Life, Struggles, and Social Activities of Frederick Douglass

Annotated Bibliography Assignment

Wilson, K. H. (2018). Political paradoxes and the Black Jeremiad: Frederick Douglass’s immanent theory of rhetorical protest. Howard Journal of Communications, 29(3), 243-257.

The article by Kirt H. Wilson analyzes the controversial nature of Frederick Douglass and his views on America and the long history of slavery in the United States. On the one hand, Douglass strongly criticizes racism in America, and on the other hand, he argues the country’s uniqueness and superiority on the global stage. The author contemplates how this duality had reflected in the writings of the great American orator.

The article was written by Kirt H. Wilson, Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences and African American Studies, the President of the Rhetoric Society of America Associate. The work was published in Howard Journal of Communications which focuses on ethnic and interracial communication issues. The paper’s main focus is on specific principles of Frederick Douglass’s rhetoric which helps to analyze the What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July? speech according to the unique approach of its author.

Williams, F. J. (2018). Look at Lincoln: Frederick Douglass: Prophet of freedom. Civil War Book Review, 20(4), 2.

The book investigates the life, struggles, and social activities of Frederick Douglass. It looks into the character of the great reformat who cared deeply for the future of his people and his country. The history of his life is described in detail, reflecting Douglass’s complex and devoted striving for the rights of African Americans during difficult events of his times.

The author of the book is an Abraham Lincoln scholar and author, as well as a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island. He published the book as the first biography of Frederick Douglass, collecting unique pieces of information that is difficult to find among the works of other historians. Reading this biography will help the reader process his What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July? speech based on his own experience of the former slave, and his own beliefs on the future of American social foundation.

Douglass, F. (2018). The speeches of Frederick Douglass: A critical edition. Yale University Press.

The book is a collection of twenty speeches of Frederick Douglass that are of considerable historical value for modern society. His speeches are known for addressing the issues of slavery, human rights, economic and social development. They are a source of wisdom and the revolutionary nature of the orator. Thus, the book is structured as a continuous analysis of his thoughts and statements, as well as an assessment of the effectiveness of his public performances.

The book was published by Yale University Press as an educational source. The book’s authors give a precise analysis of the orator’s speeches and allow the reader to evaluate the presented statements through the modern point of view. Reading the book will help to see the What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July? speech more critically and notice the information that could have been undetected at first.