James Earl Jones reads Frederick Douglass's July 4th speech
For America's 250th, I read Frederick Douglass’ speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” on the House floor—for the first time in history. His speech endures as a mirror & mandate for us all—to confront our inequities while fighting for an America as good as its promise.
HTTP 1.1/418 Eldritch Teapot of R'lyeh110I was surprised that it hadn’t been read into the record before, then paused and thought for a moment and realized that, no, it’s not that surprising, is it. Thanks for doing this.
ericjanssen.bsky.social39The Fourth of July celebrates the day that South Carolina agreed to sign the document ONLY after Thomas Jefferson struck all anti-slavery mention out of it. (I learned that from a freakin’ MUSICAL. In sixth grade.)
Divanyst26Thanks, Congresswoman for reading the speech into the record. It still applies & today, I think of this part: "Fellow-citizens; above your national, tumultuous joy, I hear the mournful wail of millions!" War survivors, vets, homeless, sick, disabled, in poverty, dying from preventable situations...
sanityzone.bsky.social19I've been listening to audio book of American Struggle by @jonmeacham.bsky.social. He included this speech. Delivered 9 years before the Civil War, was SCATHING. It should not just be read into the congressional record. It should be taught in schools.
bizzarist.bsky.social16Lady Congresswoman Ayanna, my fiance read me this, and I did not know that Frederick Douglas had written it..When I listened to the words thinking she had written it, then she told me she had not..My fiance is a brilliant autistic strong black woman, whom I call my Autistic Rainbow Unicorn..If
Blue Jaye 📷🎵 💙11I am not celebrating (over) 250 years of the genocide of Native persons and the enslavement of Africans. There is absolutely nothing to celebrate about this country being around so long.
C.A. Pinkham21This is the type of political theater we gotta start doing more of
Do Not Obey. We are Democracy.18If you have not read "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July" please do. Essential education. teachingamericanhistory.org/document/wha...
@GangstaGranny10@chieki.bsky.social @kerirn2.bsky.social @ldog562.bsky.social @circlesspinning.bsky.social @eddsmitty.bsky.social This touches my heart, my very soul. "What to the slave, is the 4th of July." Something to contemplate as we try to find a reason to be a proud American. This is why #Juneteenth has ↔️
WorldPeaceForYou3Conservatives hate that Africans,African-Americans,Haitians,migrants& 1st Nations built 🌍&🇺🇸. cc @pressley.house.gov @mayor.nyc.gov @democrats.org youtu.be/pHGOYsFRPUM?... youtu.be/DWIHOIZVZtE wwnorton.com/books/born-i... www.zinnedproject.org/materials/in... youtu.be/bjBb7f5KqVI youtu.be/bZlJCRR1OME
Liz Tufte Art & Design3For the 250th, I’m rereading “Are Prisons Obsolete?” by Angela Davis. Her enduring research connects the dots so we can understand the systems that profit from controlling and punishing us— and see ways to change it.
intlguy56.bsky.social3Outstanding selection!! Thank you, Congresswoman Pressley!
Always Listen To Learn2Good for Rep Pressly. A powerful rebuke of our fetishized white Fourth of July.
topiltzin.bsky.social2Frederick Douglass' speech reminds me of a great book I am currently reading: "The Rediscovery of America: Native Peoples and the Unmaking of U.S. History" by Ned Blackhawk. He makes a similar point to Douglass:
What to the slave is the 4th of July? This was the woeful question of Frederick Douglass, one of the greatest Americans.
John Wallach3He's being recognized more and more I heard.
L.A.Roberts1The cashier at the gas station this morning, an immigrant herself, wished me a happy Independence Day. I told her I wasn’t feeling it. Tomorrow, I will celebrate her hope. Douglass summed it up more eloquently than I ever could. Sharing history is truly heroic, when so many selfishly ignore it.
Frederick Douglass’ ‘What to the Slave Is Your 4th of July? – July 5, 1852 A leading abolitionist delivers a broadside to those who celebrate Independence Day when so many remain enslaved
Heather4Most people have never read the entire Declaration of Independence. After the preamble, they list grievances. It's a rich, white man's grievances. The don't mention Black people at all % refer to indigenous people as 'merciless Indian savages.' They wanted to enslave people, plunder the land of
Andy Heppelle🇺🇸🇨🇦🏳️🌈🇺🇦🇬🇱🇺🇳🏳️⚧️14th of July, Independence Day🇺🇸 The Declaration of Independence🇺🇸 & U.S. Constitution🇺🇸 define our nation, where: “ALL men (people) are created equal and endowed with unalienable rights…life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” this song calls us to make those words true at last🇺🇸 youtu.be/i30SdcfEpSE
Blue Texan1His message applies now to the thousands of ICE detainees who are being held for too long under horrific conditions, and some of whom are dying in these for profit prisons. That is why the UN is investigating them.
Michael Corthell1America’s founding promise was never meant to sit behind glass as a beautiful sentence from another age. It was meant to trouble us, guide us, and call us forward.
