LAD/Blog #17 Frederick Douglass' "5th of July" Speech



Frederick Douglass, an escaped slave, gave a speech on the 5th of July: "The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro". His speech was given on the day after American independence day and reflects on if America truly embraces freedom. Douglass begins by acknowledging the founding fathers of America, the he questions, "Are the great principles of political freedom and natural justice...extended to [slaves]?" Clearly, Frederick Douglass believes America has fallen short on their promise of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" by continuing the injustice of slavery. Douglass emphasizes this by saying that while Americans are celebrating the fourth oof July, others are trapped as slaves, which is unjustifiable. Douglass concluded by stating that he believes abolitionist movements will succeed and lastly, ens with William Lloyd Garrison's poem about the fight for slavery, despite the risks.
Like Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King Jr. advocated against the injustices African American's face; he also believed the community would unite to overcome the wrongs society wrought on African Americans.   

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