“What to the Slave is 4th of July?”: James Earl Jones Reads Frederick Douglass’s Historic Speech
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- Опубліковано 25 лип 2024
- In a Fourth of July holiday special, we hear the words of Frederick Douglass. Born into slavery around 1818, Douglass became a key leader of the abolitionist movement. On July 5, 1852, in Rochester, New York, he gave one of his most famous speeches, “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro.” He was addressing the Rochester Ladies Antislavery Society. This is actor James Earl Jones reading the speech during a performance of historian Howard Zinn’s acclaimed book, “Voices of a People’s History of the United States.” He was introduced by Zinn.
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James Earl Jones' voice is so rich and powerful. He could read anything and make it sound amazing
olusheyi banjo facts..
Yes! I came here just to hear him read
The man could probably sentence you to death, and you'd probably hold your head high, stick your chest out, & proclaim . . . I AM READY.
@@YellowPaint100 for real. LMBO
Except what he read was amazing..his voice didnt make that..
"Do you citizens mean to mock me by asking me to speak today?" ....Wow.
Yes...that's exactly what their intentions were. Although, the Most High!, gave this brotha a tremendous! amount of discernment to see and hear them plot, before hand. Halleluyah!
Amazing the Courage and Boldness of this great man, D. Fredrick, at that point in time, to speak Truth to Power damming the consequences.
The Freedom of today, stands on the shoulders of his like.
@@dellamcghee468 Well, he was invited to speak by the Rochester Ladies Anti-Slavery Society. Surely abolitionists expected a speech regarding abolition or the absence of liberty when they invited a famed abolitionist to speak on "Independence Day".
@@dellamcghee468 - This was an abolitionist group. I think that they were naive and not thinking what the date meant to slaves and others under the bootheel of white America. So he told them.
@@animalcookie - They just didn't expect him to tell them what the date meant to slaves.
It's 2022 and this still resonates today! Thank you, Mr. Douglas.
No lies all truth from way back much respect to our ancestors and Mr.Jones 💯‼️
That's what they were thinking when they tore down his statue.
@@degamispoudegamis look it up.
Frederick Douglas was, continues to be and will always be a light to people of good sense and who naturally say NO to the tyranny of any kind.
Alexandre de Oliveira Arruda ...well said.
Alexandre de Oliveira Arruda
I agree with you dear Mr Arruda.
May you long Live and prosper.
@victor soto if that was true it would be way different lol
I'll celebrate the 4th of July when Congress and the nation celebrates the passage of Juneteeth.
Oh say can you see / by the drone's early flight / what so proudly we heil / at eternal wars streaming. / Doctor Strangelove's red glare / riding bombs everywhere / gave proof through the night / that our MIC was still there. / Oh say does that star-swatted hammer yet wa-ve / o'er cycles of bigotry-ee / and the wealth of the depraved
@@grantmarcus5675 the United States fought the civil war and give a whole month just to one race as well as numerous benefits like help with school and work as well as being a protected group in most places id say you should celebrate july 4th the U.S.A did that for you but do what you want cause that is also what we fight for so you can do and say whatever you want unless your white and vote for trump then you cant lol
thank you Democracy Now for opening with this very necessary speech TODAY!
And you have a new subscriber.Queen ❤🕊
Luke, I am your father.
I'll celebrate the 4th of July when Congress and the nation celebrates the passage of Juneteeth.
Oh say can you see / by the drone's early flight / what so proudly we heil / at eternal wars streaming. / Doctor Strangelove's red glare / riding bombs everywhere / gave proof through the night / that our MIC was still there. / Oh say does that star-swatted hammer yet wa-ve / o'er cycles of bigotry-ee / and the wealth of the depraved
Grant Marcus, you’re free to leave the country.🤷🏾♂️✌🏾
@@k1dork So you like endless wars, bigotry, and wealth for the few haves, and poverty for the rest of us? Shame on you.
Thanks you for standing up for brothers and sisters from the black community.
We don't need light, we need the FIRE, not the rain, the STORM. Powerful words
Remember that Fredrick Douglas was at first an illiterate slave who later became one of the greatest orators!!!!
And James Earl Jones had a speech impediment, a hardcore studder, before he became the the great speaker he is. How about that.
Janet Burrus indeed. Those of Light will rise no matter the darkness around them
@Janet Burrus then why are the impoverished and meek more likely to die from natural disasters, diseases, and starvation?
