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A history essay about slavery
What to the slave is the 4th of july
Slavery a world history
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More handpicked essays just for you.
A history essay about slavery
What to the slave is the 4th of july
Slavery a world history
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: A history essay about slavery
In July of 1852, Frederick Douglass prepares a speech known as The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro. Douglass was a former slave of the 19th century and soon became a leader during the Abolitionist Movement. In his speech, he argues that the Fourth of July is the darkest as well as most mournful day for slaves. Douglass then establishes his argument with distinct rhetorical strategies to make the audience feel the sorrow of which slaves felt. Through the use of allusion, sarcasm, and emotional appeal, Douglass reaches out to the listener to request a change in slavery.
An American Slave, Frederick Douglass, in his speech, “What To The Slave Is The 4th Of July?”, denigrates the Fourth of July and what it’s meaning is and what it represents. Douglass’s purpose is to show his audience the meaning of Fourth of July to slaves. He adopts a pressing tone in order to show what slaves think and feel about the Fourth of July in his speech to the President, friends and the people of the US. Douglass throughout his speech lionizes the impact that Fourth of July has on slaves. According to his speech he says, “Attend the auction;see men examined like horses;see forms of women rudely and brutally exposed to the hocking gaze of American slave-buyers.
In his speech, “What to a Slave is the Fourth of July?,” Douglass creates a strong piece through structure, rhetoric, carefully crafted arguments. In the first section of his speech, Douglass
Mr.Douglass’ speech in 1852 reveals that slaves should not celebrate Fourth of July because they did not have their freedom. Slaves did not know the meaning of Fourth of July. In Douglass’ speech he state, “I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty” means that slaves was
The idea of freedom has always been an ever changing concept, its definition always being redefined to encompass more people under its protection. In Frederick Douglass's speech, “What to the slave is the fourth of July,” he touches on the general idea of freedom as it pertains to the enslaved. However, his intent extends further than just addressing the hypocrisy of the American holiday. He uses his speech as a means to address the constructs of how the country colonizes and disrespects the black mind. Douglass’s diction in his speech is overly flowery, with the excuse that as a black man he must be a little pompous to display his knowledge and credibility through spoken word.
Frederick Douglass's speech was powerful and full of emotions that expressed how he felt about the institution of slavery. The 4th of July celebrates the independence and freedom of those who are white. It is not the freedom of the enslaved population that is claimed to be the property of others. The Independence of Americans is not the true freedom of the enslaved. Slavery was a cruel injustice against a race that provoked no one.
“The Hypocrisy of American Slavery: Slavery at its best” Frederick Douglass an activist for anti racism and also an abolitionist’s speech “The Hypocrisy of Slavery” was given on the occasion of celebrating the independence day. Here, in this speech he actually brought out some questions like why we should celebrate Independence Day while almost four million people were kept chained as a slave. He actually mocked the fact of the people of America’s double standards which is that they are singing out the song of liberty, on the other hand holding the chain of slavery. Frederick Douglass, a former American-African slave who managed to escape from his slavery and later on became an abolitionist gave this speech on Fourth of July,
A Relentless Fight for Freedom for all: A Response to the Meaning of the July Fourth for the Negro In his July 5th, 1852 speech, “The Meaning of the July Fourth for the Negro”, Frederick Douglass addresses the issue of American Slavery, a provocative stumbling block in American history. In the opening segment, Douglass gracefully conveys to his audience, a great sense of admiration of respect for the Founding Fathers of the United States, the original signers responsible for the Declaration of Independence. This powerful document was initially constructed in part to be regarded and abided by as the statement of freedom and liberty to all citizens in America. Although Douglass appears to have faith in in the Declaration of Independence and
So to the African American community in the south the 4th of July was just another day because unless you lived in the north you didn’t get to experience these freedoms that whites enjoyed. Fredrick Douglass was first invited to do a speech in Rochester, New York while addressing the Rochester Ladies Antislavery Society. It’s clear from the beginning of the speech that Fredrick appears very nervous and actually apologies to
What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July? Throughout his sermon, What to the Slave is the Fourth of July, Fredrick Douglass devotedly argued that to the slave and even the liberated African American, the Fourth of July was nothing more than a holiday of a mockery of the crudest kind. Through his use of several rhetorical devices and strategies, Douglass conveyed his perspective on the concerning matter as if he were the voice of the still enslaved, both physically and logically. Prevalently, he presented an effectively argued point using ethos, logos, and pathos through credible appeals, convincing facts and statistics, and by successfully employing emotional appeals.
Douglas refused to give his speech on July 4th of that year, stating that was not a free time for his people (Douglas). Speaking of the African American community, Douglas felt the heartfelt terms used when referring to America’s Independence Day, did not correctly describe the emotions and struggles faced by the black people of this period. Terms used that would relate directly to The Fourth of July, such as happiness, freedom, citizenship, and liberty were terms that held no value towards African Americans, at all. The African American people of this time were not free, they were not citizens, they did not portray and emotions of happiness, and did not reflect any nature of liberty towards their country. These were all tones and moods set in motion by the institution of slavery, Douglas being an abolitionist believed, that institution needed to be abolished so the country as a whole, could properly flourish (Douglas).
Douglass establishes his credibility and authority on the issue of slavery and inequality in the United States by drawing on his own experience and expertise. He begins the speech by introducing himself as a former slave and expressing his sadness and disappointment at the Fourth of July festivities which celebrate the nation’s independence while ignoring the ongoing oppression of African Americans. He says, “I am not included within the pale of this glorious anniversary! Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us.” By acknowledging his own identity as a former slave, Douglass gives himself immediate credibility on the issue of slavery and inequality.
In 1776, on July 4th, the 13 English colonies officially declared their freedom from England. However, as the years progressed, slavery became incorporated into everyday American life. In 1852, Frederick Douglass, a former slave, was called upon to deliver a speech to celebrate America’s independence; however, he censured Americans for saying they were a “country of the free”. In the speech, Hypocrisy of American Slavery, Frederick Douglass declares that Americans should not be celebrating their freedom when there are slaves living in the country. He uses emotional appeal, ethical appeal, and rhetorical questions to convince his audience that Americans are wrong celebrating freedom on the 4th of July when slavery exists in their country.
In Frederick Douglass’s The Meaning of Fourth of July for the Negro, he exposes the hypocrisy and iniquity that is infused into considerably one of the most prolific American moments in history known as The Fourth of July. Douglass, who was a former slave that eventually reached freedom, was invited to speak about what Fourth of July meant for the black population within America. Although Douglass provided much gratitude to the Founding Fathers for their courage and ability to oppose oppressive systems, he criticizes the American country for its involvement within slavery. Slavery served as the foundation that constructed America, allowing for it fuel the economy and develop into a cultural and political norm within society.
The fourth of July and slaves really don’t mix. Frederick douglass was born as a slave and he does a speech on the fourth of july and they are thinking that he is going to give a whora speech but he dont do that it 's the complete opposite of what they thought. In frederick douglass, Hypocrisy of American Slavery he attacks the hypocrisy of a nation celebrating freedom and independence with speeches, parades and platitudes, while, within its borders, nearly four million humans were being kept as slaves. Overall douglass has explained his speech through emotional,ethical,logical appeal and through rhetorical questions.