"What to the Slave is the Fourth of July"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that Frederick Douglass' speech, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July", challenged America, which had become a leading slave-nation and demanded the abolition of slavery because the foundation upon which America was built is freedom. The author points out that Douglass' argument was based heavily on American irony; by enslaving millions of their own countrymen, America's actions are analogous to the British oppression of Americans during its infancy. The paper relates that Douglass called the American people -- in the name of their fathers, the constitution and the Bible -- to renounce their "flagrantly inconsistent ways", abolish slavery and preserve liberty for all.

From the Paper:

"After reminding the audience of what their fathers fought for and against, Douglass speaks of the present condition of slavery. Many admit the evils of slavery yet fail to take action against it, while others live "off the fruits of your fathers." American citizens, according to Douglass, do not have this right to "wear out and waste the hard-earned fame" of their fathers. Instead, they must fight for justice. Douglass again emphasizes that America and its freedom do not belong to him, that it belongs to white Americans; "The rich inheritance of justice...is shared by you, not by me." Furthermore, Douglass brings light to the claim that slaves are not men. It is evident that slaves are men since there are laws against them which prove that slaves are in fact "moral, intellectual, and responsible beings." Therefore, it is conceded that slaves are men, and thus slaves deserve the same right of freedom, equality, liberty and justice as every white American."

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