You sound jealous, but oh wait he was, then, but GOD, he wasn't loool haters, you need to be scared for your life
@Janet Burrus Actually had nothing to do with any gods, Douglas was an atheist. He just had will power and a vision.
No blind patriotism from me, ever. Thank you, DN!
@Tax-bitchass biyatch And you have no clue what a real patriot is. Only fools blindly follow. Clowns like you need to read
Tax-bitchass biyatch so it’s your assertion he be a blind patriot?
Tax-bitchass biyatch good argument smh
I love his voice he can make you feel like you were there when this speech was written and said
The damn nerve that they even had to ask Fredrick Douglass to do this speech was astounding..
This was an anti-slavery society. Their main crime was naivete about how slaves and freedmen viewed the nation and its history.
@FullBlown - Thank you for that enlightenment. I had no idea if not for your efforts, as I am sure is the same for many others. Shame on this channel, Democracy Now, for cutting such a critical part.
He delivered. Lord knows he delivered
James Earl Jones! Nobody brings a vision of Frederick Douglass to life like him.
Morgan Freeman
Exactly! We should take Frederick Douglass words to heart and spirit. Once my ears and eyes were open more to the truth of all the deception lies and falsehoods, I turned back to the "Most High!"...even more so. My brotha's and sista's...we must reach out ten times more daily, in order to be delivered from the clutches of the morden day Pharoahs. We must do this my family. Let not these words of wisdom and "Freedom be in Vain". We shall overcome with faith and perseverance. We shall not... and will not...ever... for evermore give up! Stop serving these false gods....as Frederick Douglass says; these are not our holidays. There is no holiness in these days for us. Let us do and not give lip service. Our Most High!" Is all 'POWER and Glory' Halleluyah!! Shalom
@@dellamcghee468
The irony of black Christians is enough to make even more iron shackles than slavery ever could!!!
To see a Christian black man(or woman) is to see a devout Jewish Orthodox Nazi worshipping Hitler on his or her free time…
It makes no sense!
They used that religion to justify enslaving you!
And you still think they think of you as equals?
Religion is divisive!
It tells every race they are specially created and “unique” and we were not created, we’re all one race of advanced evolved great apes who achieved consciousness….
them blm wern't worth a fk then and you still aren't, you were bought not sold, blame your own kind who sold you to the british
@@dellamcghee468 All that and you finish with the Jewish God's praise....the greatest slaver of your people...it's unreal.
I listen to this reading every fourth, and it feels more and more relevant every year. This year more than any other.
I'll celebrate the 4th of July when Congress and the nation celebrates the passage of Juneteeth.
Oh say can you see / by the drone's early flight / what so proudly we heil / at eternal wars streaming. / Doctor Strangelove's red glare / riding bombs everywhere / gave proof through the night / that our MIC was still there. / Oh say does that star-swatted hammer yet wa-ve / o'er cycles of bigotry-ee / and the wealth of the depraved.--As MLK once said, a country that spends more money on the military than it does on social uplift, approaches spiritual bankruptcy.
Safura Salam, you’re a slave?
@@k1dork no Safura is not a slave; BUT YOU ARE!
william shafer, How do you figure?
Yes sister that's what I say.
This was amazing and UNFORTUNATELY still NECESSARY TO HEAR!!!! I honor Frederick Douglass and Mr. James Earl Jones for reading his ever so moving speech.
This man's voice is legendary
I don't know how Frederick Douglas sounded in 1853, but I do believe he'd be proud of Mr. Jones's interpretation. Anything James Earl Jones reads aloud turns to holy scripture gold. I feel like I should say Amen! The true embodiment of the voice of God... Or Satan if he plays Vader.
KINGKADE Cade A true blessing that is so richly deserved!
Thank you 🙏!!!
I would listen to JEJ read a phone book... his voice is so deep and resonant.
@Kingkade i have to think he sounded like Mr. Jones with a baritone voice.
@@nospam3327 😂😂😂
Facts
Thank you Fredrick Douglass & James Earl Jones for reminding us of the hypocrisy surrounding this day, that this wasn't "Independence Day " for everyone. 😐
That's what makes it super special, being able to keep it from others. Freedom is only valuable if other people don't have it.
