Hey, Baby, It's the Fourth of July
What to the slave is the Fourth of July? Frederick Douglass
As a white male in America, I only have a passing familiarity with Frederick Douglass.
I know he was a freeman during a time when practically everyone Black in America was a slave. I know he was a noteworthy orator. I presume he was well-spoken. I am guessing he was an abolitionist.
I know nothing more about him. But, unlike our president, I definitely know he lived and died in the 19th century.
And, now, thanks to Killer Mike, who introduced me to the enlightening Cornerstone Speech that made crystal clear the War Between the States was about the right to own slaves, I’ve been introduced to Frederick Douglass’ most stirring speech. Douglass gave this speech on July 5th, 1852 in the Corinthian Hall in Rochester, New York, while addressing the ladies of the Anti-Slavery Society.
It is now known as “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” speech.
My internet search shows me that Frederick Douglass is going viral this Fourth of July. Which, of course, is fitting. America badly needs a second Second Great Awakening but, this time, the fervor should be directed toward the teachings of Plato and not Jesus.
The PBS article on Douglass’ speech to the group of Rochester ladies states that the event was a commemoration of the Declaration of Independence. Frederick Douglass took offense at their having asked him to speak on the subject.
It was biting oratory, in which the speaker told his audience, "This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn." And he asked them, "Do you mean, citizens, to mock me, by asking me to speak to-day?"
It’s a damning speech that ought to be taught to all Americans. I can’t help but imagine how much richer our lives would be if the gatekeepers of education throughout the years had chosen inclusivity and diversity instead of a narrow viewpoint that mainly favors white Anglo Saxon Protestant males. How might our society have been shaped for the better?
This was the crux paragraph from Douglass’ speech on the 5th of July. Here’s the link for the full text.
What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sound of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants brass fronted impudence; your shout of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanks-givings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are to him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy -- a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of the United States, at this very hour.
And let me add a little bit more in case you decide you do not have the time to read the entire speech. I think the next several lines show that for someone who had every right to be as outraged as our fellow Americans who are diabolically being forced to wear masks, he was someone incredibly capable of tempering his anger.
Go where you may, search where you will, roam through all the monarchies and despotisms of the Old World, travel through South America, search out every abuse, and when you have found the last, lay your facts by the side of the everyday practices of this nation, and you will say with me, that, for revolting barbarity and shameless hypocrisy, America reigns without a rival....
...Allow me to say, in conclusion, notwithstanding the dark picture I have this day presented, of the state of the nation, I do not despair of this country. There are forces in operation which must inevitably work the downfall of slavery. "The arm of the Lord is not shortened," and the doom of slavery is certain. I, therefore, leave off where I began, with hope.
Have a safe 4th of July! Celebrate responsibly! Wear your mask when appropriate!
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“There are two things a person should never be angry at: What they can help, and what they cannot.” Plato
This is my favorite song about the 4th of July. Don’t worry. There are no 5th of July songs. To my knowledge.