250 years ago, Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, putting to paper the American ideals of freedom, equality, and the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But what did this declaration mean for indigenous and enslaved people in America?
Any honest commemoration of July 4th must recognize the true history of the time – between one third to two thirds of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were enslavers. Some British called out the founding fathers for their hypocrisy, and 76 years later, so did formerly enslaved abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
In 1852, the Rochester Ladies Anti-Slavery Society – yes, women have been organizing for good for a long time! – invited Frederick Douglass to give the keynote address at their Independence Day event. There he delivered, “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro,” now also referred to as, “What to the Slave is the 4th of July?”
Douglass pointed out the hypocrisy of celebrating the Declaration of Independence while still enslaving people, and called upon America to make freedom a reality for all.
Earn your Easy A this week by watching James Earl Jones read some of the address:
Slavery has ended, but we still have a lot of work to do to fully live up to the promise of America outlined in the Declaration of Independence. Come back next week to honor America’s 250th by taking action!