JEJ's hypocrisy marrying into his ancestors' oppressors. Bm like him are so lame. 😲
Gwen Esis his first wife was black and his second wife was an abolitionist.
@@TheTezExperience I was talking about JEJ.
No one said it was Independence DAY for everyone. Dummy. Its noy hipocrisy if it wasnt claimed to be for all. Does Slovenia celebrate it? Ok then. You on that bullshit. And Douglas was a Republican. Good for him.
Thank you Mr. Earl Jones, with the memory of Mr. Fredrick Douglas well spoken words..
Amazing!!! Still resonates today on so many levels. It's still a country for the few not the many.
After reading his autobiography, he will forever remain one of my heroes. His sheer determination to learn to read, write and later escape slavery without the help of the Underground Railroad has forever challenged my values.
And to not only become literate, but highly literate, to the degree that his mere existence totally negated any arguments about the inferiority of his people. His choice of words, his ability to craft a compelling phrase, and the moving character of the prose are all top tier.
Hello and support from France : kisses for the great James Earl Jones.
Hey, France. How about you decolonize these African nations you are occupying.
@@goldenleopard9778
Unfortunately, the current government (Macron & CO) will not change anything (sorry for my english).
France???? Im not gonna place u in the same category of ur forefathers. But France tho...
This speech still resonates in 2024.
Awesome writing by Frederick Douglass and read so well by James Earl Jones. I never heard this reading by Mr. Douglass, I am ashamed to say as a 67-year black woman, just hearing this for the first time. Mr. Douglass must have been a great man, the look on his face tells strength, truth, and courage.
FREDERICK DOUGLAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
HOUSTON, 3RD WARD, TX.
BLACK POWER!!! 💪🏿✊🏿🙏🏿🖤🖤🖤
✌🏿
A very eloquent, accurate, and wholly appropriate denunciation of the hypocrisy of this holiday.
All this and Trump has a military parade. No blind patriotism here...
In the words of the reputed historian Noel Ignatiev: "Treason to whiteness is loyalty to humanity."
lifestraight, you’re not a slave.🤷🏾♂️
beanie0112, bullshit. It’s a celebration of the country.
There is nothing wrong with that.
You are one of the few rational people commenting here.
YOU REJOICE
I MUST MOURNE 😢
That's heavy and very true.
Although I missed hearing this on July 4th I appreciate Democracy Now for doing this video and bringing awareness to the American people. What a great speech and do Mr. James Earl Jones did a fantastic job in reading it.
Yep and this is why I won't ever celebrate Independence day and that alone doesn't make me Anti-American it makes me true to my roots!
What a good job James Earl Jones is such a befitting narrator!
Many miles before I sleep....we have a long way in front of us until we can say we have a true, vibrant and passionate liberty, equality and fraternity.
The last 3 years and more have set us all back. Set us all back so far it'll be a long, hard way back to here. You ready?
Helen Bobo aye aye !
Helen Bobo, what rights did you lose in the last 3 years?
@@k1dork We weren't talking about rights specifically. I was speaking of the eroding of American society caused by division caused by fear and ignorance. It's part and parcel of making america great again, I guess.
As for the rights I've lost...maybe none that I know of. But I know loss of rights is in the works for everybody except the very rich. But especially for those who go along with the people who claim they hate who you hate. You don't realize they hate YOU, too. You are nothing except a means to an end that won't favor you either.
Helen Bobo, division that is equally caused by “progressives.”👍🏾
Stirring words, delivered by a brilliant person, on behalf of a brilliant person. All I can do is nod my head.
100%
Had the declaration not stated "All men are created equal" slavery would have continued for several generations. Fredrick Douglas himself has even stated that the declaration is the backbone of freedom for America.
Fred was a gangsta with the added gift of eloquence! This is about the best “f-you” I’ve ever heard.
People do not want to hear the truth and unfortunately do not even know history because it has been hiden from them and told lies to justify the tyranny that took place!!!
👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿
Funny but so true
This eloquent speech is still relevant today. What a shame
Which is why I don't see why Black Americans celebrate "Independence Day" when they were Slaves on July 4, 1776. How does that day apply to you? What is the significance to you? Is it just an occasion to have a cookout?
@@jordanabeaulieu2530 if you don't believe it's any better than you are in bad shape. look at all of the blacks that have made it to the top
Cry baby.
It's heart wrenching, my dear friend, that THIS is still relevant TODAY. Crying
Beautiful speech! I love this speech!!
