On this day, July 5, 1852, Frederick Douglass asked, "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?"

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Required reading today and everyday.

thenation.com
“What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” by Frederick Douglass
This is the perfect time to read the entirety of Frederick Douglass’s famous speech, and not merely because of the date on the calendar.

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JULY 4, 2023

“What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” by Frederick Douglass

This is the perfect time to read the entirety of Frederick Douglass’s famous speech, and not merely because of the date on the calendar.
DAVE ZIRIN

{snip}

What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?

by FREDERICK DOUGLASS
July 5, 1852

Mr. President, Friends and Fellow Citizens: He who could address this audience without a quailing sensation, has stronger nerves than I have. I do not remember ever to have appeared as a speaker before any assembly more shrinkingly, nor with greater distrust of my ability, than I do this day. A feeling has crept over me, quite unfavorable to the exercise of my limited powers of speech. The task before me is one which requires much previous thought and study for its proper performance. I know that apologies of this sort are generally considered flat and unmeaning. I trust, however, that mine will not be so considered. Should I seem at ease, my appearance would much misrepresent me. The little experience I have had in addressing public meetings, in country schoolhouses, avails me nothing on the present occasion.

{snip}

Thu Jul 6, 2023: On July 5, 1852, Frederick Douglass asked, "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?"

Mon Jul 4, 2022: 'What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?' by Frederick Douglass

[GumboYaYa]

1. Yesterday we went to a reading of the speech at the Frederick Douglass house in DC.

It was extremely powerful to see it read there with an expansive view of the Capitol and many of the monuments to American history as a backdrop.

[appalachiablue]

2. Good for you, I was just about to post a video of the

Frederick Douglass home in Washington, DC, a wonderful property with terrific views of the city. You can tour the home and grounds to learn more about Douglass' life and work from the NPS staff.

Thanks for posting Mat.