What Is The Message Of Frederick Stanley Jones Speech On Memorial Day

Brian Jones is a former U.S. Marine which he states in his essay, and that alone establishes a strong ethos in his essay. It is safe to assume that when people think of a U.S. Marine, it is believed that they are the pinnacle of patriotism. The connotation that a U.S. Marine has here in the States is someone who is willing to put their life on the line for their country to protect American values. The ethos established with the knowledge of Jones being a former marine is strong because how relevant it is to the topic of the argument. Jones states that, “…symbols of patriotism hold meaning wherever they appear across American society, including at sporting events,” meaning that since he was a former marine, he understands a citizen’s right to protest even during the National Anthem because it is under their belief that this is what they have fought

Many people in America take their freedoms for granted and fail to realize that some people don’t share those freedoms. Fredrick Douglass intended to remind Americans that the Fourth of July is not a day of celebration for African Americans, but a day of mourning. Douglass uses varied syntax, rhetorical questions, and appeals to emotions and logic to prove that slaves are human and that their manhood should be recognized, and to show the irony behind asking a slave to speak at a celebration of independence. Douglass uses short syntax to display the differences between himself and his audience, as well as long syntax to exaggerate the neverending struggles of African American slaves. Douglass states “I am not that man.”

Douglass was invited to give a celebratory speech to commemorate the birth of the United States, however, what he said instead was much more thought-provoking. Frederick Douglass was an escaped slave who grew to become a prominent figure and activist for the abolitionist movement. In his address, Frederick Douglass seeks to illustrate the ironic and faulty thought that he should be celebrating the Fourth of July with the anti-slavery society by dramatizing the parallels and hypocrisy of the current race relations in

Douglass establishes his credibility and authority on the issue of slavery and inequality in the United States by drawing on his own experience and expertise. He begins the speech by introducing himself as a former slave and expressing his sadness and disappointment at the Fourth of July festivities which celebrate the nation’s independence while ignoring the ongoing oppression of African Americans. He says, “I am not included within the pale of this glorious anniversary! Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us.” By acknowledging his own identity as a former slave, Douglass gives himself immediate credibility on the issue of slavery and inequality.

Frederick Douglas’s intention when writing this speech was to reveal hypocrisy within the nation. Intending for his words to reach and span all over America, in attempts to initiate change. Douglas delivered his speech on the 4th of July, a time when the nation celebrates the freedom of Great Britain, but more importantly the value of freedom that citizens have. However not all citizens possess this value, since African Americans are being enslaved and discriminated against by society, highlighting the hypocrisy within the nation. Addressing this issue in his speech, Douglas stated “ I am not included in this glorious anniversary.

When Obama is speaks about how Lewis was proud of the young activists who led the George Floyd protests, Obama asserts, “…he could not have been prouder to see this new generation of activists standing up for freedom and equality; a new generation that was intent on voting and protecting the right to vote; in some cases, a new generation running for political office” (Obama 6). This reveals that John Lewis was grateful of the people, who had not lived through the civil rights movement, confronting the social issues and discriminatory acts of the law. He emphasizes this belief by repeating the phrase “new generation” to call out to the audience, who are mostly of a generation past Lewis’ generation, to keep on promoting the ideas of social justice. Lewis and Obama believe in a generation that will succeed the works of John Lewis; they believe in a world that fosters a new generation of “John Lewises" who will fight for egalitarianism. John Lewis spent the entirety of his life fighting for impartial treatment for all American people, even addressing housing problems and poverty during his speech in the March on Washington; Lewis observing those who had never lived through the Civil Rights movement is a “passing of the torch” so to speak.

