by Saab Lofton
Vol 6 Issue 65

MICHAEL E. CRUTCHER has done several television commercials, was a stand-in actor in the movie Seabiscuit and can be seen in the movie Dreamer with Kurt Russell. However, Crutcher is best known for his performances and public appearances as abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Ironically, Crutcher’s birthday is September 3rd, the same day Douglass escaped from slavery.

When I met you in Seattle, it was clear that you look like Frederick Douglass, so was your natural, physical resemblance to Douglass the primary reason why you chose to star in one-man shows based on him? Or was there something more about the man that drew you to the role?
My resemblance to Mr. Douglass had nothing to do initially with my eventual portrayal. I spent thirty years in the US Army with a clean shave and a buzz haircut. I retired in 2003 and became involved with Camp Nelson, KY, a former Civil War site that was the third largest training Camp for blacks during the war. 10,000 blacks were trained there. My Great Great Grandfather was there. At one time, I was going to portray him. I am a Christian and attended a three-week long revival in which we were asked to pray for something we really wanted on the last night. I didn’t pray for money, a house, health or a car. I prayed for God to give me a vehicle with which I could reach out to our people and our youth with a message that would hopefully make them better and make our world better. Perhaps to many this sounds farfetched, but it is true. Soon I kind of began to be drawn to relentlessly study Frederick Douglass. In him I saw many things that we can take lessons from today. The speed in which I have moved is nothing short of miraculous.

What has been your personal experience with white supremacy? Have you ever been threatened in any way over your portrayal of Douglass?
In 1957, I saw tanks parked by the door steps of a school in Sturgis, KY in order to suppress violent reaction to integration. I grew up in that county. I saw many things then and I see many things now -- more subtle but still there. I attend many Civil War reenactments and see many good things, but I also sometimes see people who are still fighting the war and who are still waiting for the South to rise again.

In 1884, Douglass married Helen Pitts -- a white feminist and the daughter of an abolitionist. Douglass himself was the son of a white man and a black slave. Given that the all-too-influential black supremacist organization, the Nation of Islam, is against so-called “interracial” marriage, how do you feel about what is known as ethnic miscegenation?
I probably get hammered with “Why did you marry that white woman?” question a lot. Mr. Douglass measured a man as a man, a woman as a woman and all God’s creation. I tell people that if they are prejudiced and hateful that they might not be allowed entrance into the pearly gates. That seems to make them think.

You and I have talked about basing a movie on your portrayal of Douglass -- a fish-out-of-water story in which Douglass suddenly finds himself transported to the dawn of the 21st century. Can you give me an overview of what you imagine Douglass would like (and dislike) about the year 2008?
I feel stronger about this than anything. I can only say that my heart and the spirit of Frederick Douglass are saddened by the overall state of mind of our people. Their ignorance of their past is leading them back into slavery. Education is the only hope. I suppose there is some degree of advancement but it is now moving in the wrong direction.

The militant abolitionist John Brown tried to recruit Douglass but he turned the revolutionary down. Since hindsight is 20/20, do you suppose that was a mistake on Douglass’ part? Do you think Douglass should’ve joined Brown? How would history have been different if he had?
John Brown struck a mighty blow and was a glorious martyr, but his raid on Harper’s Ferry was then and is today not a wise move. Douglass would have been hung along with him, so who would have hammed Abraham Lincoln as Douglass did? Who would have risen to become the voice and promise of our people? Douglass’ destiny was not at the end of a rope but at the end of Douglass’ pen and on the tip of Douglass’ tongue.

This is a particularly painful interview, mainly because I really do wish I could afford to hire this man to play in a movie I wrote/directed about Frederick Douglass winding up in the 21st century. I hate feeling so helpless. America spends seventeen billion (with a ‘B’) every year on the ten thousand nuclear missiles in its arsenal, and yet, there’s supposedly no money for me to make films like this. May God have mercy on those who profit from nukes, ‘cause I sure as Hell won’t.