Hypocrisy Of American Slavery Analysis

“ The Hypocrisy of American Slavery” helps us to better understand U.S History by pointing out the flaws with celebrating a nation's independence when owning a slave is still legal. For Frederick Douglass, American slavery not only contradicts itself, but it also violates the rights given to men by the declaration of independance. While speaking at a party, Douglass gave a speech to the “privileged” men who attended. In his speech he questioned the grounds which the Declaration does not apply to slaves, thus making his point that celebrating independance makes a mockery of black men.
Frederick Douglass puts Justice and America’s promise of liberty to the test by asking why he, a black man who once was not a free man, was asked to speak about freedom.
“The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity, and independence bequeathed by your fathers is shared by you, not by me.” The statement shows that he feels unfit to speak on such topics. He undermines his ethos by stating he is unfit however, he does this intentionally to make his pathos appeal stronger. …show more content…
“ There are seventy-two crimes in the state of virginia, which, if committed by a black man… subject him to the punishment of death; while only two of the same crimes… will subject a white man to like punishment” Douglass mentions the law, which the white men seem to be concerned with the most. By mentioning the law, he even further persuades the men that being at a party that celebrates freedom shows that not only are they ignorant to what freedom means, but they are also ignorant to the fact that not all men are recognized as