Frederick Douglass 4th of July Speech

Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR

07/02/2013 01:00:55 PM · #1

Danny Glover re-enacts Frederick Douglass's incendiary speech in Rochester NY in 1852, 10 years before the Civil War began.

Extraordinary speech...

Message edited by author 2013-07-02 20:29:28.

insteps

Ricoh GR III

07/02/2013 01:23:14 PM · #2

Really enjoyed this. Thanks for posting.

tnun

Ricoh GR III

Pentax DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6ED AL [IF] WR DC

07/02/2013 01:54:48 PM · #3

thank you, Bear.

markwiley

Fujifilm X-Pro2

Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R IOS

07/02/2013 05:08:40 PM · #4

Much to think about as the 4th of July approaches.

blindjustice

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

07/02/2013 08:15:33 PM · #5

Excellent find Bear; Now that is a speech.

RayEthier

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

07/02/2013 09:41:18 PM · #6

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Danny Glover re-enacts Frederick Douglass's incendiary speech in Rochester NY in 1852, 10 years before the Civil War began.

Extraordinary speech...

I would agree that the contents of the speech were indeed "extraordinary"... the presentation was OK.

Ray

RayEthier

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

07/02/2013 09:45:23 PM · #7

Originally posted by RayEthier:

Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Danny Glover re-enacts Frederick Douglass's incendiary speech in Rochester NY in 1852, 10 years before the Civil War began.

Extraordinary speech...

I would agree that the contents of the speech were indeed "extraordinary"... the presentation was certainly not one of the best orations I have heard.

As is the case regarding most things, personal preferences play a great role in one's appreciation of a subject matter.

Ray

illini75

Canon EOS-50D

07/02/2013 09:50:16 PM · #8

Thanks for sharing. That is a tremendous speech. Makes one pause and think.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

07/02/2013 09:51:02 PM · #9

It's about the speech, not the presenter. Glover did a so-so job IMO, but still I'm grateful SOMEBODY put it out there in this format for us to experience.

RayEthier

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

07/02/2013 09:55:04 PM · #10

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

It's about the speech, not the presenter. Glover did a so-so job IMO, but still I'm grateful SOMEBODY put it out there in this format for us to experience.

...and I wholeheartedly agree with you my friend...and when one considers when the speech was made, it clearly demonstrates the character of the orator.

Ray

blindjustice

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

07/02/2013 09:57:57 PM · #11

I think Danny Glover did a good job. Slowly built up steam, didn't over do it. Wasn't in costume, let the words of the speech come through. It was important not to preach it.

And, he didn't even say "I'm gettin to old for this shit" once! (That's a reference for Lethal Weapon fans)

BrennanOB

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

07/02/2013 11:22:42 PM · #12

Having just finished Kern's "team of rivals" the speech brings home to me the thin gruel of modern political speech. In 1840 a speech could last hours, and would assume a knowledgeable and interested audience, wishing to wrestle with deep and complex issues. Today from the shapers of public thought, we hear sound bites, and easy platitudes, and the most horrible offense is a speaker being a member of the elite, out of touch with the lowest common denominator. The speeches of self educated men like Lincoln or Douglas seem impossibly complex to our age.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

07/02/2013 11:31:48 PM · #13

Originally posted by BrennanOB:

The speeches of self educated men like Lincoln or Douglas seem impossibly complex to our age.

Yes, that's what strikes me as well: how sad it is, how much we've lost. Has ANY politician since Adlai Stevenson even ATTEMPTED to address lofty issues through power of intellect? And that was what, nearly 3/4 of a century ago?

Of course, Douglass wasn't a politician... Perhaps M.L.King, Jr. was in his ballpark in terms of rhetoric and ideals merged... But WHO, since then?

Is there anywhere in the WORLD where that sort of ideal is being upheld anymore? What a watered-down age we live in!

Message edited by author 2013-07-02 23:33:43.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

07/02/2013 11:43:37 PM · #14

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

It's about the speech, not the presenter. Glover did a so-so job IMO, but still I'm grateful SOMEBODY put it out there in this format for us to experience.

I'm not entirely sure how you can tell, but you're quite right.. So-So at best. Flubbed a few pronunciations that I have no doubt Mr. Douglas would have CRINGED at.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

07/02/2013 11:44:38 PM · #15

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by BrennanOB:
The speeches of self educated men like Lincoln or Douglas seem impossibly complex to our age.

Yes, that's what strikes me as well: how sad it is, how much we've lost. Has ANY politician since Adlai Stevenson even ATTEMPTED to address lofty issues through power of intellect? And that was what, nearly 3/4 of a century ago?

Of course, Douglass wasn't a politician... Perhaps M.L.King, Jr. was in his ballpark in terms of rhetoric and ideals merged... But WHO, since then?

Is there anywhere in the WORLD where that sort of ideal is being upheld anymore? What a watered-down age we live in!

You'd be branded a lunatic if you spoke so eloquently today.