It should be more blacks young and old should comment on James Earl Jones speech of Mr fredric Douglas fourth of July speech wow power to my people
Right On! brotha. Mr. James Earl Jonea did an Outstanding job! Shalom
Why is that? Do we not live it?
High Five to James Earl Jones~!
High Five to the late Howard Zinn.
Peace begins from within..
Fewclothes!
Stoney Curtis I’m pretty sure Kurt Vonnegut is up there with them too, or at least the guy in the back that it briefly shows flipping through pages sure kooks like Vonnegut.
I do not understand this thread.. 😆
Peace begins with justice
High five to the creator, of this work of art, Frederick Douglas
Rochester ny is my home.we always pay homage to Fredrick Douglas.
Great Job Frederick Douglas and James Earl Jones! Blessed
We the children of ex - slaves have lost the meaning of the holidays we now celebrate without knowing the truth behind them. Thank you for the wake up call.
Sad thing is..not all of us will get this
@Ms. Elizabeth oh no... no one here wants to hear what actually happened...it ruins their whole outlook on life...they want to remain on the plantation, only now its mostly in their minds...sad
Lots of people celebrate things that they have no idea where it originated or what it represents. Not saying it's a great idea but people just like to party.
@@willieross3745 how small minded. Missed the message about liberty and freedom to focus on the point of leaving here if it is not appreciated. If we all go back to where we came from, we would be with the Lord. If you do not believe in the Lord, than we would all go back to the dark times of tribalism and distrust. Would you not rather stay here and learn from both the errors and successes of those before us? Would you rather not show grace and love your neighbor- or even tolerate them? We are all migrants. Let's all show show courtesy to our guests and be gracious hosts.
Wake up call? Stfu this speech is from 1852 . if you think this speech still holds true in 2020 then you're deranged and delusional. Quit blurring the lines between the modern day and the distant past. Almost 170 years have past since this speech was given at the time he was 100% right but no not today. Every citizen in America should be proud of the 4th of July in 2020 . this is the most free, diverse and inclusive country on the planet.
Brilliant! ❤ I would love to have been able to witness the faces of those Rochester Ladies!
I would have love to be in the room as well. I believe they were in awe. And not because it's an awesome oration, but because the truth was being put on front street, today's vernacular.
This is the first time I have ever heard this and Frederick was right, it wasn't freedom for us.
Powerful words that sadly still ring true today! 😔
This is a powerful speech
Your channel has become a part of my ongoing self - education. Thank you very much. Greetings from the Czech republic, Central Europe.
Jan Kořínek just be careful m8. Serves a purpose and has its place but you will end up with a very distorted view of the world when you rely on these far right leftists to educate yourself.
Maybe watch libertypen videos. Or ayn rand.
Just to balance this stuff out.
From germany
Oh well if we can trust the right wing of any country it's Germany...
Joe Avreg lol
„Right wing“ - socialists...?!
Just so nice to see these morally superior humans like you always taking the same low approach.
Surprise a German that knows nothing about nazis. They were/are fascists. It's just true that it's an ultra-right wing ideology. The first people rounded up and put in the first concentration camp were the left wingers, many of whom were the members of the party he had been fighting because they weren't willing to be ultra-right wing fascists like Hitler, the child molesting, incestuous, dog beating creepy weirdo and necrophile.
Joe Avreg lol
Surprise.
A left wing nut socialists that doesnt know that hitler in fact was a socialist.
Socialism was his preferred economic order, if you like it or not.
Socialists in russia also shot other socialists.
Socialists in south america shot and killed other socialists.
What does that prove?
Just a stupid point...
Stalin was a socilist and so was mao...
They killed even more.
Socialism and things run by centralists or bureaucrats generally tend to be corrupted.
Thats the flaw of socialism.
Free markets arent perfect.
Nothing is.
Deal with it.
That man could read the dictionary and make it sound so interesting. He made Frederick proud that day
Such a powerful, strong voice, thank you both for this reminder of what the fourth of July means.
If you need a reminder, you're no American...and if you need it from HIM...even more so...
Frederick Douglass are those worth to be praised. Standing up against the oppressor and tell them the truth in their faces are the top heroes.
Hypocrisy Is the Constitution of the United States of America.
