Frederick Douglas was requested give a speech at Corinthian Hall, which is in Rochester New York, on the 4th of July in Rochester. The topic or question he had to talk about was essentially, what does the 4th of July mean to a slave? His speech was delivered not with the expected positive and nationalistic speech about liberty, but rather he proclaims that while a white man may celebrate his own rights and freedoms, the Fourth of July stands to mock African Americans. This is because they and their rights have been brutally oppressed by the same people who have a day to celebrate their independence and "equality". Frederick Douglas also claims that for this reason, the Fourth of July is especially dark, more so than any other day for an African American slave. Finally, he concludes in saying that he is going to, with all his power, denounce slavery; but, he will only do so in ways that are fair and just. Finally, he declares that the practicing of American slavery is the most cruel and dark act in history.
This is a picture of Martin Luther King, well-known for his "I had a Dream" speech and for standing up for his own and the rights of African Americans.
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