James Earl Jones Reads Frederick Douglass

[MrJ1492]

GREAT both voice and speech!!!

[stoneybrotherbass]

the best voice ever



[DrPlatypus1]

Frederick Douglass would have won the fight for civiil rights singlehandedly if he had a voice like James Earl Jones.

[JordanDeGraff]

Darth Vader=Frederick Douglass

[mrbrianmoran]

spartacus would take his hat off

[aspacelot]

Is that Kurt Vonnegut there in the background?

[Yourfrontallobe]

ENG111

[sgkilla89]

O Mufasa

[NgaiOlaudah]

Jones' reading is terrible! It always has been! He is took cute with it! And shows no interior understanding exceeded by a cleft palate in his voice which I understand is congenital! This is a waist of time!

[Shonaripa]

I'm not saying you're wrong, but it's funny you should say all that with the way you spell.

[MrHEBREW1]

I give props to Frederick Douglas for standing up to those heathens and putting them on BLAST. A nation of hypocrites, who have poured out HEBREW SLAVES blood like water upon the ground and then dare stand up and proclaim liberty and justice. More like JUST US............................­.BROTHER JACOB ISRAEL AKA THE HEBREW 1

[iBENYAH]

I spend the 4th of July in a Fredrick Douglas state of mind.

[not2b8b4u]

Douglas got all that storm and earthquake from the Union and the 1/3 of the South that continued "True to the Union". the "Treue der Union" in Comfort, Texas. Texas Rangers ordered all males over 16 yrs old to take an Confederate oath of allegiance; many refused, Unionist farms and homes were burned and as many as 150 lynched. Slavery redeemed by blood.

. "It is said that only this monument and Arlington National Cemetery are permitted to fly the American flag at half staff the year round."

[not2b8b4u]

These words could be stated by Jimmy 'Dynamite" Walker and still have a great impact.

Now don't get too into the idea that white people didn't resist slavery,, but remember the poor white trash,, that also had born the battle to crack that institution.. or die trying.

[RonRicho]

This is not what white people want to hear on the 4TH of July but it is powerful and true none the less! Thanks for posting this.

[bornjust2003]

Don't forget, Fredrick Douglas left the "white led" abolitionist movement due to their hypocrisy ....... and today many of us continue to believe in the myth of the "so called" white liberal. Remember the sacrifices and suffering of our ancestors on the 4th of July.

[TheGreaterGood80]

Beautiful speech. Frederick Douglass is one of the greatest leaders in history. Not just a black man, not just an American, but as a leader of people.

[Psa1mist9]

I wonder what the white people's reaction was after Frederick Douglass gave that speech!!

[superjujujuice]

@Psa1mist9 walked out w/ their heads bowed in shame..

[Racecarlock]

Sorry, Jones. I want to take you seriously but you were Darth Vader for crying out loud! How am I supposed to take you seriously if I hear Vader every time you speak?

[darrouken]

Darth Vader pumped his fist and yelled "BLACK POWER!"

[team5zgen]

Darth Vader says,"Luke Join me , we could rule the galaxy as father and son... Luke says " I'll never join you"... Vader says " Obi wan never told you about your father ".. Luke says He told me enough, he said you killed him... Vader says "No, I am your father" ! Luke says NO that's impossible........

[TheSubwaysurfer]

I hope that most who are applauding The brilliant oratory skills of a grate actor, are not missing the words that are being read and more importantly the indictment on America. This is the pain and frustration people of color experience in their souls daily, and especially when this "holiday" is celebrated. What a sham.

[AnotherSchmoe]

James Earl Jones is such a good speaker. Still find it hard to believe that he could barely speak when he was young due to severe stuttering.

[MrDecal]

Once a Slave now a Man

[Ashitaka1110]

If Douglass could only see the black community at large today. This man should be the role model for young black men, not 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg. What a tragedy.

[ijreilly01]

Fredrick Douglas was the first "hustler". Except, he hustled kids to learn how to read... We have to damn near pay kids to read today... Such a shame.

[FrukSkoFcsae]

youtube arguments are for losers.

[Grymmorgan]

My favorite Douglass speech.

Of these men, both the living and the dead, I say, "RECOGNIZE!"

