Frederick Douglass Response To The Declaration Of Independence

Frederick Douglass otherwise known as Bailey was born a slave in 1817. Brought in the world of slavery at only a young age of eight years of age, he learned to read and write from his mistress which was illegal. His giftedness lead him to speak at on anti-slavery in Nantucket, Massachusetts in 1841. His articulate speaking lead him to be employed by an agent of Massachusetts for the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. Douglass became one of the most notable abolitionists in the United States in 1841, Douglass was requested to speak in Rochester for Independence Day in 1852. His speech was to display the idea of antislavery to critics by speaking with his fellow abolitionists to spread the message of American hypocrisy with aspects from a slave …show more content…
He makes an observation at the difference of him and the people of the Anti-Slavery Society and the struggle of his people. He insinuates that African—Americans and white people do not have equal rights or independence. He mentions that on Independence Day, that it is not a day to be ecstatic. Independence Day is not to a pleasant day because in Douglass’s mindset he feels the pain of his people. He argues that his people are worth something in society, Douglass makes the point of bringing up the Declaration of Independence to signify that “your four fathers is shared by you, not by me,” stating African Americans are brought abuse and inequality. Douglass claimed to have a sense of sadness and grief to his people for not having equality and independence. He refers to the praise and happiness for Fourth of July is ignorance and insensitivity to his …show more content…
Whose chains, heavy and grievous yesterday, are today, rendered more intolerable by the jubilee shouts that reach them.” Douglass expressed that to ignore African-Americans is morally wrong and disrespectful to his people as he sees as unbearable. He testifies that to ignore the issue at hand which is going on is unethical because it’s being ignored and the issue as Douglass refers to is African American Slavery. He makes maintain the idea that slavery is wrong, unjust and that America’s wrongdoing of slavery is his crime. He makes the metaphorical interpretation that America’s crime has caused him to have blood on his hands. He proclaims the behavior of his country to be vile and repugnant disregarding his nation’s precedents. Douglass illustrates that “in the name of the Constitution and the Bible which are disregarded and trampled upon, dare to call in question and denounce, with all the emphasis I can command, everything that serves to perpetuate slavery—the great sin and shame of America!” Douglass express that to go against the constitution and God is sacrilegious and considered a sign of