On July Fifth, 1852, Frederick Douglass was invited to speak at an anti-slavery conference. As a well-established and eloquent speaker, Douglass took this opportunity to make a statement about abolition. By revealing the disparity between what principles institutions like American government and the American Church were founded on and what they had become through scathing irony, passionate ranting and logic, Douglass addresses the social injustice of slavery. He mocks the Fourth of July holiday and argues that the American ideals of freedom, equality and justice have not been bestowed on the public as the founding fathers had promised. “What to a Slave is the Fourth of July” is a challenge that dares Americans to strive to make the idea of
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Because of his race, Whites during this time period would not expect him to be as intelligent and well-spoken as he proves himself to be in his Fourth of July oration. They do not imagine that he is thoroughly competent in “integrating...mental logic and reason...effectively” (Alley-Young) to strengthen his points concerning the incongruities in American policies and institutions involving slavery. Therefore, Douglass must submit himself to behaving as if he possesses “limited powers of speech” (Douglass 1). He also addresses his audience with respect and humility, requesting that they “honor” him “with their presence” (Douglass 1). Douglass understands that “harness[ing] Whites’ political power” requires him to project a persona that resembles what Whites expect of an “authentic” freed slave: deferential and somewhat ignorant (Alley-Young). However, Douglass reveals his intelligence when he references Shakespeare, composes elaborate metaphors and proficiently applies logic to his argument. Through his speech, Douglass skillfully balances between “work[ing] with and connect[ing] with Whites within White defined spaces” and displaying the power of “his true voice” (Alley-Young). Through showing deference to the White majority while still managing to make …show more content…
At the beginning of his speech, Douglass establishes all that America stands for according to the founding fathers. He depicts them as advocates of “justice, liberty and humanity,” inspired by “glorious patriotism” and “sincerity” (Douglass 5). The founding fathers are described as what Douglass believes to be the essence of what America seeks to represent: freedom, equality and independence. However, when Douglass transitions from past to present, he claims that “the rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity and independence...is shared by you, not by me” (Douglass 7). His depiction of America in 1852 sharply contrasts the idealistic nature of colonial America. He accuses Americans of taking part in “inhuman mockery and sacrilegious irony” as they parade around on the Fourth of July, exclaiming “jubilee shouts” as the millions of suffering slaves emit “mournful wail[s]” (Douglass 7). Even the fact that Douglass, a free slave, is giving a speech at an Independence Day address highlights the fact that “this Fourth July is yours, not mine” (Douglass 7). Douglass harnesses this irony to demonstrate how the Fourth of July for a slave is “a day that reveals to him...the gross
Because of his race, Whites during this time period would not expect him to be as intelligent and well-spoken as he proves himself to be in his Fourth of July oration. They do not imagine that he is thoroughly competent in “integrating...mental logic and reason...effectively” (Alley-Young) to strengthen his points concerning the incongruities in American policies and institutions involving slavery. Therefore, Douglass must submit himself to behaving as if he possesses “limited powers of speech” (Douglass 1). He also addresses his audience with respect and humility, requesting that they “honor” him “with their presence” (Douglass 1). Douglass understands that “harness[ing] Whites’ political power” requires him to project a persona that resembles what Whites expect of an “authentic” freed slave: deferential and somewhat ignorant (Alley-Young). However, Douglass reveals his intelligence when he references Shakespeare, composes elaborate metaphors and proficiently applies logic to his argument. Through his speech, Douglass skillfully balances between “work[ing] with and connect[ing] with Whites within White defined spaces” and displaying the power of “his true voice” (Alley-Young). Through showing deference to the White majority while still managing to make …show more content…
At the beginning of his speech, Douglass establishes all that America stands for according to the founding fathers. He depicts them as advocates of “justice, liberty and humanity,” inspired by “glorious patriotism” and “sincerity” (Douglass 5). The founding fathers are described as what Douglass believes to be the essence of what America seeks to represent: freedom, equality and independence. However, when Douglass transitions from past to present, he claims that “the rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity and independence...is shared by you, not by me” (Douglass 7). His depiction of America in 1852 sharply contrasts the idealistic nature of colonial America. He accuses Americans of taking part in “inhuman mockery and sacrilegious irony” as they parade around on the Fourth of July, exclaiming “jubilee shouts” as the millions of suffering slaves emit “mournful wail[s]” (Douglass 7). Even the fact that Douglass, a free slave, is giving a speech at an Independence Day address highlights the fact that “this Fourth July is yours, not mine” (Douglass 7). Douglass harnesses this irony to demonstrate how the Fourth of July for a slave is “a day that reveals to him...the gross