"What to the slave is the 4th of July?" Frederick Douglass and a Movement for Black Lives
Episode 45 of Redneck Gone Green
Howdy folks,
On Tues, July 2nd Mary Hooks of Movement 4 Black Lives (M4BL) will join us as a guest on Redneck Gone Green. We will be talking about the profoundly important speech “What to the Slave is the 4th of July” delivered by Frederick Douglas in 1852. We will also explore the Vision and Policy Platform of M4BL
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Below my signature are my thoughts and links to a few essays for folks who want to go deeper on these topics. As always, we ask you to participate in this growing community by liking, commenting, and sharing our content.
Onward to the world we deserve,
David Cobb (he/him)
Why I put my pronouns in my email signature
Frederick Douglass
On July 5th, 1852 Frederick Douglass delivered his powerful speech, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" at an event commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In this speech, Douglass highlighted the stark contradictions between the ideals of liberty, justice and equality celebrated on Independence Day and the brutal and horrific reality of slavery that was codified in the law and culture in the United States.
Douglass began by acknowledging the significance of the Fourth of July for American citizens, but quickly shifted to the perspective of enslaved African Americans. He argued that for slaves, the celebrations of freedom and independence were a mockery, as they were denied these very rights. Douglass underscored the hypocrisy of a nation that proclaimed freedom while holding millions in bondage. He criticized the complacency and complicity of American society, including the church, in perpetuating slavery.
One of the central themes of Douglass's speech was the moral and ethical responsibility of the American people to abolish slavery. He invoked the principles of the Declaration of Independence and the Bible, calling for immediate and unconditional emancipation. Douglass's eloquent and impassioned oration served as a call to action, urging his audience to recognize the humanity of enslaved individuals and to work tirelessly for their liberation.
The lessons from Douglass's speech resonate profoundly today, especially for those struggling for Black Power and Liberation. Douglass's emphasis on moral clarity and the urgent need for societal change parallels the contemporary fight against police brutality, mass incarceration, economic oppression, and other forms of racial injustice.
Douglass's speech teaches us the importance of confronting uncomfortable truths and challenging the status quo. It reminds us that platitudes about America ring hollow. Douglass's words are a powerful reminder that the struggle for freedom and equality is ongoing and that it requires unwavering commitment, clarity, courage, and solidarity.
Movement for Black Lives (M4BL)
The Movement for Black Lives (M4BL) is a coalition of organizations representing Black communities across the United States. Launched in 2014, M4BL has articulated a comprehensive Vision and Policy Platform aimed at addressing systemic racism and advancing social, economic, and political equality and liberation for Black people.
M4BL's Vision and Policy Platform was introduced in 2016 and is structured around six core demands: End the War on Black People, Reparations, Invest-Divest, Economic Justice, Community Control, and Political Power. These demands collectively outline a transformative agenda for achieving justice and equality.
1. End the War on Black People: This demand calls for an end to state-sanctioned violence and criminalization of Black communities. It seeks the abolition of the death penalty, the end of cash bail, and the demilitarization of police forces. M4BL advocates for policies that protect and affirm Black lives and hold law enforcement accountable for misconduct.
2. Reparations: M4BL demands reparations for past and ongoing harms suffered by Black people due to slavery, segregation, and systemic discrimination. This includes economic compensation, as well as investments in education, healthcare, and housing to address racial disparities.
3. Invest-Divest: This demand calls for the reallocation of resources from policing and incarceration to community-based initiatives that promote safety and well-being. M4BL advocates for substantial investments in education, healthcare, and employment opportunities for Black communities.
4. Economic Justice: M4BL seeks to address economic inequality by promoting policies that ensure fair wages, worker protections, and access to quality jobs. This includes advocating for a living wage, affordable housing, and economic support for Black-owned businesses.
5. Community Control: This demand emphasizes the importance of self-determination and democratic control over institutions that impact Black lives. M4BL calls for community oversight of police, schools, and local government, ensuring that Black communities have a direct say in decisions that affect them.
6. Political Power: M4BL aims to build independent Black political power by increasing voter participation, combating voter suppression, and supporting Black candidates and political organizations. This demand focuses on achieving equitable representation and influence within the political system.
The Vision and Policy Platform of M4BL serves as a blueprint for systemic change, emphasizing the need for comprehensive reforms to dismantle structural racism and promote the well-being and empowerment of Black communities. Through grassroots organizing, advocacy, and coalition-building, M4BL continues to push for these transformative policies, inspiring a broad movement for racial and economic justice.
I live in NE Alabama
I speak to every Black Person I see(mostly at grocery stores ) I introduce myself, where I live and that I'm retired, if they seem interested I talk about where I've lived. (CO, PA, CA, China, Tanzania, and traveled to (too numerous to write here).
I try to make short and state I'm making a survey of my own to gather information to report back to your organization. I've spoken to 6 person's in two week, NOT a large sample and most of them are not Citizens. Most from West Africa where English was a secondary language.
End of survey
The slave/master relationship remains with us as employee/employer.