The great hindrance to the advancement of the free colored people is the want of unity in action. If we were to unite in the pursuit of any one object, I can imagine no possibility beyond our power to compass. But we are not united as a people; and the main reason why we are not united is that we are not equally oppressed. This is the grand secret of our lack of union.

Letter. Frederick Douglass' Papers (May 12, 1854)