Frederick Douglass, a former slave, was one of the greatest public speakers for the abolitionist cause. He was called upon to speak on July 5, 1852, at the Rochester, New York Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society, and gave his famous speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July”. Douglass explains how Independence Day is supposed to be a joyous holiday for Americans, however it is more like mockery to African-Americans because, regardless of being freed slaves, they still do not have the freedoms they deserve. Douglass uses different rhetorical strategies to convey his message and emotions to his audience, including biblical allusions. Douglass ends his speech by demonstrating a sense of hope just after painting a very dark picture of reality
In the Speech “The meaning of July Fourth for the Negro” by Fredrick Douglass repeats the word “argue” throughout his speech. For example, on line states,” would you have me argue…” “Must I argue…” this example of repletion in the speech emphasizes the fact that he must argue these points. Fredrick Douglass wants people to use logic to see that justification for slavery is wrong. Another example of repetition in the speech is the words “man and “ manhood. ”
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
Mr. Frederick Douglass’s main point was slavery and that the celebration of Independence Day did not hold the same meaning for African Americans, free and slave, as it did for whites. He expressed that asking him to speak about the Fourth of July was a mockery. Mr. Douglass criticized the concept of celebrating independence in America. He questions how one can celebrate independence when African Americans were enslaved for years, oppressed and were not granted the same liberties and rights as those granted to whites. Mr. Douglass pointed out that slavery makes the celebrating of the Fourth of July disingenuous.
Frederick Douglass presented this speech to his fellow citizens and friends on July 5, 1852; one of his more well-known in fact, titled “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?”. Frederick states at the beginning that he had been invited to speak about what the Fourth of July meant for America's black population at the time. The first half of his speech he praises and respects the founding fathers that built this country, but he soon turns to criticize America’s attitude towards slavery. He tells that the main purpose of his speech is not to give thanks and praise to these men, because what these people have done is well-known, but instead to urge his listeners to continue the work of those revolutionaries who brought freedom and democracy
Douglass' 4th of July Speech: his Ethos, Pathos, and Logos Frederick Douglass was an exceptional individual who committed his life to the abolition of slavery, which was a harsh and oppressive system that left a lasting mark on American history. Douglass, an abolitionist and former slave, worked tirelessly to put an end to this cruel practice. In Rochester, New York, on July 5, 1852, he gave a thought-provoking speech titled "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" Douglass outlined the ethical and political effects of slavery in America in this speech. His escape from bondage, which allowed him to escape slavery, inspired him to become an activist and made him a well-known speaker not only in North America but the whole world, and audiences
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.
Fredrick Douglass was an abolitionist, civil right activist, orator and journalist who fought for the equality of African Americans. In the speech What to the Slave is the Fourth of July”, he discusses the meaning of the fourth of July to America’s black population which are mostly slaves. I am going to discuss and explore two points that were given in his speech that I agree with. The first one is that Douglass feels that people who are still enslaved cannot celebrate a holiday that boasts of freedom and independence.
In 1852, Fredrick Douglass said, “This Fourth of July is yours, not mine, You may rejoice, I must mourn.” Ever since the declaration of independence held a significant reason why the United States of America is still awake. The Fourth of July was significant in his speech about why many former slaves marched throughout America. The day before and the day after was no different when racial segregation was active in the South until 1964. Stressing of debating for the freedom of millions of slaves in the south during Frederick time remained in mind.
What to the Slave is the Fourth of July Introduction The 4th of July is an important day in American history it represents freedom and is usually associated with fireworks, parades, alcohol, and concerts. Those activities more or less represent today’s culture. When Fredrick Douglass made his speech he talked about American values such as liberty, citizenship, and freedom. The irony of this speech was that at the time white Americans in the south were still participating in slave trading.
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.
Back in late 1840s and the early 1850s they were two major social movements in America with both slaves and women fighting against suffrage and advocating for equal rights. One of the crucial parts of one of these movements was in 1852 when Frederick Douglass a former fugitive slave gave a critical speech about the hypocrisy of America during independence day at a Rochester abolitionist meeting. During this speech he critically panned the very idea that Independence day has claiming it to be nothing but a hypocritical holiday meant only for the white men, he states “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
The speech from What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July? was presented by Frederick Douglass and was addressed to the Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society on July 5th of 1852 in Rochester, New York. Frederick Douglass was a man who was born into slavery in Maryland but, eventually he escaped to Massachusetts at the age of twenty one. The goals of his speeches were for the United States to have equality and the abolishment of slavery among all of it’s people. His goal of equality in current time have not been fully achieved by the United States as a whole.
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 4th of July is thought out more as a time in history divided among different opinions, “This Fourth Of July is yours, not mine” (Douglas 286). In all of history African Americans never had freedom and Douglas expressed it in that exact day. African Americans must face the fact each day that even after several years of slavery they still are not free, and will never have full equal rights, “Must I under take to prove
