Monday, November 12, 2018

LAD/Blog #17: Frederick Douglass' "5th of July" speech

Summary:

Instead of giving a nice speech for the 4th of July, Frederick Douglas dismissed the idea of a joyous speech about liberty, and gave one about racism. He declares that while the white man celebrates his independence, the 4th of July only mocks black people, being oppressed by the people who celebrate this American holiday. Douglass states that for this reason the 4th of July is a dark day for all black slaves out in the States. He declares that with all his power, to denounce slavery, but will do this in ways that are right no just, in a civilized manor. He ends the speech by implying that the dark actions of American slavery are the vilest in human history.

Douglass reminds me of Parks, as the both stood up for what the believed in, campaigning for the equality of all black people in America.

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