“The Meaning of July 4 for the Negro” by Frederick Douglass, Read by Ossie Davis Sound Recording
July 4
The fourth of July, Independence Day, has always been a complicated holiday for those whom the promise of equality in the Declaration of Independence of the United States does not fully apply to. What does it mean to celebrate freedom when people have been enslaved or had their land stolen? When people are imprisoned, disenfranchised, discriminated against, killed? The promise and hope of freedom and equality are powerful, and for many this holiday remains a celebration of gains in the face of adversity. An important point of reflection on the topic is Frederick Douglass’ 1852 speech “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” This Folkways sound recording captures the voice of Ossie Davis reading Douglass’ speech. For more info visit:
https://folkways.si.edu/ossie-davis/frederick-douglass-the-meaning-of-ju...https://nmaahc.si.edu/blog-post/nations-story-what-slave-fourth-july
