Celebrating Independence Day - 1146 Words

Independence Day, since the first signing of the Declaration of Independence, has been a nationwide victorious day filled with cheer in celebration of the United States gaining freedom from the British Crown. But the effects of the Declaration of Independence did not at all do what it was expected of for almost three centuries. During this time, there were a lot of famous people who stood up and fought against slavery, and Frederick Douglass was one of the most well-known abolitionists. Frederick Douglass was born as a slave in Maryland in 1895. He was also a journalist, orator, and social reformer, but most of all, he is famous for his leadership as an abolitionist. Spending his young ages as a slave, he was the victim of and witness of cruelty at the hands of his owners, therefore he had strong hatred toward slavery in the United States. After escaping from slavery to be a free man in 1838, he published several autobiographies and became an outspoken advocate for the abolitionist m ovement. One of the most recognized speeches of Frederick Douglass - â€Å"What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?† - was held on the nations 76th anniversary. By revealing unfairness and injustice of racism throughout this speech, Douglass, with his angry but passionate and vigorous voice, not only got the audiences sympathy but also succeeded in convincing them that â€Å"all men are created equal†, no matter what color of their skin. The first part of his speech praises what the founding fathersShow MoreRelatedWhat Does Celebrating June 4th Say About Americans?964 Words   |  4 PagesHead: What Does Celebrating July 4th Say About Americans? 1 2 What Does Celebrating July 4th Say About Americans? What Does Celebrating July 4th Say About Americans? Baylee Vaughn Butler Community College Abstract If the accepted definition of Symbolic interactionism is ?a school of thought in sociology that explains social behavior in terms of how people interact with each other via symbols? (Chegg.com) then celebrating the 4th of JulyRead MoreWhat Does Celebrating June 4th Say About Americans?964 Words   |  4 PagesHead: What Does Celebrating July 4th Say About Americans? 1 2 What Does Celebrating July 4th Say About Americans? What Does Celebrating July 4th Say About Americans? Baylee Vaughn Butler Community College Abstract If the accepted definition of Symbolic interactionism is ?a school of thought in sociology that explains social behavior in terms of how people interact with each other via symbols? (Chegg.com) then celebrating the 4th of JulyRead MoreThe Holidays of Suriname625 Words   |  3 Pagesthe rest of the world, but also celebrates many of their own holidays. Phagwah Day is a very popular Hindu holiday, celebrated in Suriname. This holiday is celebrated on the last full moon of the lunar month, known as Phalguna. Phalguna is the twelfth month on the Hindu calendar, the same calendar that governs the Hindu religious life. Phagwah Day is celebrated all over the country at festivals and parties. Phagwah Day marks the beginning of spring in Suriname, and is known in Suriname as the festivalRead MoreThe Fifth Of August By Audre Lorde991 Words   |  4 Pagesthink about the 4th of July, most Americans can say it was the day the Declaration of Independence was signed and with that declaration came their independence. With independence comes freedoms such as the pursuit of happiness, a promise of equality and so forth. Therefore, when one reads Audre Lorde’s essay â€Å"The Fourth of July†, one would think it is about freedom or how the day is represented as a historic anniversary for independence in the United States. However, Lo rde describes an appalling summerRead MoreThe Fourth Of July, By John Lewis Krimmel985 Words   |  4 Pagesthat time. Furthermore, in the 19th century the Fourth of July established division between groups, cultivated questions about America’s progress as a whole, and ingrained national confusion about the purpose of this holiday. In the painting Independence Day in Center Square, painted by John Lewis Krimmel, the celebration of Fourth of July is depicted.1 This work, completed in 1819, takes place in the large city of Philadelphia. While looking at the painting, one can see Center Square, PhiladelphiaRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of Frederick Douglass s The Great Principles Of Political Freedom And Of Natural Justice 1723 Words   |  7 Pagesregards to his speech is followed by this rhetorical question â€Å"Are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence, extended to us?† which sets up for the thesis â€Å"This Fourth of July is yours, not mine.† Meaning that celebrating the fourth of July is all about independence and freedom but it is ironic how America reinforces this however following a system of trading slaves- snatching away the black people’s freedom instead. Read MoreReflection About Mexican American Culture700 Words   |  3 Pages Being a Latina born in America and growing up here, I was taught celebrating American culture like Memorial, Independence and Labor Day, with the explosion of bright, colorful fireworks, the smell of fire when turning on the grill and the best part; no school! As well as celebrating Christmas and New Years the American way, going to church, eating, and opening presents on Christmas day are holidays Ive grown up to enjoy and celebrate a certain way. It wasn’t until 4 years ago I went to Mexico andRead MoreEssay about What to the slave is the fourth of july1060 Words   |  5 Pagesan orator. Once Douglass courageously escaped slavery, he became a high-powered abolishment activist in the movement to create equal rights for all Americans. 2 Douglass was invited to deliver the Independence Day speech addressing what the Fourth of July meant for the slaves.3 Instead of celebrating the accomplishments and legacy of America, Douglass strayed away from the norms of the holiday, and instead scorned the current American generation for its failure to provide justice to all AmericanRead MoreEssay on It’s Time to Put The Independence Back In Independence Day798 Words   |  4 PagesIt’s Time to Put The Independence Back In Independence Day â€Å"Jefferson and Washington fought a war for the principle of independence, meaning the moral right of an individual to live his own life as he sees fit.† - Michael S. Berliner Every Fourth of July Americas cities and towns fill with parades and fireworks, celebrating the Fourth of July, the birthday of America. But one hopes that--on the next Independence Day--the speeches will contain fewer bromides and more attention to exactlyRead MoreFrederick Douglass s Speech Was An Important Speech1417 Words   |  6 Pagesabout how slavery was seen in all aspects of his society then, and how the Fourth of July for slaves did not hold the same meaning as it did the white/non slaves. The Fourth of July was a day meant to celebrate the freedom and independence from the Europeans. Those who were not slaves enjoyed the newfound independence, while those enslaved did not because it was a constant reminder about how the country they lived in sought freedom, but they as slaves could not. He had made it clear that his speech was