What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July

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Throughout history, words have been more than just a means of communication—they have been agents of change, shaping societies and influencing the course of events. The works of Frederick Douglass, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Malala Yousafzai, and Sojourner Truth exemplify how words can challenge the status quo, inspire action, and bring about social progress. By examining these influential figures and their impactful words, we can understand the profound effect language has on shaping our world.

Words have the remarkable ability to evoke emotions, inspire change, and shape history. Throughout history, individuals have utilized the power of words to challenge societal norms and advocate for change. Frederick Douglass, in his speech "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" eloquently expressed the plight of slaves, igniting a desire for change among listeners. He powerfully stated, "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," highlighting the inhumanity of slavery (Douglass, 1852, p. 326, paragraph 6). Douglass's words moved people to reconsider their views on slavery and sparked a movement towards abolition. …show more content…
Stanton boldly declared, "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal," echoing the sentiments of the Declaration of Independence while advocating for gender equality (Stanton, 1848, p. 421, paragraph 2). Her words were a catalyst for the women's suffrage movement, inspiring women to fight for their

What To A Slave Is The Fourth Of July Analysis

In “from What to a Slave is the Fourth of July” by Frederick douglass, He addressed an audience at the Rochester Ladied Anti-Slavery Society. At a time when many people-some who are against slavery in principal-viewed the total abolition of slavery as a racial cause. In his speech he says “I am not a man” and this is telling us that he is not being treated like the human that he is, but more of being treated as an animal that can be pushed around without consequences. In the “Declaration of Sentiments”…

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What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July Essay

The Abolitionist, Frederick Douglas once quoted“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.”That quote was said in Rochester, New York on July 5, 1852 during a speech titled What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July? which was given to a sympathetic abolitionist society called Rochester Ladies Anti-Slavery Society to emphasize the subject of American…

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Analysis Of What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July

African-American social reformer and abolitionist, Frederick Douglass, in his speech, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” recounts his perspective on what fourth of July means to African-American’s while speaking in front of white Americans about a holiday that was put into place to represent the independence and freedom of America. As an astonishing writer Mr. Douglass uses many powerful phrases and words to describe the way he is feeling and how he wants to get an idea across a group of…

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What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July Rhetorical Analysis

was considered radical, extreme, and dangerous. In “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?”, Frederick Douglass wanted to convince people of the wrongfulness of slavery and also to make an argument for the abolition of slavery to Northern whites. At the invitation of the Rochester Ladies Anti-Slavery Society, Frederick Douglass delivered this speech on July 5, 1852 in Rochester, New York (Faigley 351). Frederick Douglass was a former slave, so he was able to share first-hand experiences and was…

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Rhetorical Analysis Of What To The Slave Is Fourth Of July

“What to the slave is Fourth of July” This is a historical speech by Frederick Douglas, a civil rights activists and Author. Frederick Douglas focused mainly on American slavery. He states many points as to why whites should celebrate this day. However, he adds that the Fourth of July means nothing to the blacks because they were still slaves. He wanted to signify the captivity of black during the time of the Independence. Douglas emphasizes that whites expect blacks to celebrate the American Independence…

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Rhetorical Analysis Of What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July

African slaves show their desires for freedom to the whole world. The War of 1812 serves as the catalyst for anti-slavery movements. The Americas were in chaos during the war when African slaves fought on both British and American sides; also, the British burned down the Capitol in Washington DC. Abolitionists such as Nat Turner became more vocal and lead rebellions that eventually ended with over fifty seven whites dead. Frederick Douglass wrote “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July” to express…

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What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July Analysis

The use of rhetorical strategies in the speech, ‘‘What To The Slave Is The 4th Of July?’’ written by former slave Frederick Douglass in 1852, strengthens the argument that slavery is unjust and inhumane. He uses appeals to emotion and many examples of figurative language to persuade the audience to believe what he is saying is important and should be solved right away. Douglass uses pathos and logos appeals to exhaust the idea that slavery is wrong and America isn’t taking this matter serious…

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Rhetorical Analysis Of What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July

Douglass, an abolitionist author of “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?,” 1852, portrays the slave’s perspective on this particular holiday. Douglass begins to talk about how nervous he is and how much he’s prepared for this day, then discusses how he agrees on how America was right during the revolution. He then reveals what he has actually been preparing for in his speech. The author wants to talk about slavery in order to show the audience what the Fourth of July means to the enslaved. Douglass…

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Rhetorical Analysis Of What To The Slaves Is The Fourth Of July

Source Fredrick Douglass, “What to the Slaves is the Fourth of July?” Selected Speeches and Writings (Chicago: Lawrence Hill, 1999), pg 188-206 About the Author Fredrick Douglass, an African-American who escaped from slavery to become a leader of the abolitionist movement and antislavery writing. Summary The 4th of July, the date for national independence of United States forms the larger part of the document and post-independence vices like slavery and factors of that time that supported this vice…

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Rhetorical Analysis Of What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July

How would a former slave speak of a holiday created to celebrate freedom? In his emotionally-charged speech “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July,” Frederick Douglass answered this question but posed many more. With scorching criticism, he boldly illuminated America’s grandest flaws. Douglass utilized three key rhetorical strategies to build an evocative argument against slavery. Douglass’ furious tone set the mood. He decried America’s hypocrisy harshly, holding nothing back, and yearned to…

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