Why would any caring and thoughtful people choose to build the principle of what is so good and just, on what we know today as so bad and wrong? It would be like the German people 235 years from now start placing Adolf Hitler ideas in it's constitution and justifying his only slight antiquated misdeeds . . . . then washing it all down with "preserving history".
Exactly Why do only black people need civil rights after 13th and 14th amendments. However we still weren't equal . no equal rights still this day
Paul Trought do you live in this country?
@@lindar.4882 Affirmative.
. . . . and living here matters what?
I listen to this speech every year, happy "independence" day America.
As do I. And I also play it for the fam so that we can bond over FD’s genius and eloquence for telling the truth.
🇺🇸
@@christagreen729 ❤
them blm wern't worth a fk then and you still aren't, you were bought not sold, blame your own kind who sold you to the british, even mlk said his own kind is the problem
I will read more of Frederick Douglass writings. So articulate, profound and powerful!
I wish there was someone running for president who had his voice and gift for speaking! I could listen to this great man all day long
I wish someone with or without his voice ran for POTUS that' more importantly, understood and actually meant what the spirit of the passage he read conveys.
Thank you for sharing this! 🤗
" it is not light that's needed, but the fire! It's not showers but the storm!" many times reading his autobiography and even now I shed tears for the ancestors and those of us here today in this demonic chaos!
I have always felt this way of the 4th of July without any knowledge of this great speech. I'm proud that my views about this and many other things in society have not obstructed my belief system. Thanks for this confirmation.
Mind blowing speach...why didn't we hear this speach growing up! I will listen to this speach every 4th of July.
Listen to the full version. Not this one edited to excite hate.
@@reyes2446 to exite hate? its nothing but the truth
@Reivax Nyc It was true for the time he gave the speech. 10-15 years after that speech, the Civil War would occur, and many whites would kill other whites to free all slaves. Even though anti-slavery supporters won the day, anyone with white skin is considered privileged and a racist just for being born white. We as a country need to stop blaming the sins of our past generations on people with only the same outward skin color. I harbor no hate in my heart for any person or group of people. The same should be the case for those who claim I am the enemy.
You know why it isn’t taught
@@reyes2446 it’s not inciting hate it’s the truth & history 🤷🏽♀️ you want to bar ppl from learning the truth
Time has passed, but slaves still exist at $7.50 minimum wage. Liberty and Justice are NOT for all.
Slave trade still goes on in Africa today, with the full participation of black leaders. It's time blacks face their own humiliating history during slavery: when Africans learned of the value of the slaves, tribes immediately went to war with one another for over 100 years, just to sell their own people for profit. That’s quite a subject for Black History Month. If blacks themselves didn't have respect or compassion for their own race, why should anyone else?
@B N Braughton Tell that to trafficked individuals. And there is such thing as debt slavery.
You couldn't have said it any better that Julie, that's the most eloquent and simple statement, I've heard yet. You are Woke!!!🙂 I've already given myself my own Declaration of Independence over 10 years ago. All I would add is we need to abolish the Slavery of;
the Federal Reserve...
the IRS...
the American Empire...
the American Police State...
and the Welfare/Warfare State...
Frederick Douglass had it right, "I did not know I was a Slave until I found out what I could not do". What a more fitting indictment of the relationship between the American Public and the United States Government...
There are convicts working for 14c an hour who were convicted of nonviolent offences and disproportionately imprisoned because of their race. That is genuine slavery in the traditional sense.
... there are still actual slaves in this country. They are usually sex slaves or tomato pickers. Just fyi. Numbers are unknown because they count offenses by incident rather than number of individuals within an incident.
Spoken on the day July 5, the day I was born 1971 not into slavery but as a free baby, my heart goes out to all those babies born into this world as slaves and died as enslaved people
This speech is more needed now than ever. JEJ is not only a legendary actor, but a soldier for freedom justice and equality.
Holy shit I got chills, man
Wooow...what a leader that should be thought in school all over the world!
Yes...all of the slaves true history should be taught in schools globally! They're not because; of the deceit and lies.
Powerful! Many of us feel this way today!
Almost 300 years later and this is still such a relevant piece of art. His words ring true in 2022.
no longer relevant. Slavery ended, bro.
Native people's don't care much for the date either! IJS
i don't think anyone's listening! say it again louder for those with their ears covered!
Indigenous people were independent before the White man stole their land.
With good reason.
