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Frederick Douglass Vandalism

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In his 1852 speech “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”, Frederick Douglass voices an authentic critique on the “peculiar institution” of American slavery. In a constructive yet patriotic tone, he argues for the end of slavery through his understanding of reason and the revolutionary ideals which America was founded upon. The language that the famed abolitionist leader develops within his oration provides a framework to approach issues of race and discrimination that exist in our modern world. In particular, Douglass’ historical declamation can be employed to analyze the recent event concerning the vandalism and ethnic targeting of Asian-American students at Columbia University. Douglass, who lived during a time in which abolition was …show more content…

He asserts that there are “certain forces in operation which must inevitably work [its] downfall.” He then explains that the “obvious tendencies of the age” will lead to a world in which “no nation can now shut itself up from the surrounding world… space [will be] comparatively annihilated” (16). In other words, Douglass optimistically claims that globalization will help contribute to the end of slavery. However, the recent case of the vandalism at Columbia University points to limitations in the modern-day application of this theory 165 years later. It is evident that we are currently living in an optimum age of globalization: technological innovations and developments have provided people with access to communication and information technologies, tools that Douglass likely did not even imagine. Yet, the attack on Asian American students shows that the ideas of racial difference that were manifested in African-American slavery have remained and recalibrated across the years to encompass other minority groups. The chattel slavery of African-Americans has certainly ended; yet, other forms of enslavement—such as racial inequality and targeting—have not. In other words, Douglass’ theory of the “doom” of slavery is rendered inadequate, as many components of the peculiar institution still remain in a world of

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Douglass utilizes the repetition of “your” and the irony in the founding documents to emphasize the immorality of slavery, exposing the hypocrisy of white, slave-holding American culture in hope that the original democratic principles that America was built upon will be reestablished and enforced. Throughout his speech, Douglass addresses American customs and holidays, such as the Fourth of July, as “your National Independence”, the day of “your political freedom”, liberation by “your fathers”. By repeating “your” when referencing these national events, Douglass establishes separation between him and his white audience, displaying their differences in attitude in regards to the Fourth of July. To the white Americans, the Fourth of July is a joyous celebration of their “deliverance” from their oppressors, Britain, able to free their inalienable, natural rights to liberty and justice; however, this observance is infuriating to a slavish, black population that dwells in America, for these inherent rights

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Abolitionism was a well-known movement around the time of the Civil War and its aim was to put an end to slavery. The people of the early nineteenth century viewed the elimination of slavery in numerous ways. Some fought against the end of slavery, some appeared to mildly support the cause and yet others wholeheartedly supported the ending of slavery until their dying day. Charles Finney was a religious leader who promoted social reforms such as the abolition of slavery. He also fought for equality in education for women as well as for African Americans.

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On July 5, 1852, Frederick Douglass gave his remarks at the Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society in Rochester, New York in honor of the Fourth of July. Douglass uses his platform to highlight the irony of inviting a once enslaved man to speak on a day that celebrates freedom, liberty, and justice. To challenge Americans celebration of the Fourth of July, Douglass exposes the hypocrisy of America’s value: they preach and celebrate freedom, yet condone the enslavement of individuals on the basis of skin color. As an ingenious orator, why would Douglass carelessly praise the founding fathers and abruptly criticize the American citizens if he wanted to gain their support?

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390 Words | 2 Pages

Douglass travelled to many different states to give speech. He decided to publish his Narrative which was a dangerous decision because he was a fugitive slave. However, nothing can stop his ambitions, he didn’t only stop at America, but also came to other country like Ireland and Britain to give lecture. In London, he had to face discrimination by the white people, and had many chances to meet great people to learn how to improve his speeches such as Lord Brougham, and he also had many opportunities to work with the leaders who contributed to end the slavery system. Douglass made friends with several people who had the same thinking with him about abolishing slavery.

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873 Words | 4 Pages

Both King and Douglass were advocating for the same thing: their constitutional sanction of freedom. Both men, in their respective letters touch upon parallel thoughts and beliefs that revolve around the much bigger topic of racial inequality and discrimination. Both men were discriminated against and they talk about their experiences and plight in their very distinctive yet special styles. Born in the year 1817, in an era of open and unashamed slave trade, Frederick Douglass’s story begins as a serf to Mrs. Hugh in the city of Maryland.

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Once he escaped slavery in Maryland, Douglass began to lead the abolitionist movement that were taking place in New York and the state of Massachusetts. His leadership, writings, and use of voice allowed for Douglass to achieve and receive great recognition. In New York, Douglass was asked to give a speech to a crowd of believers and supporters of the abolitionist movement. The name of this speech was called, “What to the slave is the Fourth of July?” In this speech, Douglass explains how although the fourth of July may appear to be a happy and exciting holiday for where people can celebrate their independence, it is a sad day for African Americans.

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Frederick Douglass was born into slavery as the son of a white slave master father and a black slave mother in Maryland in 1818. He escaped from slavery in 1838 because of his literacy. It was only due to his ability to read, write, and think critically that Frederick Douglass was able to find his way form enslavement to freedom. Life before learning how to read and write for Douglass was bad because he wasn’t given enough to eat. “I was seldom whipped by my old master, and suffered little from anything else than hunger and cold” (Douglass 8).

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1049 Words | 5 Pages

Group Essay on Frederick Douglass “That this little book may do something toward throwing light on the American slave system”, and that Frederick Douglass does in his eponymous autobiography. Douglass throws light by dispelling the myths of the slave system, which received support from all parts of society. To dispel these myths Douglass begins to construct an argument composed around a series of rhetorical appeals and devices. Douglass illustrates that slavery is dehumanizing, corrupting, and promotes Christian hypocrisy. Using telling details, Douglass describes the dehumanizing effects of the slave system which condones the treatment of human beings as property.

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498 Words | 2 Pages

The Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass shows the imbalance of power between slaves and their masters. In his book, Douglass proves that slavery is a destructive force not only to the slaves, but also for the slaveholders. “Poison of the irresponsible power” that masters have upon their slaves that are dehumanizing and shameless, have changed the masters themselves and their morality(Douglass 39). This amount of power and control in contact with one man breaks the kindest heart and the purest thoughts turning the person evil and corrupt. Douglass uses flashbacks that illustrate the emotions that declare the negative effects of slavery.

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392 Words | 2 Pages

The legendary abolitionist and orator Frederick Douglass was one of the most important social reformers of the nineteenth century. Being born into slavery on a Maryland Eastern Shore plantation to his mother, Harriet Bailey, and a white man, most likely Douglass’s first master was the starting point of his rise against the enslavement of African-Americans. Nearly 200 years after Douglass’s birth and 122 years after his death, The social activist’s name and accomplishments continue to inspire the progression of African-American youth in modern society. Through his ability to overcome obstacles, his strive for a better life through education, and his success despite humble beginnings, Frederick Douglass’s aspirations stretched his influence through

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1642 Words | 7 Pages

From this, derives a bond with the reader that pushes their understanding of the evil nature of slavery that society deemed appropriate therefore enhancing their understanding of history. While only glossed over in most classroom settings of the twenty-first century, students often neglect the sad but true reality that the backbone of slavery, was the dehumanization of an entire race of people. To create a group of individuals known for their extreme oppression derived from slavery, required plantation owner’s of the South to constantly embedded certain values into the lives of their slaves. To talk back means to be whipped.

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803 Words | 4 Pages

Score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity. But 100 years later, the Negro still is not free.” ( King, para.

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257 Words | 2 Pages

With this, Douglass is addressing the topic of slavery and whether to abolish it or not. And goes about telling the hardships he went through.

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