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Similarities Between Douglass And Fredrick Henry

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Perception on life can differ from person to person, but can also be close to the same thing. Two very good examples of this are Patrick Henry’s Speech to the Virginia Convention and “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” by Frederick Douglas. Both of these texts show Freedom is worth fighting for no matter the cost. Henry’s piece is talking about establishing a 100% free and independent country without slavery. Although these texts are focusing on freedom from different historical points of view and time, they are equally persuasive with their passion for liberty. In Frederick Douglass’ “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” He asks the rhetorical question “are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that the declaration of Independence, extended to us?” This question ponders the idea of “freedom” and how accessible it is to all Americans. Does the right of freedom see that color, gender, money or beliefs do not matter, or is it blinded by the fact that some believe not all live and breathe just like themselves? Douglass asked that question to remind the people to ask themselves to remember what the constitutional rights are and what …show more content…

Without these two inspirational men going after what was right the world that is known today would not be the same. Douglass and Henry both use figures of speech and deep thoughts to get their points through, these points can help one connect the world that was known then to the world known today. “Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death” (Henry 85). “...They however gradually flow back to the same old channel and flow on as serenely as ever ... As with rivers so with nations” (Douglass 1-2). These two quotes pull everything in life and in the moments together by stating that every pathway is the roadmap to

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Summary Of Frederick Douglass Using The Toulmin Model

822 Words | 4 Pages

“Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground,” stated by Frederick Douglass. Douglass tries to make “hyprocaties” understand that those who want free need to work for it if they don’t work for it they will only make fools of themselves. Frederick Douglass was an American slave who bought his own freedom in order to become a free man, and he states this type of quotes to make slaves fight for their rights. Using the Toulmin Model, readers can discern the main claim is that Americans are hypocrites when they celebrate Independence day on the grounds that they still have slaves and analyze other elements of argumentation such as many Americans still encouraging slavery.

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Essay Comparing Frederick Douglass And Richard Wright

440 Words | 2 Pages

…This knowledge opened my eyes to the horrible pit…Once awakened by the silver trump of knowledge. Liberty...”. After finishing the book, which shed light on freedom, Douglass’s fire is lit. The speeches and dialogues anger him but also push him to realize that liberty is something he could have and something he

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Similarities And Differences Of Martin Luther King Jr And Frederick Douglass

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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Who Stole The Cookie Jar, By Frederick Douglass

1830 Words | 8 Pages

"Are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence, extended to us [blacks]?” (Foner 1950). As Frederick Douglass proclaimed this to a crowd of five hundred attendees on July 5, 1852, he gained the attention of the spectators. Although he was invited to speak about what the fourth of July means for the Black population, Douglass accentuated much more. Frederick Douglass respectfully addressed how the nation is young, but can still undergo positive changes.

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What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July Rhetorical Analysis

464 Words | 2 Pages

Throughout Douglass's speech, he exceeds expectations by adding excellent examples of ethos, pathos, and unique tone. These examples help the audience see his viewpoints and helps him connect with them. The literary devices used in his speech “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”, aided in his fight against

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The Influence Of Douglass On Great Britain In My Bondage And My Freedom

1493 Words | 6 Pages

Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness was promised to all American citizens in the constitution. In Douglass’s My Bondage and My Freedom, as well as his 1852 speech, The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro, he makes it crystal clear that free black americans, the individuals whose sweat and tears built America, were exempt from these promises. Interestly enough, the same rights and treatments that Douglass deserved in America, he enjoyed during his hiatus as an orator in Great Britain. As the mother country of America, one would expect the experience in both countries to be similar.

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This Fourth Of July Fourth For The Negro Analysis

174 Words | 1 Pages

Though America is built on strong foundations such as liberty and independence, the trials of slavery leads one to conclude that freedom for one does not necessarily mean freedom for all. In the speech “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro” by Frederick Douglass, he explains how “The sunlight that brought life and healing to you, has brought stripes and death to me” (Douglass n.pag). The fourth of July to a white person means a day of celebration and independence, whereas to an African American slave there was a constant reminder of the struggle they went through. Continuing on, Douglass also states how “This Fourth [of] July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn” (Douglass n.pag).

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Meaning Of The July Fourth For The Negro By Frederick Douglass

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One of the strategies Douglass uses to convince his audience slavery should be abolished is by “calling out American hypocrisy in his Fourth of July oration” (Mercieca 1). He shames them with no remorse. He speaks on the opposite treatments that enable whites to live in a state of freedom and liberty, while the blacks are living in a state of bondage. As the audience listens, he reminds them, there are men, women and children still held hostages to the chains of

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Summary Of Frederick Douglass Speech

445 Words | 2 Pages

Douglass's lived in the days of slavery. American is false to the past, false to the present, and solemnly binds herself to be false to the future. He experienced the situations firsthand. In the name of humanity which is outraged, in the name of liberty which is fettered, in the name of the constitution and the Bible. Douglass’s commanded that one word shall escape any man, whose judgement is not blinded by prejudice, or the heart of a slaveholder.

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Frederick Douglass Use And Abuse Of Power Essay

498 Words | 2 Pages

At last, Douglass brings the point of freedom and justice the one person has every right to him than any other, and no man has the authority to rule over

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Rhetorical Analysis Essay On A Vindication Of The Rights Of Women

2333 Words | 10 Pages

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.

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Rhetorical Analysis Of Hypocrisy Of American Slavery

1025 Words | 5 Pages

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.

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What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July Essay

636 Words | 3 Pages

Freedom is the primary ideal upon which America was founded. It is the tenet most cherished by the original colonists; it is a pillar upon which they built the new government. However, freedom was denied to a large part of America's citizens for a long time. Frederick Douglas was one of the greatest activists for African-American freedom of the 19th century; he used literary works and speeches, instead of violence, to achieve his goals. In his piece "What, to the Slave, is the Fourth of July?"

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John Locke's Interpretation Of Freedom And Liberty

918 Words | 4 Pages

God and the forward march of history, Douglass believed, would bring the realization of truth, justice, and the brotherhood of man. As such, equality is not just necessary for the establishment of government but is also a requisite in maintaining a safe and stable nation. Most importantly, upon entering society individuals are required to alienate a modicum of freedom and liberty, but full equality can (theoretically) never be compromised. This, of course, will impact the state and inevitably require a

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John Locke Freedom

1345 Words | 6 Pages

In fact, in western tradition, freedom is often tied with inequality and violence and defined in opposition to forms of enslavement and other oppression, which refers to impediments based on membership in a group, particularly if said group has historically lacked power. Frederick Douglass illustrates this in a speech on “what to the slave is the 4th of July?” He views the U.S. Constitution as a “glorious liberty document” (Douglass), but also acknowledges how the existence of slavery still legally occurred despite flagrant transgressions on the principles of freedom the document says it upholds. Douglass, who was asked to give a patriotic speech in celebration of the holiday by what would be considered a relatively progressive group of abolitionists, invites and even requires his hosts to consider the hypocrisy of this request and how the failings of the system make him unable to fulfill their request and is an offense against the injustice his people have suffered as slaves. One can see that there are problems with varying degrees of state involvement in maintaining and limiting freedom, and there is no clear answer on how freedom should be defined, or if there is even a definition that should be had of it.

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