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Rhetorical Analysis Of What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July

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Fredrick Douglass was an abolitionist, civil rights activist, orator and journalist who fought for the equality of African Americans. In the speech “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July”, he discusses the meaning of the fourth of July to Americas black population which consists of mostly slaves. Douglass believes that people who are still enslaved should not celebrate the white man’s freedom. Slave are not free therefore they should not rejoice in festivities not designed for them. Secondly, he condemns the church for not speaking out against slavery. Douglass gives the title “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July” because he wants others to view the lack of equal rights, democracy and freedom of the very people who are oppressed: Slaves. …show more content…
He feels the fact there is a Declaration of Independence IT just proves there is no equal justice for all. There is no liberty for all. Douglas states, “This fourth July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice I must mourn” (15). Douglass uses his own ethical power to speak on the issue of slavery by describing his own experiences, He establishes himself as a reliable witness with first-hand information. A strong example of a way in which America is false to the ideals it has set for itself is discovered in The Declaration of Independence who is signed by Presidents who condemned slavery yet they were slave owners. The Declaration of Independence …show more content…
(US 1776)
Slaves were not equal, they were property. Slaves did not have rights nor the power to abolish their mistreatment. Although The Declaration of Independence was written about eighty years before Douglass’ speech, it was still evident that The Declaration of Independence was not designed for slaves. The safety and happiness of Slaves were still not being considered or spoken of in the

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