@@lindiwengwevela524 true
@@lindiwengwevela524 Whatever helps you sleep at night. Who did they steal it from first? Because Indians were not native to this land. Nor were they being reasonable in killing new PEACEFUL settlers. They started a war they couldnt finish. Your point?
Thank you for this DN and Amy and JE Jones and Frederick Douglas. Blessings to all. ❤️✌🏼
I feel like he was both reading from the script and speaking from the heart. The power of James Earl Jones. Remember!!!🦁
I’m a 47 y.o. BLACK Man...and this speech blew my mind...not because of it’s beautiful content...simply because... I have never heard it before! Thanks Mr. Douglas and Mr Jones(both are literary geniuses)... that’s real talk!!!
James Earl Jones can read anything to me all day. 😊
He has an anointed voice for sure, and used it for a very powerful.and mighty speech. Shalom
Rosa West Yep, I would listen to him read the phone book.
@@nosbigem - Jay Leno once had him read a list of words. He made 'guppy' sound good.
Enough of the way he sounds!!! Are you understanding the MESSAGE???
I could hear this man read doctor seuss and I'll still be in amazement.
Real history, no alternative facts.
My mom was an historian and professor and taught classes til she was 84, continued research and writing til 90. She tried to retire from teaching at 62, but went back to it because she said they stopped teaching "real history" and "hard history."
There is a significant part of the speech OMITTED. Near the end, there is this:
"I differ from those who charge this baseness on the framers of the Constitution of the United States. It is a slander upon their memory, at least, so I believe. There is not time now to argue the constitutional question at length - nor have I the ability to discuss it as it ought to be discussed. The subject has been handled with masterly power by Lysander Spooner, Esq., by William Goodell, by Samuel E. Sewall, Esq., and last, though not least, by Gerritt Smith, Esq. These gentlemen have, as I think, fully and clearly vindicated the Constitution from any design to support slavery for an hour.
Fellow-citizens! there is no matter in respect to which, the people of the North have allowed themselves to be so ruinously imposed upon, as that of the pro-slavery character of the Constitution. In that instrument I hold there is neither warrant, license, nor sanction of the hateful thing; but, interpreted as it ought to be interpreted, the Constitution is a GLORIOUS LIBERTY DOCUMENT. [sic] Read its preamble, consider its purposes. Is slavery among them? Is it at the gateway? or is it in the temple? It is neither. While I do not intend to argue this question on the present occasion, let me ask, if it be not somewhat singular that, if the Constitution were intended to be, by its framers and adopters, a slave-holding instrument, why neither slavery, slaveholding, nor slave can anywhere be found in it. What would be thought of an instrument, drawn up, legally drawn up, for the purpose of entitling the city of Rochester to a tract of land, in which no mention of land was made? Now, there are certain rules of interpretation, for the proper understanding of all legal instruments. These rules are well established. They are plain, common-sense rules, such as you and I, and all of us, can understand and apply, without having passed years in the study of law. I scout the idea that the question of the constitutionality or unconstitutionality of slavery is not a question for the people. I hold that every American citizen has a right to form an opinion of the constitution, and to propagate that opinion, and to use all honorable means to make his opinion the prevailing one. Without this right, the liberty of an American citizen would be as insecure as that of a Frenchman. Ex-Vice-President Dallas tells us that the Constitution is an object to which no American mind can be too attentive, and no American heart too devoted. He further says, the Constitution, in its words, is plain and intelligible, and is meant for the home-bred, unsophisticated understandings of our fellow-citizens. Senator Berrien tells us that the Constitution is the fundamental law, that which controls all others. The charter of our liberties, which every citizen has a personal interest in understanding thoroughly. The testimony of Senator Breese, Lewis Cass, and many others that might be named, who are everywhere esteemed as sound lawyers, so regard the constitution. I take it, therefore, that it is not presumption in a private citizen to form an opinion of that instrument.
Now, take the Constitution according to its plain reading, and I defy the presentation of a single pro-slavery clause in it. On the other hand, it will be found to contain principles and purposes, entirely hostile to the existence of slavery."
Douglass was a pro-Constitution Republican.
Democracy Now ,that was much appreciated . History has many sides . And our history is usually hidden. Thank you. New subcriber right here
Very Powerful.
July 4, 2020
Never a better time to hear this than today
Frederick Douglass was on a whole another level of thinking. Sheesh !!!!!
