On July 5th, 1852, a man named Frederick Douglass gave a speech to many White abolitionists in Rochester, New York at Corinthian Hall. Douglass used this day not for celebration or remembrance of the greatness of our country's history, but to remind people that millions of Black Americans were still enslaved. For a holiday that is supposed to honor the freedom won, our country’s actions showed the exact opposite. This speech has been revered for its depiction of hypocrisy regarding Americans and our country’s history. Douglass’ testimony and words affected masses of people and he stood as a figurehead for the abolitionist movement. His image represented hope and inspiration, while his voice shaped the way we think about social issues such as …show more content…
Douglass was born to an enslaved woman on the eastern coast of Maryland, in February 1818. His mother tragically passed away in slavery while in a forced labor camp. When Douglass was just eight years old, he was sold to a family in Baltimore. He taught himself how to read and write early since he was not allowed to go to school or interact with other educated children. What sparked his love for speaking and writing was a book called The Columbian Orator. This is a collection of speeches, debates, and writings all on the concept of natural rights. This book was an important part of his life as it helped shape his understanding and skills in speaking on freedom and rights for enslaved people. As he read and expanded his knowledge, he started rebelling against the slave owners intensely. He would educate his fellow slaves and fight with slave owners both verbally and physically. On his way back to Baltimore after a fight with his enslaver, Frederick met a woman named Anna Murray who was a major contributor to how he gained his