Today the internet has become a very import resource of academic references. The books that reports on the life and writings of Frederick Douglas can now be easily retrieved from online resources. The online source of information is one of the secondary sources of data that aid in learning. Philip S. Foner in his book The Life and Writings of Frederick Douglas publishes Frederick Douglas: Fourth of July Oration (1852). It is amazing how a book that is published in the year 1950 to describe the life of a historic icon who lived through the period of Pre-Civil War Decade can be retrieved through the internet to reveal the true meaning of Independence Day. However, this book, as a source of this information is considered a secondary source because it publishes information that has been retrieved from the website.
Frederick S. Foner. Frederick was a historian and teacher (Foner 1950). He displayed much prowess in his publications, much of which are still used for reference today by people that study the American History. Frederick S. Foner became a public figure following his demotion from a teaching position he held at the City College of New York because of his political views. Nonetheless Philip S. Foner published this article by Frederick Douglas in his book to appeal to all citizens to appreciate the role of Fourth July in the American History. Frederick in his oration begins “Fellow citizens…” These citizens include the President[1].
To begin with, Fourth July is so important to every individual in America. Even the author knows this better. He highlights that the principles of political freedom and natural justice that are included in the Declaration of Independence should be honored for the Fourth July Independence to make sense to every citizen. He acknowledges that the Independence Day should be celebrated by every citizen[2]because it symbolizes the jubilations of a nation that is free at last.
Again, Fourth July is the day that is set to commemorate the Independence Day in America. This article was written for one key objective: to reveal why it is important for a nation to celebrate its independence day. The article publishes importance of Declaration of independence which is a big tool that unites all Americans. Independence symbolizes a free nation whose “chains of servitude have been torn from her limbs” [3] and that this should be a source of joy for every citizen.
Independence comes with much freedom. Before the independence of America there was great racial segregation and slavery with great cruelty and injustice. The slave was generally discriminated against. The slave did not share in the prosperity and independence at the time of pre – civil war decade before Independence Day. Justice and liberty is all the slaves all wished. Fourth July symbolizes an end to all these. In the after math of freedom and independence, what has the nation strived to do to ensure that all citizens have acquired that freedom that they longed for? And has America at this very hour done enough to be a nation that is not guilty of practices more shocking and bloody? Has this freedom bought the leverage for all the injustices of slavery and malpractices of the precolonial era?
Works cited
Foner, Philip S. “Frederick Douglass: Selected Speeches and Writings.” 188 – 206. Chicago: Lawrence Hill, 1999.
The Life and Writings of Frederick Douglas, Vol (II). New York: International Publishers Co. Inc, 1950.
TeachingAmericanHistory.org. A leading online resource for American History teachers & students. n.d. http://teachingamericanhistory.org (accessed November 15, 2015).
[1] A source of one of the speeches: Frederick Douglass: Selected Speeches and Writings, ed. Philip S. Foner (Chicago: Lawrence Hill, 1999), 188-206 highlights how Frederick Douglas began his speech
He addressed every individual;
[2] I am not that man: Frederick Douglas says that how will not be the man left out to join in the celebrations of his country that is free at last. He juxtaposes all the traits of individuals to draw reasons for not joining in national’s jubilation and sees none. Even the one that believe are oppressed join in this celebration
[3] That the chains of servitude have been torn from their limbs is the reason why Frederick Douglas would want to join in the nation’s jubilation
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