'What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?' by Frederick Douglass

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/what-slave-fourth-july-frederick-douglass/


“What to the Slave is the Fourth July?” by Frederick Douglass is not only a brilliant work of oratory. It speaks to our every frustration spurred by the gap between the ideals of the United States and the reality we witness every day; between the Bill of Rights and our decaying civil liberties; between the USA’s international declarations of human rights and the ordered drone attacks backed by presidential “kill lists”; between the words “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” and a nation that leads the world in jailing its own citizens; between our highest ideals and our darkest realities. Here’s hoping people take the time to read the entirety of Douglass’s brilliant speech; even though his were words that spoke directly to his moment in history, they still ring with an unsettling power. As Douglass says: “Had I the ability, and could I reach the nation’s ear, I would today pour out a fiery stream of biting ridicule, blasting reproach, withering sarcasm, and stern rebuke. For it is not light that is needed, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake.” —Dave Zirin

*snip*

[2naSalit]

1. So assclown and his minions...

Should go have a nice long chat with him.

[onecaliberal]

2. Read it earlier. K&R

[Nevilledog]

3. Have you seen this?

Link to tweet

Tweet text:
Yamiche Alcindor
@Yamiche
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Descendants of Frederick Douglass deliver his famous speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”

Always moving to watch.


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9:28 AM · Jul 4, 2022

[gulliver]

4. Read it long ago and admired it, but who is this "Thomas Kennedy?"

"Required reading?" That's kind of a poor choice of words. Is Mr. Kennedy trying to array himself in the honor deserved by Douglas?

[Nevilledog]

5. He's just saying it's important to remember, and not just on the 4th.

That's how I took it.

[Hekate]

6. James Earl Jones reads the speech...