What
is the Fourth of July? Many people would say the answer is simple: independence
day. But in a country as diverse as the United States this
question could be answered a thousand different ways. Lots of Americans view
this as a day of celebration with family and friends. However, in Frederick
Douglas' speech, "The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro", he states,"
Fellow citizens, above your national, tumultuous joy, I hear the mournful wail
of millions! whose chains, heavy and grievous yesterday, are, to-day, rendered
more intolerable by the jubilee shouts that reach them". In this quote he
is referring to the millions of slaves who have not yet been freed. How then
can America rejoice in their freedom when all are not free? Douglas raises this
question throughout his speech and prompts his fellow citizens to make a
change. Since this speech was written in 1852 lots has changed. However, we are
still a very divided country. There is still lots of discrimination that occurs
each day throughout America. Many people say that we have made great progress
in achieving equality among all races, and that is true but we still have a
long way to go until we fully achieve equality. Another example of a race who
is often discriminated against is the Native Americans. Looking at Fourth of
July from their point of view you would imagine they would love the holiday
right? I mean they were the first Americans. Actually, many Native Americans
hate the holiday. For them it is just a painful reminder of the tragic history
of their ancestors. To them the fourth of July celebrates the very people who forced
them off their own land and almost ruined their whole culture. So for many
people the Fourth of July is a day full of celebration and fun with the ones we
love the most. But next Fourth of July we should also take a moment and think
about how it would feel to be a member of a minority on a holiday solely for
the majority.
Click here to listen to the speech by Frederick Douglas:
Nice job! I really enjoyed reading your thoughts about the minorities on Fourth of July. I really liked at the end how you stated "how it would feel to be a member of the minority on a holiday solely for the majority". I also appreciated the visuals.
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