For this discussion, read Frederick Douglass’s speeches “The Hypocrisy of American Slavery” and “What the Black Man Wants” and post a 250-word response to the following 2 questions. Answer both questions in your post, and respond to 3 original posts of others.Question 1: How does Douglass expose the inconsistency between the founding principles of the United States and the experience of those whose rights are not honored? Consider particularly: “Whether we turn to the declarations of the past, or to the professions of the present, the conduct of the nation seems equally hideous and revolting. America is false to the past, false to the present, and solemnly binds herself to be false to the future. Standing with God and the crushed and bleeding slave on this occasion, I will, in the name of humanity, which is outraged, in the name of liberty, which is fettered, in the name of the Constitution and the Bible, which are disregarded and trampled upon, dare to call in question and to denounce, with all the emphasis I can command, everything that serves to perpetuate slavery — the great sin and shame of America!” – From “The Hypocrisy of American Slavery” “What to the American slave is your Fourth of July? I answer, a day that reveals to him more than all other days of the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mock; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are to him mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy – a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages.” – From “The Hypocrisy of American Slavery” “We want it because it is our right, first of all. No class of men can, without insulting their own nature, be content with any deprivation of their rights…I want the elective franchise, for one, as a colored man, because ours is a peculiar government, based upon a peculiar idea, and that idea is universal suffrage.” – From “What the Black Man Wants” Question 2: What do you think the call for justice could accomplish that mere benevolence, pity, and sympathy cannot? Consider particularly: “I am not asking for sympathy at the hands of abolitionists, sympathy at the hands of any. I think the American people are disposed often to be generous rather than just. I look over this country at the present time, and I see Educational Societies, Sanitary Commissions, Freedmen’s Associations, and the like,—all very good: but in regard to the colored people there is always more that is benevolent, I perceive, than just, manifested towards us. What I ask for the Negro is not benevolence, not pity, not sympathy, but simply justice.”
