LAD #16: Frederick Douglass' "5th of July"

Frederick Douglass discusses how the 4th of July represents the independence of the white American, but not of the black American. He states as those that are celebrating the holiday are rejoicing, there are people who are suffering due to a lack of freedom. The freedoms that are enjoyed by the whites are not enjoyed by the blacks, and stating that the 4th of July only serves to greater emphasize the distance between blacks and whites. This distance also emphasizes the hypocrisy of the nation, stating that the celebration is but "a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages."