What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? (Books of American Wisdom)

In an elegant hardcover edition, Frederick Douglass’s seminal speech "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" comes to life, inviting middle-school readers into the heart of America’s ongoing racial justice discourse. First delivered in 1852 before the Rochester Ladies' Anti-Slavery Society, Douglass’s audacious words challenge the celebrations of independence by a nation that kept millions enslaved. Using poignant references from the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bible, Douglass not only exposes the stark hypocrisy of his era but also articulates a fervent hope in America's potential for radical moral and social transformation. This book serves as a crucial educational tool, providing the full context of Douglass's powerful critique, as he underscores the role of faith leaders and the church in perpetuating slavery. Published on July 1, 2023, this compelling presentation of Douglass's vision is as urgent and relevant today as it was in the nineteenth century, making it essential reading for young individuals poised to shape the future.