Jim Jones encouraged racial equality, as he accepted everyone at the People’s Temple. Jones even adopted a black child and two Asian children. There were many members who disagreed with the interracial beliefs, and at some point they were escorted out of the church for their disruptions. Jones

For white men, this is a day of gratification and happiness as All men(according to the Declaration of Independence) could escape the oppressive British control and live freely on new land, but for many African-Americans, including Douglass, this is a day of exile, pain, anguish, isolation, and deprivation. For the millions of white Americans, this “anniversary” is for them, not for African-Americans according to Douglass. I believe that there should not be any desire to celebrate this day because this day does not celebrate and/or symbolize the moment my ancestors gained freedom. Rather, this day serves as a rejuvenation of the white-hegemonic racial institution that continues to hinder the social, intellectual, economic, physical, and spiritual well-being of black and brown individuals. To further display the hypocrisy of this celebration, Douglas goes on to say “Fellow-citizens, above your national, tumultuous joy, I hear the mournful wail of millions!

Former President Barack Obama delivers an inspiring speech dedicated to one of the most well-known civil rights activists, Rosa Parks. As Obama addresses Parks in the National Statuary Hall of the United States Capitol building he uses comparison and repetition to convey Parks’ bravery and perseverance, as well as using biblical references to demonstrate what Rosa Parks has taught us and how she has helped change society for the better. Obama’s main purpose in giving this speech was to convey the power of Parks' actions and how they affected so many to follow in her footsteps. He not only wanted to recognize Rosa Parks’ actions but to also spread awareness of how to rebuild the foundation of prosperity and guide people on a path to less discrimination

In his speech he says “The sunlight that brought light and healing to you has brought stripes and death to me. This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice; I must mourn.” (Douglass, 2017, P.291).

Stanley Jones contains an innumerable amount of lessons applicable to missiology. (1) His obedience to the call of God on his life and promptings of the Holy Spirit remains truly admirable. (2) Jones' also set a precedent of openly sharing the Gospel with people of other religions without watering-down the truth. This lesson has increasingly become more relevant in the current era that celebrates relative truth. (3) Next, he contributed a legacy of authentic Christianity.

The graphic memoir, March, is a biography about Congressman John Lewis’ young life in rural Alabama which provides a great insight into lives of black families in 1940s and 50s under Jim Crow and segregation laws. March opens with a violent march at the Edmund Pettus Bridge, which the gruesome acts later became known as “Bloody Sunday,” during this march, 600 peaceful civil rights protestors were attacked by the Alabama state troopers for not listening to their commands. The story then goes back and forth depicts Lewis growing up in rural Alabama and President Obama’s inauguration in 2009. This story of a civil rights pioneer, John Lewis, portrays a strong influence between geography, community, and politics. The correlation between these pillars of March is that they have to coexist with other in order for John Lewis to exist that the world knows today.

He questions his audience of the significance of Independence Day to slaves, and he answers it in an extremely contrasting way: “your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; … your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery,” that the celebration is “a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages.” Douglass dismisses the national pride, characterizing it as a mere expression of people’s ignorance. The antithesis, with “greatness” being “vanity,” “sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless,” and “shouts of liberty and equality” being “hollow mockery,” provokes shock and anger from the audience, who have just been part of it and are now degraded as “savages.” However, Douglass was not trying to be inflammatory but provocative, witnessing the pathetic enthusiasm in the anniversary, that people feel exuberant about themselves while ignoring the saddening

He then backs it up with a logical appeal explaining what it feels like to be treated in this matter and not be able to change it no matter how hard or how much you may try even if what you're doing to make a difference is completely legal. “...I have been arrested on a charge of parading without a permit. Now, there is nothing wrong in having an ordinance which requires a permit for a parade. But such an ordinance becomes unjust when it is used to maintain segregation and to deny citizens the First-Amendment privilege of peaceful assembly and protest.” (MLK,277).

When most people hear the words “Fourth of July” they think about fireworks, cookouts, and sparklers. During the 1850’s, the Fourth of July served as a reminder of the many horrors and injustices in the world. On July 4, 1852, Frederick Douglass-- a former American slave, abolitionist leader and adroit speaker-- spoke in Rochester, New York about the affectation of celebrating independence. In his speech, “The Hypocrisy of American Slavery”, he claims celebrating independence is unethical when slavery is widespread. To convince the reader of his claim, he uses rhetorical questions, emotional appeal, and antithesis in hopes of shedding light and sparking action on the wrongful situation.