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Why Frederick Douglass Met with His Former Enslaver Thomas Auld
- Frederick Douglass delivered his speech, 'What to the Slave Is Your Fourth of July?' on July 5, 1852, addressing the Rochester Ladies' Anti-Slavery Society to highlight the plight of enslaved people during American independence celebrations.
- Douglass highlighted the hypocrisy of American independence, stating that the celebration 'is a sham' for those enslaved.
- In his speech, Douglass called for moral outrage, saying, 'scorching irony, not convincing argument, is needed'.
- The words of Douglass continue to resonate today, especially in light of recent attacks on diversity initiatives, as stated by Amy Goodman.
11 Articles
11 Articles
‘The Best Fourth Of July Speech In American History’ … Was Delivered On The Fifth Of July
This Fourth of July—and fifth!—remember Frederick Douglass’ cry for freedom. Courtesy/Everett Historical/Shutterstock By James West Davidson slate.com In the wake of the 2015 Charleston shooting, James West Davidson revisited the meaning of patriotic Fourth of July speeches and their purpose. The best, he argues, was given by Frederick Douglass on July 5, 1852. The original article is reprinted below. The most remarkable Independence Day oration…
“What to the Slave Is the 4th of July?”: James Earl Jones Reads Frederick Douglass’s Historic Speech
We begin our July Fourth special broadcast with the words of Frederick Douglass. Born into slavery around 1818, Douglass became a key leader of the abolitionist movement. On July 5, 1852, in Rochester, New York, Douglass gave one of his most famous speeches, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” He was addressing the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society. The late actor James Earl Jones read the historic address during a performance of Voic
The Victoria Advocate
What to the slave is the Fourth of July?
Editor’s note: Below are some excerpts from a speech on the meaning of the Fourth of July delivered by Frederick Douglass in Rochester, New York, July 5, 1852. Fellow-citizens, pardon me, allow me to ask, why am I called upon…
‘Hideous and revolting’ – Frederick Douglass on U.S. slavery
The following excerpts are from the powerful speech entitled “What to the slave is 4th of July,” made by Frederick Douglass, the great African-American abolitionist who escaped from slavery, at an independence day rally in Rochester, New York, on July 5, 1852. In light of Trump’s racist attacks
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Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left, 50% of the sources are Center
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