[SilentTrama]

Luke, i am your father

[wisedomee]

dont do what the romans does, see site hebrewisraelitedotorg. my so called black slave descendants wake up now,enuff of these wicked pagan holidays theirs no-thing holy about these wicked celebration.wake up ,

[TarikuH]

What a great rendering by James Earl Jones!

[TarikuH]

As a fugitive slave from Maryland, Mr. Douglass, became a towering activist and intellectual way ahead of his time, even of our times, in his deep belief in the innate equality and brotherhood between all the races. Read his narratives, they are riveting stuff!

[alekshindin]

One of the great voices of the 20th Century reading one of the most important writers of the 19th? Awesome. I will definitely use this as a teaching tool, thank you.

(Although now I just want to hear JEJ as Darth Vader as Frederick Douglass.)

[bornjust2003]

George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and all of the other so called Founding Fathers participated in the African Holidcost and therefore are our (Africans) Hitlers. When we honor them and their holiday we dishonor the memory of our Grandmothers (may peace be upon them) who suffered as a result of their exisitance. Remember the African and Native Indians Holicost !!!!

[welcome2myhell]

Tougemaster06, speak for yourself! I'm surrounded by black folks today at a party...sit home by yourself and drown in your pool of hate.

[Tougemaster06]

@welcome2myhell good for them lol. 

[welcome2myhell]

@Tougemaster06 yes, we all had a good time, thanks, man. My buddy Orlando cooks a mean burger, and the fried okra was splendid! Happy Kwaanza, my brother!

[Creative4aReason]

This speech is read each year in Boston. Link below to photo of the year I participated.

[herbaljunky]

Best speech ever!

[NewKokujinOptions]

We must have racial separation.

[stevebritgimp]

@NewKokujinOptions OK, then - go and comment on that other youtube reserved for you - you won't be missed.

[DHMIII]

Best speech EVER!! I'm sick of being invited to cookouts to celebrate a day that don't apply to me.

[SageofHistory]

@DHMIII Douglas was speaking at a time when African-Americans were at a low point. Ironically though, on the original fourth of July, blacks marched along side whites in defense of the American Revolution. In fact, the Revolution was the last time the United States had a racially integrated army, with equal rights and pay, until WWII.

[Tougemaster06]

@SageofHistory The blacks that marched alongside whites were mostly wealthy property owners and basically had turned their backs on their slave brethern. The 4th of July still has no real meaning to black people. I haven't celebrated the 4th in a long time once I really learned U.S history and I have no desire to celebrate it.

[SageofHistory]

@Tougemaster06 The majority of blacks who marched in the continental army were northern slaves and indentured servants seeking their freedom. It was in response to their heroism that the northern states abolished African Slavery, before England did, before France did, before the Dutch did. Then the Civil War where so many whites AND blacks secured their freedom. Blacks and Whites bleed together for our combined freedom every single day, if that means nothing. We have a black president FFS!

[DHMIII]

@SageofHistory While true... the Revolution was not fought for African slaves Freedom by African slaves in America.. neither was the civil war. Africans, having never risen in Revolt and demanded Freedom, were "granted" freedom and thus still subject to a master, because that which can be granted can also be taken away. There were free black people in America before and after who were never slaves, they would have had an interest in the Revolutionary War.

[SageofHistory]

@DHMIII You're correct, niether war was fought with the intention of freeing slaves. However slaves had a great interest in the Revolution as both Patriots and Loyalists issued proclaimations granting freedom to slaves after a certain period of service in the various armies. I disagree intensely that the freedoms granted by the Constitution can be arbitrarily taken away, one of those freedoms is freedom against involuntary servitude.

[DHMIII]

@SageofHistory I would urge you to google and read the

Slaughterhouse Cases "Two Citizens". When the 13th amendment "freed" African people, they were still considered less than a human being and so the 14th merely gave these newly freed people a status and privileges that the government could then protect, as the government cannot protect FREE PEOPLE. Free people do not have Civil Rights, they have Civil Liberties. Rights are something granted to you, not naturally inherent.. as are Liberties.

[SageofHistory]

@DHMIII I do believe passionately that they are indeed rights. I quote Thomas Jefferson, "endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights." They were rights as the founders understood them. Of course there is racial inequality, and those who imagine themselves superior to another group of people. There have always been and there will always be.

