It is considered one of the best speeches in the history of the United States, delivered at a Rochester, New York, Independence Day event in 1852 by abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
“It is the birthday of their national independence and their political freedom,” he said, noting: “The distance between this platform and the slave plantation from which I escaped is considerable.”
Today, across Massachusetts, communities come together to read the speech aloud during the July 4 holiday. The tradition started 11 years ago.
“What surprised me most about people’s reactions is the great joy many of our residents show in reading the address,” said Keidrick Roy, Ph.D. candidate for American studies at Harvard University, who directs the lectures in Somerville, a Boston suburb. “The conviction with which they read Douglass’s words is inspiring. It is contagious,” said Roy.
Douglass escaped slavery in 1838 and fled north, becoming a leader in the fight to abolish slavery entirely.
“This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You can be happy, I must cry.”
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If Independence Day was a time to launch a parade, it would be the rain:
“What is your 4th of July for the American slave? I reply, one day that reveals to him, more than every other day of the year, the great injustice and cruelty of which he is the constant victim. For him, your celebration is a sham. “
Roy said: “When Douglass points out the injustice and cruelty they were subjected to in 1852, I couldn’t help but draw a line immediately to our current day. When I turn on the television, I see people of color still being subjected to injustice and cruelty. “
The Civil War was still almost a decade away, and slavery remained firmly in place. Douglass wanted to make it clear: This was an emergency.
New Yorker magazine contributor Kelefa Sanneh asked, “Do you think the people who heard this speech at the Rochester audience in 1852 would have been shocked or surprised by some of this?”
“I think they might have been surprised or surprised by Douglass’s boldness,” Roy replied. “But they would have been amazed at his eloquence.”
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“Fellow citizens, I do not want to respect the fathers of this republic. The signers of the Declaration of Independence were brave men. I cannot contemplate their great works with less than admiration.”
“The speech begins with Douglass being very friendly and conversing with the crowd,” Roy said, “making the crowd take an interest in what he’s about to say … and then harshly criticizing the United States.”
“He boasts of his love of freedom … while the entire political power of the nation solemnly pledges to support and perpetuate the slavery of three million of his compatriots.”
“Although he does say that the Constitution, for example, is still a ‘glorious document of freedom.’ And then, towards the end, it gives us a sense of hope, that the United States will achieve what it could become.”
“Despite the dark image that I have to this day of the nation state, I do not despair of this country. There are forces at work that must inevitably work the fall of slavery.”
Douglass saw the abolition of slavery in 1865. And, Roy said, the people of Massachusetts will continue to share his words and learn from his example.
Sanneh said: “He seems convinced not only that the country can do better, but also convinced that it will do better.”
“Douglass is very convinced. He believes at his core that this country will do better,” said Roy. “He advocates change, and sees progress being made. But he doesn’t budge.”
“That is one of the key messages that his speech has for us today: Nor can we give in to our desire to agitate to change the country.”
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Story produced by Mary Raffalli. Editor: Carol Ross.
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