Frederick Douglass
Mr. President, Friends and Fellow Citizens:
He who could address this audience without a quailing sensation, has stronger nerves than I have. I do not remember ever to have appeared as a speaker before any assembly more shrinkingly, nor with greater distrust of my ability, than I do this day. A feeling has crept over me, quite unfavorable to the exercise of my limited powers of speech. The task before me is one which requires much previous thought and study for its proper performance. I know that apologies of this sort are generally considered flat and unmeaning. I trust, however, that mine will not be so … Click source below to read the entire speech.
Source: “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?”
My Comments: This is an absolute must read for all who care about humanity. It is a bit long, but Douglass poses several important questions that get to the heart of what the 4th of July really means in the context of our shared history. Great stuff!