Fredrick Douglas : The Meaning Of July Fourth For The Negro

Frederick Douglass was a freed slave in the 1800’s who was famous for his ability to read and write, uncommon of a black man at the time. On July 4th, 1852, he gave a speech to citizens of the United States. In this speech, he called out the “hypocrisy of the nation”(Douglass), questioning the nation's treatment of slaves on a supposed day of independence. Frederick Douglass effectively uses rhetorical strategies to construct his argument and expose the hypocrisy of the nation.

On July 5th of 1852, the Ladies Antislavery Society of Rochester requested that emancipated slave, Fredrick Douglass, speak for their celebration of the United States’ national independence. Douglass accepted this request and presented a powerful speech that explained and argued his true beliefs and feelings concerning this event. He considered their decision to request him as a speaker on that day to be a mockery of his past and of the ongoing status of blacks as slaves in America at the time. Nevertheless, Douglass skillfully constructed his speech utilizing various methods that forced his audience to take him seriously and think twice about the issue of slavery in America. His passion about the subject, his ability to captivate his

How does Fredrick Douglass answer the question: “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”

The Civil War is widely regarded as the bloodiest war in US history. Roughly 620,000 soldiers died fighting both for and against the abolition of slavery. During this era, many advocates for the abolition of slavery gave speeches in order to convince the nation of the evils of the institution of slavery. One of the most important of these advocates was a former slave named Frederick Douglass who became literate while a slave and gave many speeches to many different audiences. In Frederick Douglass’ speech to the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society on July 5, 1852, entitled ¨What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?¨, he presents his goals of abolishing slavery and enforcing equality between people of color and white people. Although legally it appears that his goals have been accomplished, the mindset and inequality of Douglass’ time still exists, and it is becoming more prevalent in the US.

Fedrick Douglass, former slave and leader of the 19th Century Abolitionist Movement, in his speech “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July,” he asks his fellow-citizens what the Fourth of July is to a former slave, during Independence Day, at Rochester in 1852. In his speech, Douglass asks what does he and the people he represents have to do with the new found national independence. He speaks about the injustice his people go through because of the sole reason that Independence Day doesn’t apply to them and how there is no point in arguing this point. In “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July,” Fedrick Douglass effectively uses two rhetorical appeals, pathos, and logos, to inform the public that the Fourth of July was not his but of the

Fredrick Douglass, in his speech What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?, asserts that slavery is keeping the United States from properly honoring the founders of their nation on Independence Day. Douglass attacks the American church, openly defiles the American slavery system, and uses the words of America’s forefathers to convince the population of American slaveholders and politicians that slavery must be abolished. He uses aggressive, accusatory diction, gory imagery, and specific examples from the United States Constitution to argue his cause.

Frederick Douglass was one of the staples in African American history and was a well-educated anti-slavery activist that was passionate in African American’s freedom. At a young age, Douglass was thrust into the world of slavery but, nevertheless, was able to escape enslavement and become a powerful, anti-slavery and civil rights activist. Born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, the abolitionist who was able to finally become a free man at the age of 20, was a prominent figure in African American history. After escaping to freedom, Frederick Bailey changed his name to what became the revered, intelligent lecturer and public speaker, Frederick Douglass. He composed several literary works, including A Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave and The Heroic Slave. He also delivered an address called, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” in Rochester, New York on July 5th, 1852. Aiding former President Abraham Lincoln after the Emancipation Proclamation, he also helped to recruit Black troops into the Union Army (“Notable Visitors: Frederick Douglass,” 2002-2015). He married Anna Murray in 1838 after they gained freedom, thus going on to have five children together (“Frequently Asked Questions,” 2015). They remained married until her death in 1882 (“Frequently Asked Questions,” 2015). Though there were many occurrences where Douglass could have given up on the wants for freedom, he never completely lost hope, nor

Frederick Douglass touches on the fight for African-American rights in the 1852 America in his writing“What to the Slave is the Fourth of July” speech, he uses rhetorical devices in order to build and establish an argument. In his speech, his intention is to make slavery completely abolished . Frederick Douglass believes that America’s independence celebration on the fourth of July is not right when not all American’s truly have that right because of slavery. Through his use of three rhetorical devices, ethos, pathos, and logos, he gradually persuades the audience into believing that black people are deserving of the same rights as white men do.

