“What to the Slave, is the Fourth of July” is a powerful testament of American hypocrisy. To read—let alone be present while the speech was delivered—would bring an overwhelming surge of shame and embarrassment of my actions (i.e. partaking in the active slave trade or lack of abolitionist support). Though many verses from this work are undeniably gut wrenching to the audience, the most thought provoking and life altering was when Douglass stated plainly, “the sunlight that brought life and healing to you, has brought stripes and death to me. This Fourth of July is yours, not mine.”…
In his speech, which was later published as The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro Frederick Douglass explores the injustices that plagued the African-American community during the time period in which he lived. Douglass questioned, “Are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence, extended to us?” These principles, “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” were not granted to the African-American population. In regards to the Fourth of July, Douglass stated that the white Americans “shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery”. Therefore, through…
Frederick Douglass’ purpose of writing “Fourth of July Oration” was to show the failure of America not living up to it’s core of liberty for all men. Douglass focuses on the aspect that the Fourth of July celebration not able to truly be celebrated by all citizens. Some stylistics choices made by Douglass, I believe, made his piece successful. However there were choices he made weakening his argument.…
In the speech “ What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” given by Frederick Douglass, he announces his goals for the future men and women of the United States. Douglass is a well known, powerful public speaker who was born into slavery then later escaped at the age of twenty one. On the day of his speech, he addresses an audience at the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society during a time where people of the United States visioned the total abolition of slavery as a profound cause. He speaks against slavery as well as pushes for equality of all people.…
I thought that it was clever of Fredrick Douglass to use this great opportunity to let America know that this is a celebration of White independence, not Black independence. He let them know that the "white" Fourth of July has a completely different meaning to the Black men and women who are still slaves for the white men who yet gain their freedom.…
Slavery has always been a very hot topic when it comes to American history. All textbooks and historians would agree that slavery is the reason the Southern states prospered. Slaves were considered property and not people; it's crazy to think you wouldn't then count them as anything but a whole person. The people were already enslaved and now they were being used as numbers. Each State had their own reasons for wanting to use the slaves to their advantage.…
The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro “This Fourth July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn.” (Douglass, 337). In This speech which was delivered in 1852, by Frederick Douglass titled "The Meaning of Fourth of July for the Negro" covers into the regular Realism type. This speech was delivered to a white audience, which was a reflection of Realism.…
In Douglass’ speech, his tone mainly appeals to emotions. He engages the listeners emotionally by stating his opinion over the topic of slavery. Douglass states, “My subject, then, fellow-citizens, is AMERICAN SLAVERY. I shall see this day and its popular characteristics from the slave’s point of view,” (52-54). This quote from his speech goes to show that he is standing up as a person who has actually experienced times of slavery. There is a great deal of credibility in Douglass’ writing because he refers to actual encounters that the African-American’s had dealt with in the way they were being treated. “I say it with a sad sense of the disparity between us. I am not included within the pale of this glorious anniversary! Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us,” (19-22). Douglass is implying that he, along with the rest of the former slaves, do not feel that they are included in the celebration of the Fourth of July. He and the former slaves feel this way because even though they are said to have freedom, the people in the country…
Slavery was against the Declaration of Independence. As a human being, freedom is essential and important element in one’s life. Without freedom, the consequence will be harm for both personal life and entire society. Douglass introduces in detail that slaves cannot have neither rights nor own wishes of doing things. In the text, “'if you give a nigger an inch, he will take an ell. A nigger should know nothing but to obey his master-to do as he is told to do” (Chapter 6) indicates that masters did not want to teach Douglass knowledge along with read and write. Knowledge is an important key to open up the door of freedom and the necessary step to fright for independent. Many stores show once slaves are educated, their longings for truth will…
To Frederick Douglass the holiday is more of a holiday to be celebrated by the white people. In the text it says, “The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity and independence, bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you, not me.” In the time that Douglass gave this speech he thought that only white people should celebrate the fourth of july because they inherit freedom, and it comes with the color of their skin. Today sadly American treats all races different from each other. African Americans are seen as unbehaved and violent, Asians are seen as smart, and pakistani and Arab people are seen a terrorist. The list of stereotypes go on and on, how can you celebrate a holiday meant for freedom when you're not even free of false judgement from other Americans nor are you free from the way you are treated based on your race. I hope that one day that America as a whole would not classify or treat races differently base on the stereotypes or the actions of others. I hope that one day everyone would be able to celebrate the fourth of July with pride because they are…
In his essay, Douglas explains that Americans praising this holiday are mocking slavery. He states that, “this Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn. To drag a man in fetters into the grand illuminated temple of liberty, and call upon him to join you in joyous anthems were inhuman mockery and sacrilegious irony.” (Douglas) He continues on slavery and the holiday by starting that on July 4, that there are still slaves who are still suffering. If he forgets that then it will be treachery. Douglas declares, “If I do forget, if I do not remember those bleeding children of sorrow this day “may my right hand forget her cunning, and may my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth.” [Psalms 137:6]” (Douglas) He is saying this holiday is not for African Americans because they were still slaves.…
The Meaning of Fourth of July for the Negro by Fredrick Douglass is one of Douglass’s most famous speeches. In his speech, Douglass speaks about what Fourth of July is like for an African American, and argues points that are still relevant today on why African Americans are equal to the white man.…
The Fourth of July is an American tradition/ritual that comes from the original thirteen colonies declaring independence from Great Britain, but now let me tell you in more detail. On July 4, 1776, the thirteen colonies claimed their independence from England, an event which eventually led to the formation of the United States. Each year on July 4th, also known as Independence Day, Americans celebrate this historic event. Conflict between the colonies and England was already a year old when the colonies convened a Continental Congress in Philadelphia in the summer of 1776. In a June 7 session in the Pennsylvania State House (later Independence Hall), Richard Henry Lee of Virginia presented a resolution with the famous words: "Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved."…
Slavery in the American South describes struggles that slaves went through. This includes working conditions and the treatment of slaves.…
During the American Revolution in the 1770s, African Americans soldiers participated in valor. Some were fighting for the Britain colonialists while others were fighting for American patriots in their struggle for independence. The slaves fought alongside their masters so that they could get human rights and freedoms enjoyed by other Americans. During this time, slavery was at peak, and most African Americans were under servitude and gross abuse of their rights (Matthews 369). Slaves imported from Africa and other parts of the world were sold to slave masters especially in the North. When the revolutionary war ended, most soldiers who participated in the war for both sides won their freedom. There is a rich history on the role of slaves in the…