Prof. Garcia | ENG 1121 - O427 | Spring 2021

Responding to Douglass

Douglass is arguing about slavery, and how the celebration of “freedom” that America gained from the British Crown on the 4th of July is not for everyone since slavery was still part of their lives at that time and black people felt that the 4th of July was an hypocrite celebration at that time.

One clear and strong evidence that the author gives to make his point is the following

“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”

This quote illustrates why black people felt that the 4th of July was an hypocrite celebration since it was a celebration of freedom and they were not free from the ones celebrating .

1 Comment

  1. Ruth Garcia

    yes. He’s explaining the slave’s perspective to the audience. Any comments on the use of the words “injustice” and “cruelty”? Also, where is your paraphrasing of the quote?

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