The United States’ constitution allegedly adheres to the promotion of civil liberties of the American people, but in reality, persecutes the African Americans held in bondage. Frederick Douglass shines light on the persecution of his race in his narrative. Douglass was born a slave, yet died a free man. He fought hard to educate himself, and to establish himself as an intellectual human being, rather than an object for ownership. After he escaped slavery, he made it his goal to educate the public about his experiences as a slave. His eloquent public speeches, and his famous autobiography increased awareness about the wrongs of slavery, and encouraged people of all races to take a stand against it. His belief in human rights is prevalent in
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Specifically, he argues that the United States government is hypocritical. In his narrative, Douglass states, “I’m coming to a fixed determination to run away, we did more than Patrick Henry, when he resolved upon liberty or death. With us it was a doubtful liberty at most” (86). Douglass alludes to Patrick Henry to argue that Henry demanded liberty or death for his nation, so the slaves should be able to fight for the same liberty. Douglass purpose in alluding to Henry was to expose the hypocrisy in slavery, and to argue that the slaves should have the right to the same liberties that the United states was founded off of. In A Brief Notice of American Slavery and the Abolition Movement, Estlin argues that a nation that declares that all men have natural rights, then going against this claim by Constitution is hypocritical (45). The fundamental nature of the United States is based off of the idea of freedom and rights. Estlin argues that this claim is hypocritical because the Constitution blatantly deprives the slaves of the freedoms that the United States allegedly possesses. Also, in Constitutional Aspects of Slavery, Torodash discusses the idea that Jefferson condemned King George III for depriving his people of proper rights, yet the United States government deprives slaves of their rights (234). Torodash reflects on the United
Specifically, he argues that the United States government is hypocritical. In his narrative, Douglass states, “I’m coming to a fixed determination to run away, we did more than Patrick Henry, when he resolved upon liberty or death. With us it was a doubtful liberty at most” (86). Douglass alludes to Patrick Henry to argue that Henry demanded liberty or death for his nation, so the slaves should be able to fight for the same liberty. Douglass purpose in alluding to Henry was to expose the hypocrisy in slavery, and to argue that the slaves should have the right to the same liberties that the United states was founded off of. In A Brief Notice of American Slavery and the Abolition Movement, Estlin argues that a nation that declares that all men have natural rights, then going against this claim by Constitution is hypocritical (45). The fundamental nature of the United States is based off of the idea of freedom and rights. Estlin argues that this claim is hypocritical because the Constitution blatantly deprives the slaves of the freedoms that the United States allegedly possesses. Also, in Constitutional Aspects of Slavery, Torodash discusses the idea that Jefferson condemned King George III for depriving his people of proper rights, yet the United States government deprives slaves of their rights (234). Torodash reflects on the United