Afroza Yasmin, Responding to Douglass

Frederick Douglass said, “what to the slave of fourth of July” he indicated that our nation quality is change and we are struggle of legacies of slavery. He respects the declaration of independence. He meant the fourth slavery of American black population. His speech developed the attitude of American society toward society. In his speech he addressed, “My president, friends and fellow citizens.” He is not talk about president of united states, he indicates president of anti slavery society. He talk about freedom, equality, colors of people, independence, patriotism and slavery. He also wants to change minds about the abilities and intelligence of African Americans. For example, “This, for the purpose of this celebration, is the 4th of July. It is the birthday of your National Independence, and of your political freedom. This, to you, is what the Passover was to the emancipated people of God. It carries your minds back to the day, and to the act of your great deliverance; and to the signs, and to the wonders, associated with that act, and that day page(1)”. This means that 4th July is the National Independence day. This day reminds me of what happened before and what was the purpose of the day. This connects with this because it shows the American revolutionary past. The use of repetition “you and your” indicates Douglass and his audience and his listeners that he did not share their attitude or perspective toward the fourth of July. “while we are engaged in all manner of enterprises common to other men, digging gold in California, capturing the whale in the Pacific, feeding sheep and cattle on the hill-side, living, moving, acting, thinking, planning, living in families as husbands, wives and children, and, above all, confessing and worshipping the Christian’s God, and looking hopefully for life and immortality beyond the grave, we are called upon to prove that we are men! page(9)”. In these quotes Douglass argued that  slaves are men. He gave some examples that slaves do that are done by thinking, planning, planting etc.