After reading "The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro" by Frederick Douglass, I have realized that many people today have forgotten about the meaning of freedom, including me. On the Fourth of July, I used to watch the fireworks and maybe eat a nice dinner, but otherwise, it was just another normal day for me. Not anymore, however, because "The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro" has made me appreciate the struggles that African Americans went through to gain freedom. Back in 1852, when Douglass wrote the speech, the United States was divided by race. "This Fourth of July is yours, not mine" says Douglass, showing the divide between whites and enslaved blacks (Douglass 1). Douglass's sarcastic comments and harsh criticisms of the United States throughout the speech represent the struggles that African Americans faced during this time.
Slavery in the United states was abolished thirteen years after Douglass wrote "The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro", but this, unfortunately, did not mean the end of struggles for the African American population. In the late 1870s, the Jim Crow Laws were created. These laws restricted the freedom of African Americans by segregating many areas including means of public transportation such as buses. Cars actually have a special connection to this time period because they were used by African Americans to fight the nasty Jim Crow Laws. African Americans who had cars used them to avoid segregated means of public transportation and therefore lived generally safer lives. Even with cars however, life as an African American was difficult because segregation occurred nearly everywhere: restaurants, hospitals, schools and many other places.
If you want to read more about how cars helped African Americans against the Jim Crow Laws, then click here http://www.autolife.umd.umich.edu/Race/R_Casestudy/R_Casestudy2.htm
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| Frederick Douglass |
Slavery in the United states was abolished thirteen years after Douglass wrote "The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro", but this, unfortunately, did not mean the end of struggles for the African American population. In the late 1870s, the Jim Crow Laws were created. These laws restricted the freedom of African Americans by segregating many areas including means of public transportation such as buses. Cars actually have a special connection to this time period because they were used by African Americans to fight the nasty Jim Crow Laws. African Americans who had cars used them to avoid segregated means of public transportation and therefore lived generally safer lives. Even with cars however, life as an African American was difficult because segregation occurred nearly everywhere: restaurants, hospitals, schools and many other places.
If you want to read more about how cars helped African Americans against the Jim Crow Laws, then click here http://www.autolife.umd.umich.edu/Race/R_Casestudy/R_Casestudy2.htm
That's very interesting, as I always thought blacks had restrictions on everything during the Jim Crow era, and they would be unable to even purchase a car. Although it seems like this was freedom from public transportation, I bet that black people also got stopped a lot, and in the South, probably even thrown out of their cars in public. The article even states how it was difficult for them to go to rest stops, simply because they were closed to them.
ReplyDeleteI never really heard of the usage of cars as a way to avoid Jim Crow laws, and I find it quite unique. The use of cars serves as a glimpse into Americas past and how those oppressed found ways to still live there day to day life- no matter the odds.
ReplyDeleteThis was an interesting take on the speech. It's always interesting to see ideas explored in a new way, especially when something like a car can show the impact racism had on society then.
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