Born a slave in Maryland but managed to escape in 1838 was one of the most influential African American leader, Frederick Douglass. A person who battled assiduously for the abolishment of slavery. His speech “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro” is only one of his many great efforts to putting an end to slavery. The true subject matter of his speech is American slavery however in particular it addressed the hypocrisy of American slavery. Douglass’s main argument in regards to his speech is followed by this rhetorical question “Are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence, extended to us?” which sets up for the thesis “This Fourth of July is yours, not mine.” Meaning that celebrating the fourth of July is all about independence and freedom but it is ironic how America reinforces this however following a system of trading slaves- snatching away the black people’s freedom instead.

In “The History Place,” great speeches collection, “The Hypocrisy of American Slavery,” Frederick Douglass questions, why is that the black negro population is still under the life as slaves. He argues to his fellow citizens that, it is redundant to have wrote the, “Declaration of Independence,” and not let everyone in America become of freedom. His reasoning for this speech is to tell people that, slavery should be demolished, and wiped away from the world's surface. Mr. Douglass argues, that discrimination and segregation should not go forth in our society. He uses a variety of emotional, ethical, and logical appeals to attain his motive that, everyone is human and should all be treated equally and fairly.

Fredrick Douglass stood in front of the Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society on July 5th, 1852. Douglass’ speech, What to the Slave is the Fourth of July, touches on the universal theme of racial injustice. He spoke passionately, and deliberately about the cruel life as a slave, while americans celebrated being free when they couldn’t even free people in their own country. He captured the attention of everyone standing in Rochester, New York. 153 years laters on July 11th, 2005, Marie Fatayi- Williams delivered a powerful, moving speech, Straight From the Heart. Every listener in London stood listening and unconsciously gravitating to her story and feeling her exact emotions. She stood heart broken over the loss of her innocent son, because of evil acts of terrorism. Two completely different people. Two completely different topics. Though their subjects are polar opposites, both speaker employ ethos and pathos to appeal to their audiences and connect to them through the heartlessness, and hatred of people and their actions.

Another brilliant work by Frederick Douglass, “What to the Slave is the fourth of July?” is a speech that addresses and speaks to the frustration caused by the distinction created between the idealistic and real United States. This clear contrast is represented in his organization of his speech––one that starts with

On July 5th of 1852, Fredrick Douglass gave a speech to a mainly female audience at the Rochester Anti-Slavery Sewing society rally.  This speech is famously known as “What to the slave is the fourth of July?”.  This speech is known for being one of the most eloquent and well-spoken anti-slavery speeches of its time.  He starts by discussing the importance of the fourth of July to the white men who are able to experience the entirety of freedom in America.  He then counters what he earlier said by saying that a man who is not fully free has not been liberated and doesn’t have anything to celebrate.  This speech heavily focused on issues such as human rights and human security, as well as beliefs from the enlightenment movement, which were

yet was taught to read and write. Frederick later escaped to New York and began touring around the country. he was an abolitionist, advocate for equal rights and was a part of the anti slavery society. He spoke on July 5, 1852, in Rochester, New York. His speech was called 'The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro'. The purpose of his speech was to give his opinions on the well known holiday, the fourth of July. Reading the speech made me feel dumbfounded, amused and frustrated

Frederick Douglass was a freed slave in the 1800’s who was famous for his ability to read and write, uncommon of a black man at the time. On July 4th, 1852, he gave a speech to citizens of the United States. In this speech, he called out the “hypocrisy of the nation”(Douglass), questioning the nation's treatment of slaves on a supposed day of independence. Frederick Douglass effectively uses rhetorical strategies to construct his argument and expose the hypocrisy of the nation.