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This Fourth Of July Is Yours Not Me Analysis

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Racism was expanding and freedom was corrupt in the 1960’s and segregation was the thing of the century. The struggle of freedom in this time was almost impossible for African Americans to grasp on. Still to this day in American we see racism instead of equality. African Americans have a root in history of struggle for freedom and equal rights in which we still continue to make history. Many African Americans like Douglas think the 4th of July isn’t a memory of freedom. 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 …show more content…

He explained the fight against the whites, and that African Americans need to do something soon about racism, or they will be stuck between the ballet and the bullet, “if we do not do something real soon, I think you’ll have to agree that we are going to be forced to either use the ballet or the bullet” (Malcolm 116). With that being said, Malcolm X believes that the African Americans have to make a major decision and stand up for what is right. Malcolm X believed that it is time to push away segregation and take things into their own hands, “It got to be the ballot or the bullet, the ballot or the bullet. If you’re afraid to use an expression like that, you should go get back in the cotton patch” (Malcolm 116). Malcolm believed that if they didn’t start fighting for equality now, then they should just get back to being a slave and not fight for freedom. He believed they needed to fight for freedom with expression and a brave mind, or they shouldn’t fight at

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Imagine you were a slave in the 1850’s, and were asked to celebrate the Fourth of July, despite the fact that you still didn’t have your own freedom. Would you do it? Frederick Douglass stands up to this question, when he gives his, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July”, speech in 1852. Douglass is not only speaking to a crowd of abolitionists, but also a crowd filled with anti abolitionists. Douglass is speaking, to share his bold argument on this topic, and support anti slavery.

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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.

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In 1852, famous abolitionist Douglas spoke eloquently about how the slaves felt about the 4th of July: it was quite an irony. The 4th of July celebrates the great ideas of liberty and justice for all yet the slaves had none of those rights (Doc G). In 1857 the Dred Scott case was decided and it was ruled that slaves were not and could not become citizens; slavery was ruled as legal (Doc L and LB).

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Many people in America take their freedoms for granted and fail to realize that some people don’t share those freedoms. Fredrick Douglass intended to remind Americans that the Fourth of July is not a day of celebration for African Americans, but a day of mourning. Douglass uses varied syntax, rhetorical questions, and appeals to emotions and logic to prove that slaves are human and that their manhood should be recognized, and to show the irony behind asking a slave to speak at a celebration of independence. Douglass uses short syntax to display the differences between himself and his audience, as well as long syntax to exaggerate the neverending struggles of African American slaves. Douglass states “I am not that man.”

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To many, the Fourth of July was a day to celebrate the anniversary of the United States signing the Declaration of Independence in 1776. However, to others it was a day to realize the injustices and brutality that many people lived in. Frederick Douglass was not only an African American political activist, but also an extraordinary speaker who desired to abolish slavery. He addressed the problem of American slavery from a slave 's point of view throughout his notorious Independence Day Speech At Rochester when he said, “What, to the American slave, is your Fourth of July? I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim.”

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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.

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Douglass expresses to his spectators, while they dwell in the luxurious ability to partake in this joyous celebration of freedom for a nation, not everyone in that nation is sharing in the celebration. In The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro, he writes “The blessings in which you, this day, rejoice, are not enjoyed in common. The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity and independence bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you and not by me. This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn” (Douglass 1).

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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.

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The speech opened the eyes of many blacks, inspiring a change to begin to occur. Through analogies, metaphors, and a vitriolic and urgent tone, Malcolm X concisely and clearly informs the audience of their mistreatment and encourages them to get their just deserts. X’s intelligence, passion, and oratorical skills helped make “The Ballot or the Bullet” one of the greatest rhetorical acts in black history. This phrase, “The Ballot or the Bullet”, truly defines Malcolm X’s stance on the current treatment of blacks and how he believes a violent response is necessary when all other means of communication are ignored or

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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).

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Many people when they hear the words “Fourth of July” they think about fireworks, cookouts, and sparklers! During the 1850’s it is a day that reminded many of the horrors and injustices in the world. On July 4, 1852 Frederick Douglass, a former American slave and an abolitionist leader, spoke in Rochester, New York about the affectation of celebrating independence. In his speech, “The Hypocrisy of American Slavery” he claims celebrating independence when there are slaves widespread is unethical. To convince the reader of his claim he uses rhetorical questions, word choice and anthesis in hopes to shed light and spark action on the wrongful situation.

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559 Words | 3 Pages

Malcolm was not a man who believed that the problem of the African Americans would be solved through a peaceful, quiet means and nuances, he believed the problem has graduated through the centuries and has come to a stage when the assertion of African Americans’ existence as humans has to be forcefully done or never. Malcolm’s methods were mainly campaigns and speeches aimed at restoring the dignity of the black man, his confidence in himself and a complete freedom as Americans

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989 Words | 4 Pages

African american rights were the main concern of many people, along with government corruption and the unwillingness to help. Malcolm X was no banal man he was a extravagant civil rights speaker, he showed the truth on how coming together can put the end to African American indifference. Due to the lack of government the dichotomy between african americans and the white men was still a major problem ; as African americans needed to put and end to the separation and earn civil rights. Malcolm speaks out to all who are willing to obtain their civil rights. ”In Ballot or Bullet” Malcolm X uses Anaphora, Antithesis, Ethical Appeal, Word choice, and Rhetorical question to show the lack of support from government and how coming together can help fight back.

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762 Words | 4 Pages

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.

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1024 Words | 5 Pages

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.

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