Throughout Fredrick Douglas’s speech, he helped argue about how African Americans are mistreated during the 1800s and especially on a day like 4th of July, this is one of the most dangerous days to be a black citizen living in the USA. Fredrick shows this by explaining what happens to African Americans and how USA claims there’s “Freedom” but there really isn’t and only “Freedom” for white Americans. Fredrick Douglas first goes on to explain in a sort of sarcastic way how he’s glad they get to celebrate their nations birthday and how he’s glad the nation is still new. “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. This celebration also marks the beginning of another year of your national life; and reminds you that the Republic of America is now 76 years old. I am glad, fellow-citizens, that your nation is so young. Seventy-six years, though a good old age for a man, is but a mere speck in the life of a nation.” (Douglas, Fredrick. What to the Negro Is the Fourth of July? PG 1-2) Fredrick explains in this quote how America is still so young and that the “gloom” it’s currently in, he hopes it manages to change that in the future for the better. Another thing Fredrick says in his speech is how African Americans feel on 4th of July and gives a example and tells the others people to basically put themselves in a African Americans shoes and see how it feels. “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. Tohim, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity” (Douglas, Fredrick. What to the Negro Is the Fourth of July? PG 10) Fredrick says that July 4th in the USA is the most cruel day in the world and how slaves are constant victims to social injustice and racism. He lastly says the USA will commit horrific acts in this whole world “at this very hour”.