Blog #1

On July 5, 1852 Fredrick Douglass, who was once enslaved himself, gave a speech about the meaning of the fourth of July to black slaves (Joe). For most people, the fourth of July is a time of celebrating freedom and patriotism, but unfortunately for black slaves they were generally not allowed to celebrate (Joe). Some people believe that the black slaves were not allowed to celebrate the fourth of July because they feared that it would give them ideas of freedom (Joe). In his speech, he talks fondly of the men who were the signers of the Declaration of Independence, but then he begins to tell about the fourth of July from the point of view of black slaves (Joe). For example, he says "What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer, a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim." (Foner 13). This passage is a great example of how the black slaves felt on the fourth of July. I think that Fredrick Douglass and Emerson have quite a few philosophies that are similar. For example, both Douglass and Emerson believed that slavery was bad and they were both against it (Brewton). Both Douglass and Emerson also strongly believed in independence, which goes hand in hand with them being against slavery (Brewton). It seems that both men also have a strong belief that everyone should learn from their own experiences (Brewton). Although I think that both Douglass and Emerson share many of the same philosophies, I do think there is a difference in the writings of them. I think that it seems like Fredrick Douglass' writings are more from a logical point of view and that Emerson's writings are more spiritual. For example, throughout his speech Douglass talks about American Institutions, the slave trade, and American politics. To me it seems like these topics are more logic based than spiritual.

Bibliography

Foner, Philip S. "Africans in America/Part 4/Frederick Douglass Speech." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 07 Feb. 2012

Joe. "Frederick Douglass: On the Meaning of the 4th of July :: Racismreview.com."Racism Review. Racism Review, 4 July 2010. Web. 07 Feb. 2012

Brewton, Vince. "Emerson, Ralph Waldo [Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy]."Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Web. 07 Feb. 2012