Parent Guide > What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?

by Frederick Douglass 1852

Welcome to the parent guide for this text! Read below to find out about what your child is reading in class and how you can support him/her at home.

This week in class, we’re reading "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" by Frederick Douglass.

Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) was an African American social reformer, orator, writer, former slave, and leading abolitionist. In this speech delivered to a crowd of abolitionists in New York, Douglass reminds his audience of the inherent hypocrisy of an "Independence Day" for people enslaved.

As we read, we will be discussing the themes of America, Prejudice & Discrimination, and Social Change & Revolution as they relate to the text. We are trying to answer these big questions :

"How has America changed over time?", "What are the effects of prejudice?", and "How do people create change?"

Ways to support your child:

  • Ask your child about this speech at home:
    • What was "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" about?
    • What did you learn about America?
    • What did you learn about Prejudice & Discrimination?
    • What did you learn about Social Change & Revolution?
  • Watch Frederick Douglass Videos - The Meaning of July 4th for the Negro at home with your child.