Black Agenda Report
Black Agenda Report
News, commentary and analysis from the black left.

  • Home
  • Africa
  • African America
  • Education
  • Environment
  • International
  • Media and Culture
  • Political Economy
  • Radio
  • US Politics
  • War and Empire

"What to the Slave is the 4th of July?" read by Ossie Davis
Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
01 Jul 2022
🖨️ Print Article

Black Agenda Radio · "What to the Slave is the 4th of July?" read by Ossie Davis

On July 5, 1852 Frederick Douglass was asked to speak on the topic of the nation’s independence celebration. Now known as "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?", the speech was a stinging indictment of slavery in the U.S., but the words are still relevant to Black people 170 years later. The late Ossie Davis read excerpts from Douglass’s remarks.

Slavery in U.S.
Frederick Douglass

Related Podcasts

Frederick Douglass
Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
"What to the Slave is the 4th of July?" read by Ossie Davis
03 July 2024
As we grow closer to the Fourth of July, BAR once again shares
Twenty Dollars and Change: Harriet Tubman and the Ongoing Fight for Racial Justice and Democracy
Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
Twenty Dollars and Change: Harriet Tubman and the Ongoing Fight for Racial Justice and Democracy
03 March 2023
Black Agenda Radio July 1, 2022
Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
Black Agenda Radio July 1, 2022
01 July 2022
We discuss reproductive justice in the wake of the supreme court ruling which overturned the Roe v. Wade decision.

More Stories


  • John Kerry Did It 
    Ann Garrison, BAR Contributing Editor
    John Kerry Did It 
    08 Jan 2020
    The “it” being: put Republicans in power by allowing George Bush to steal the presidency for the second time, in 2004, with no assistance from Russians, Wikileaks or Jill Stein. 
  • In the Year Ahead, Both Perils and Prospects Exist for the American Left
    Danny Haiphong, BAR Contributing Editor
    In the Year Ahead, Both Perils and Prospects Exist for the American Left
    08 Jan 2020
    There may be two political parties in the United States, but there is only one ruling class agenda.
  • Ready for the Roaring ‘20s?
    BAR Poet-in-Residence Raymond Nat Turner
    Ready for the Roaring ‘20s?
    08 Jan 2020
    This Orange Age outrage— Reich of the child’s cage Cancer at fourth stage— Rogue state’s rampage… is a tiny blip on capitalism’s  Continuum…
  • Beware Imperialist Gaslighting – Assassination is Not Legal
    Mark P. Fancher
    Beware Imperialist Gaslighting – Assassination is Not Legal
    08 Jan 2020
    The U.S. government has been in the business of killing foreign leaders for a long time – but it’s still a crime.
  • The Anti-War Movement is Fired Up!
    Kevin Zeese and Margaret Flowers
    The Anti-War Movement is Fired Up!
    08 Jan 2020
    It is imperative that the antiwar movement grows exponentially very quickly and becomes a major force in 2020.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us