hypocracy of american slavery essays

hypocracy of american slavery essays "The white man's happiness cannot be purchased by the black man's misery." -Fredrick Douglass, The North Star His point was clear, all those years ago. As Fredrick Douglass presented his thoughts in front of the citizens of Rochester in 1852; they came expecting to hear a proclamation of national greatness, a celebration of liberty on the fourth of July. Instead, they heard a stirring denunciation of slavery and the white American way of life. Ex-Slave, Fredrick Douglass was asked by local leaders to deliver a speech as part of their Fourth of July celebration in front of a crowd whose majority was undoubtedly white.(Wheeler) They most likely approved of slavery possibly even owning slaves themselves.(Payne) Little did they know that Douglass was preparing to use this opportunity to let White America know that this is a celebration of white independence, not Black independence. He let them know that the "white" Fourth of July has a completely different meaning to the Negro men and women who still have not gained their independence from the white Americans who now celebrate theirs. The phrase "all men are created equal"(constitution) to these men and women seems to be a blatant lie, and Douglas is able to take this opportunity to bring this to the audience's attention. Douglass is doing many things with is phrasing in this speech. He is both accusing his audience, and informing them. He is also both arguing, and persuading them. He accomplishes this feat by using clear cut and undeniable logic. His main arguments against slavery consisted of two very simple principals. First, he says that Black men are not animals and do not deserve to be treated as such.(Williams) He says that when we are "unable to distinguish the slave from a brute, then I will argue with you that the slave is a man!"(Douglass) Second, he states that if Black and White men al ...