LAD #16

Frederick Douglass Speech - LAD#16

July 4, 1852 Rochester NY

Fellow Citizens: Why am I called to speak here ?  Are the principles of political freedom and natural justice extended to us ?  I am not included within the pale of this glorious anniversary.  This fourth of July is not mine.  You may rejoice, I must mourn.  Fellow citizens, above your national, tumultuous joy, I hear the mournful wail of millions.

My subject is “American Slavery”.   The character and conduct of this nation never looked blacker.  The conduct of the nation seems hideous and revolting.

Some think I should argue more and denounce less.  But where all is plain, there is nothing to be argued.  Must I undertake to prove that the slave is a man ?  That point is conceded already.  Would you have me argue that man is entitled to liberty ?  That he is the rightful owner of his body ? You have already declared it.  Must I argue the wrongfulness of slavery ?  There is not  a man on earth who does not know that slavery is wrong for him.    What, then, remains to be argued ?

At a time like this, scorching irony, not convincing argument, is needed. It is not light that is needed, but fire.

To the slave, the fourth of July more than any other day reveals to him the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim.

There is not a nation of the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of these United States at this very hour.

For revolting barbarity and shameless hypocrisy, America reigns without a rival.

 Photo2: Women even in the 20th century weren't completely equal, so posters such as "Rosie the Riveter" were produced to empower women.