Bold and brave every word spoken in the given speech, how dare he!!
who still bumpin this in 2019?
Poignant words repeated approximately 150 years later by an iconic and haunting voice.
Frederick Douglas's speech was Absolutely PROFOUND!
RESPECTFULLY ,THANK YOU
MR.JAMES EARL JONES!
them blm wern't worth a fk then and you still aren't, you were bought not sold, blame your own kind who sold you to the british, even mlk said his own kind is the problem
Frederick Douglas Always Deserves The FIST PUMP OF Righteousness
Wow!!!!! What I didn't know about the 4th of July. This was very eye opening. Thank you for this.
Words of truth..from a Legend and a real HERO..in his time and now in this time blessed be the truth from MR F.D
God bless America, I pray our country will strive to grow and develop as we still have a long journey ahead of us! What a crucial part of our history! If we want to “make America great”, we need to understand each other, our histories, and what is required of each individual American to truly help our country develop!
It still rings TRUE TODAY ❤️✌️
In other words, Douglas to white people:
I find your lack of faith in freedom disturbing.
Lol
Not funny mutt
There were also black slave owners FYI.
😆😆😆
@@NJLev I heard of one black man in the early 1600s but the rest of the black people that owed slaves were their family members that they bought back from white slave owners. Then white people wrote laws that we couldn't own shit and if we did they took it
Thanks you Mr. Jones for reading with your lovely voice. God bless you.
So true, and what American's need to hear today
Bravo James Earl Jones this is one of my favorite favorite speeches bravo bravo Frederick would be proud I see his face smiling 🇺🇸♥️💎😇🐟⚔️🛡️👑🔥🕊️✝️🎇✔️
He was such an eloquent scholar.
THE BEST SPEECH IN AMERICAN HISTORY!!!!! MOST POWERFUL!!!!
Listen to this speech every 4th of July.
I read the whole of this speech earlier today, taking many notes and sometimes having to read it’s brilliance aloud to my brother as he came in and out of the room. It never denounced the constitution, on the contrary, but it did call to carpet anybody of the day who loudly or silently supported slavery in any way, especially the church of the north and south. It denounced the, then new, Fugitive Slave Law and the ills it surely had already commenced to bring throughout the country. I believe he was a man of faith in and imparted wisdom from Jesus Christ. He abhorred the fact that some stood by as if they did not know the inhumanity of slavery. This entire speech should be required reading for seminary students and high schoolers everywhere especially America. And through such diligence, the serpent of slavery may never rear it’s ugly head again and is most definitely eradicated in all forms from the earth. I encourage you to read the whole thing.
Then maybe he SHOULD HAVE denounced the constitution. Its was not then or now divinely inspired and beyond reproach...........as its many amendments lay bare.
@@greganderson6849 Yes. The Constitution is thoroughly pagan, absolutely anti-Christian.
@@greganderson6849 Maybe so. I discerned sincerity in his words at the time I read it. I hope I will still hear that through the knowledge and wisdom I have been blessed to gain since then. We'll see.
I agree this this should be required history especially to blacks the truth biblical Israelites. I no longer or will ever celebrate any of man's holidays. I only celebrate God's feast days from the bible
Sadly, slavery exists in many parts of the world still.
Dam when James Earl spoke it felt like I was automatically transported in a time machine or something
I love James Earl Jones readings. He's just so perfect. God bless him.
We all must move forward together. In the past I was not accepted as a man, I was a commodity, I do not hold this against anyone. I will remember all that my people have endured many injustices and still have a headwind of obstacles that stand against us. I have served my nation and will continue to server and protect our beautiful nation. Please have a heart and look at history and understand it can be ugly and painful but it is history. Much Love!
James Earl Jones we love you.
Big thanks to mr Jones on Behalf of English speaking people for Reading this wonderful words of mr Douglas.
Religious freedom is the Foundation of Democratic Values.
Legendary words and a legendary voice.
Fredrick Douglass. Yes. What A Man..💜💜💜🙏🏾. Praise and Glory.. Thank you Sir . Always remembered in my Heart...
Need to be played on 4th of July on all radio stations and played on Juneteenth 😔👌😭🙏
This speech is still very very relevant in today's age.
It’s astounding how true these words are even today
I couldn't have spoken this speech any better
Very brave man, telling it how it is.
Still relevant to this day