Question

WHAT TO THE SLAVE IS THE FOURTH OF JULY?

Answer 1

Frederick Douglass, 1818-1895, was an African American who sought throughout his life to bring social reform to the U.S and to stop slavery and its consequences not just on the African American people, but on the entire nation at large. Having been a slave himself, he escaped bondage and gained his freedom after escaping to England and Ireland thanks to the education he attained from his former owner. He also became an orator and dedicated his life to the abolition movement. In this particular speech, given on the ocassion of a Fourth of July celebration, Douglass does not so much expound on the greatness that means celebrating this national holiday of independence but rather on the fact that not all Americans, including African Americans, can enjoy it because some are still tied through slavery. He mentions the fact that he was basically coarced to speak on this day as if he were also a part of it, happy for it, but in truth he decides to show his listeners that he is first, and foremost, black and he sides with slaves completely. Because of his choice in this matter, of making people aware of who and what he is and was, he says clearly, from the 3rd paragraph, lines 1 through 16, that celebrating the 4th of July with them, when so many of his brethren suffer bondage would be treason. This is why, the correct answer is C.