This powerful phrase comes from a speech delivered by Frederick Douglass on July 5, 1852, where he eloquently questioned the meaning of American independence and freedom for enslaved people. Douglass's address emphasized the stark contrast between the celebration of liberty on Independence Day and the ongoing oppression faced by African Americans, highlighting the hypocrisy of a nation that proclaimed freedom while simultaneously enslaving millions. The speech calls into question the true nature of freedom and justice in America, making it a critical reflection on the injustices faced by Black individuals during that period.
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