Douglass’ argument is that although politically the United States of America has made tremendous strides and their freedom fought for and won, their laws are hypocritical and do not apply to all who live in the country.

Quote: “Oppression makes a wise man mad. Your fathers were wise men, and if they did not go mad, they became restive under this treatment. They felt themselves the victims of grievous wrongs, wholly incurable in their colonial capacity. With brave men there is always a remedy for oppression. Just here, the idea of a total separation of the colonies from the crown was born! It was a startling idea, much more so, than we, at this distance of time, regard it.” (Douglass page 3 “What to the Negro Is the Fourth of July?”)

Response: Douglass uses this to identify and address the oppression that his white audience went through under his rule. To allow his audience to feel seen and justified in the actions taken by their forefathers. He uses this as a tactic as well as a transition into why he, nor those like him, were not taken into consideration when making the constitution. He goes on to explain why black cannot join in on this celebration

Quote:  “I am not included within the pale of this glorious anniversary! Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us. The blessings in which you, this day, rejoice, are not enjoyed in common.—The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity and independence, bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you, not by me. The sunlight that brought life and healing to you, has brought stripes and death to me. This Fourth July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn.” (Douglass page 7 “What to the Negro Is the Fourth of July?”)

Response: At this point in history, slavery was happening in a number of states, southern and northern. It would be 11 years until slavery would be abolished, the last 3 years would be full of war. Black people who were born free were still treated as second-class citizens and did not have the same rights as white citizens. Every day in the country was a reminder of the injustice he and other black people faced on a regular basis.