Respond to peer based on peer’s answer (What to the slave is the fourth of July ?
The book what to the slave is the fourth of July, represented perseverance as the author who is African American was asked to give a speech on Fouth of July. Douglas, in his speech expressed that fourth of july was not meant for him or anybody of the black race to celebrate, since it reflected freedom, liberty and justice for all, which was not the case for the african american community. There was no freedom and liberty as they were being enslaved ,abused and sold like they were not humane. He mentioned that he wanted them to compare the punishment that was given from different parts of the world and see that the united states of America still outranked any other place with their terrible actions towards africans and african americans, as quoted :”Go where you may, search where you will, roam through all the monarchies and despotisms of the old world, travel through South America, search out every abuse, and when you have found the last, lay your facts by the side of the everyday practices of this nation, and you will say with me, that, for revolting barbarity and shameless hypocrisy, America reigns without a rival”.pp972 .He mentioned that it was very hypocritical of them to ask him to go on the stage to give a speech to celebrate 4th of July and has America to be untrue to their principles and claimed that days of slavery shall soon be over.
The Invisible man
In the story the author Raulph Ellison showed perserverance, as he went through many trials trying to find himself and his true identity. Ellison decided to move to Rochester New York , was so tired of being treated and seeing other african americans treated less as humane , being backstabbed and having many events happen in his life from being kicked out of college , being in riots and seeing his brotherhood friend get shot from the police has made him realize that no matter where you try to be accepted and included in the prejudiced and racist America, the probability will be unlikely possible.Elliot decided to go into a hole where he can be able to reflect and find himself as he quoted “I was looking for myself and asking everyone except myself questions which I, and only I, could answer. It took me a long time and much painful boomeranging of my expectations to achieve a realization everyone else appears to have been born with: That I am nobody but myself.” pp.1160 .Elliot showed alot of perseverance in the story to prove his point and survive a racially divided society.
References
Douglas, F (1852),What to the slave is the fourth of july? ,Gates, H. L., Jr., & McKay, N. Y. (2004). The Norton anthology of African American literature. 2nd ed. New York: W.W. Norton
Ellison,R (1952),Invisible Man,
Gates, H. L., Jr., & McKay, N. Y. (2004). The Norton anthology of African American literature. 2nd ed. New York: W.W. No
