Welcome to Flag Steward's 'Be a Stud Citizen'
Half-Staff Alerts & Reminders from Our Flag
(relaying Civics info & US History memos)
for Monday, July 5, 2021
[ S. Sweeney pic at Hyannis port in July 2020 ]
Half-Staff Alerts & Reminders from Our Flag
(relaying Civics info & US History memos)
for Monday, July 5, 2021
[ S. Sweeney pic at Hyannis port in July 2020 ]
Where is Our Flag, the U.S. Flag, at half-staff today?
[ CLICK HERE to see Half-Staff alert details, including pics of honorees ]
Today's Historical Moment from Our Flag
... recalls "What to the Slave is the 4th of July?" ...
... recalls "What to the Slave is the 4th of July?" ...
[ circa 1852 pic of Frederick Douglass = public domain image ]
On this date, July 5th in 1852, Frederick Douglass delivered a stirring speech to the Rochester Ladies' Anti-Slavery Society. In this speech, he praised, but mostly criticized America's Founding Fathers. He commended them for rallying support and winning independence from Britain in the name of "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." And, he reprimanded them for not truly instilling and living up to their beliefs and the Declaration of Independence's tenets - especially that "all men are created equal."
Here is an excerpt from Douglass' speech:
"What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national independence? Are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence, extended to us?...What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim."
This speech, later entitled, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?," became known as Douglass' most famous speech.
Now, take a few minutes and listen to James Earl Jones powerfully perform this speech.
Here is an excerpt from Douglass' speech:
"What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national independence? Are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence, extended to us?...What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim."
This speech, later entitled, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?," became known as Douglass' most famous speech.
Now, take a few minutes and listen to James Earl Jones powerfully perform this speech.
Today's Insightful Quote from Our Flag
... reveals Douglass' truthful, startling view of American slavery at the time ...
“The crack you heard, was the sound of the slave-whip; the scream you heard, was from the woman you saw with the babe. Her speed had faltered under the weight of her child and her chains! that gash on her shoulder tells her to move on. Follow the drove to New Orleans. Attend the auction; see men examined like horses; see the forms of women rudely and brutally exposed to the shocking gaze of American slave-buyers. See this drove sold and separated forever; and never forget the deep, sad sobs that arose from that scattered multitude. Tell me citizens, WHERE, under the sun, you can witness a spectacle more fiendish and shocking. Yet this is but a glance at the American slave-trade, as it exists, at this moment, in the ruling part of the United States."
- Frederick Douglass, a former slave turned social reformer, statesman, and abolitionist (one who is pushing to end slavery)
[ public domain painting "The Old Plantation" from about 1790 in Virginia ]
... reveals Douglass' truthful, startling view of American slavery at the time ...
“The crack you heard, was the sound of the slave-whip; the scream you heard, was from the woman you saw with the babe. Her speed had faltered under the weight of her child and her chains! that gash on her shoulder tells her to move on. Follow the drove to New Orleans. Attend the auction; see men examined like horses; see the forms of women rudely and brutally exposed to the shocking gaze of American slave-buyers. See this drove sold and separated forever; and never forget the deep, sad sobs that arose from that scattered multitude. Tell me citizens, WHERE, under the sun, you can witness a spectacle more fiendish and shocking. Yet this is but a glance at the American slave-trade, as it exists, at this moment, in the ruling part of the United States."
- Frederick Douglass, a former slave turned social reformer, statesman, and abolitionist (one who is pushing to end slavery)
[ public domain painting "The Old Plantation" from about 1790 in Virginia ]
And, now it's time to ...
Recite the Pledge of Allegiance
Recite the Pledge of Allegiance
Students across America, at school or at home, informed of the most debated and unfulfilled subject in America's Declaration of Independence, yet inspired to keep America moving towards fulfillment of its promises to all, please unite and recite the Pledge.
Thanks for participating in today's U.S. Flag tribute.
This is Sean Sweeney, a fellow Flag Steward, signing-off:
Go out and 'Be a Stud Citizen' today
Keep America Beautiful, and remember,
In God We Trust
This is Sean Sweeney, a fellow Flag Steward, signing-off:
Go out and 'Be a Stud Citizen' today
Keep America Beautiful, and remember,
In God We Trust
In God We Trust
(Official motto of the United States of America)
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- relaying the MOST ACCURATE and COMPLETE DAILY HALF-STAFF alerts, historical reminders, inspirational quotes & images, and iHonor American Flag fallen Patriot tributes
GO HERE to get Flag Steward App
Flag Steward (formerly known as Beacon of Honor and originally incorporated as GivingVu.org, Inc. in 2013) is a nonpartisan, student-inspired, Veteran-led 501(c)(3) tax-deductible nonprofit organization based in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Tax ID# 46-2457373