Social Sciences Knowledge Assessment- The Race Problem Speech by Frederick Douglass

Social Sciences Knowledge Assessment- The Race Problem Speech by Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass’s speech on the “Race Problem” in America in 1890 was a powerful condemnation of the South’s continued efforts to deprive black people of the rights they had recently gained. Douglass, a prominent African American abolitionist, orator, and statesman, delivered this speech at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. His central thesis revolved around the complex social, economic, and political challenges faced by African Americans in the post-Reconstruction South. Douglass began by acknowledging the progress that had been made since the abolition of slavery but emphasized there was strong resistance toward the freedom of black people, especially from the South. He pointed out that despite the legal end of slavery, black Americans were still subjected to various forms of discrimination, including segregation, voter suppression, and violence (Douglass 1).

One aspect of Douglass’s condemnation was directed at the South’s implementation of Jim Crow laws, which enforced racial segregation in public facilities, transportation, and other areas of society. These laws were designed to reinforce white supremacy and maintain the social hierarchy established during slavery. Douglass argued that such segregation was a blatant violation of the rights and dignity of black citizens. Furthermore, Douglass criticized the South’s efforts to disenfranchise black voters through tactics such as poll taxes, literacy tests, and violent intimidation (Douglass 2). These measures effectively prevented many African Americans from exercising their right to vote, undermining the principles of democracy and equality. Douglass’s argument was grounded in both moral principles and legal rights. He appealed to the conscience of his audience, urging them to recognize the humanity and equality of all people regardless of race. Additionally, he invoked the Constitution and the ideals of American democracy to demand equal protection under the law for black citizens.

The context of Frederick Douglass’s speech on the “Race Problem” in America in 1890 is crucial for understanding its significance. First, the speech was given in the aftermath of the Reconstruction era, which followed the Civil War and aimed to rebuild the South and ensure civil rights for newly freed slaves. However, by 1890, Reconstruction had largely ended, and Southern states had implemented Jim Crow laws to enforce racial segregation and disenfranchise black citizens. The period leading up to and following Douglass’s speech was characterized by widespread efforts to disenfranchise black voters in the South. Lastly, this period also witnessed a surge in racial violence against African Americans, particularly through the practice of lynching. Lynchings were often carried out with impunity, perpetuating a culture of fear and intimidation within black communities.

Looking at his history, Frederick Douglass, undeniably had certain biases shaped by his personal experiences. First, he was a black man who had experienced slavery, and this had an influence on his political ideologies whereby he supported the Republican Party as it was more supportive of the civil rights of black people. Secondly, having experienced extreme racism, he was bound to be biased against white people, especially those from the South who were trying to revoke the civil rights black people had been given.

This source has a direct connection to the themes addressed by Martin Luther King Jr. in his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. First, both speeches are grounded in a call for equality and justice for African Americans. Douglass’s speech condemns the ongoing discrimination and disenfranchisement faced by black people in post-Reconstruction America. Similarly, King’s speech highlights the unfulfilled promises of freedom and equality for African Americans in the 1960s. Secondly, both speakers appeal to the principles of American democracy and the ideals enshrined in the nation’s founding documents. Douglass invokes the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence to demand equal rights and protection under the law for black citizens; also, King references these same documents to argue for the realization of the American dream for all Americans, regardless of race.

Works Cited

Douglass, Frederick. “The Race Problem.” Excerpted by the National Humanities Center for use in a Professional Development Seminar, nationalhumanitiescenter.org/pds/maai2/politics/text2/douglass.pdf. United States of America.

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Choose ONE primary source from the provided list of options. Read through the source and any contextual information that is provided about the source. After you have carefully read the source write a short essay in which you address the following questions:

Please use only one resource.

What is the source’s central thesis? How does the author argue for this thesis?

Social Sciences Knowledge Assessment- The Race Problem Speech by Frederick Douglass

What is the context of the period in which this piece was written?
What potential biases might the author have and why?
How does this source connect with themes or ideas you have learned in your history or political science courses at HCC? Be specific and give examples.
The goal of this assessment is to demonstrate comprehension, historical connections, and the use of proper citations. Essays must be typed, a minimum of 600 words, and use proper citation.

Essays will be evaluated on the following criteria:

Knowledge and understanding of source thesis as well as bias (6a, 6d)
Ability to place the source in historical context & provide specific evidence (6b, 6e)
Critical analysis of the source by drawing comparisons to themes learned in social science courses (6a, 6b, 6c)
Use of frequent and direct references to the source (6d).
Use of proper citation (6e)