[DHMIII]

@SageofHistory As I stated.. when Thomas Jefferson, a slave owner, penned in the Constitution, "All Men...", African slaves were NOT considered Men, but less than. After you read the former case i suggested, then read the Dred Scott decision. If the Africans were in fact freed and endowed with those rights as recognized by that piece of paper, why the need for such "civil rights" movements to seek permission to exist equally?

[SageofHistory]

@DHMIII Thomas Jefferson was a slave owner. He also put forth a measure in the Continental Congress to outlaw slavery. It did not pass saddly. I am an historian and am well versed with the Dred Scott decision and other Supreme Court cases of the day. I think we can all agree that humanity is more complicated than the writ of law. It takes struggle to reach the point we wish as a society. Civil Rights was one of those struggles.

[DHMIII]

@SageofHistory ... and what do these cases say...??? I am black, and well versed in being oppressed... the constitution, did not end oppression for Africans, nor did "Civil Rights". I am also an Anarchist because my short time on this planet, and the small history of the world I know, shows me that government is humanity's real evil.

[SageofHistory]

@DHMIII The Dred Scott case says exactly what you would expect an antebellum case to say. The Constitution has no effect on Africans however, the Constitution only applies to citizens of the United States. Anarchy is the greatest of evils. It was anarchy that allowed muslim African tribesmen to sell their non-muslim brethren to whites in the first place. Had a true and honest government been in place it never would have happened. Opression is relative, and relative to the US, very low.

[DHMIII]

@SageofHistory Ok so wait... You proved my point... the only citizen an African can be is a U.S. citizen, which is much different than a Sovereign state Citizen [if you read "Two Citizens"]. A sovereign is Free, a US citizen is a subject.

Is that what your history books are teaching you about Anarchy?? And when the US government [CIA], has been accused [with very good evidence] of human trafficking OF CHILDREN, you think these things wouldn't happen with government in place??

[DHMIII]

@DHMIII True and Honest government, is an oxymoronic term wouldn't you think...?? NAME ONE!!!

[DHMIII]

@DHMIII Why do you feel it necessary to hand your power and control of your life and everything in it to others?? With Love comes Peace.. not government treaties, pieces of paper that grant you privileges, citizenship/noncitizenship/"il­legal" aliens. As human beings coexisting within this limited space for thousands of years.. WARS and genocides that decimate human evolution are usually the result of hierarchical "governing" bodies with religious or political "divine right" agendas.

[SageofHistory]

@DHMIII Anarchy is not love. Anarchy is chaos. In chaos the strong survive. Women, children, the old and the poor are trampled under the feet of the strong. It was in just such times of chaos that the idea of owning people came into being. I don't follow your issues on citizenship. Africans are from Africa. They would be citizens of their respective African nations. People born in the United States are US citizens. There is but one type of citizenship in the US. Everyone has an agenda.

[DHMIII]

@SageofHistory Historical talking point propaganda.. Anarchy has been analogous with chaos by the very people trying to keep their power intact, religion and government. Anarchy = no ruler, no rules. The United States of America, was established a Republic. A Republic, the Sovereign Power is with the Free People [Sovereigns govern themselves], with a Representative government who can never interfere with those Sovereign freedoms per the Constitution. Democracy is Mob Rules, 51% rule 49%. Chaos.

[DHMIII]

Anarchy, having no ruler no rules that govern you, but those you choose to govern yourself by. I govern myself by loving principles for and towards my fellow human beings. I have a job, choosing corporal captivity of my principles for the moment, in exchange for fiat paper I then exchange for FOOD within the confines of a governed structure that will throw me in jail if i go find some land somewhere and just start growing my own and building my own house without "permits". Unnatural.

[DHMIII]

And you obviously didn't read the Two Citizens case ruling then.. and if you aren't going to take the time to at least check a couple sources [and facts] before making such a statement I'll waste no more of my time.

"I only debate with my equals, all others I teach" - John Henrik Clarke

With Love Comes Peace.

3rd

[SageofHistory]

@DHMIII I can only assume you're speaking of the Slaughterhouse Cases. The Two Citizens is an article covering these cases. It is not a document of the United States Government. I also give you to note the Slaughterhouse cases are post-bellum and post-date any case concerning slavery and therefore it does not have any relation to the outcome of previous cases. Save your pseudo-intellectualism until you get your dates straight. The ruling is concerning State as opposed to National citizenship

[DHMIII]

@SageofHistory Since you won't do your own homework.. In the "Slaughterhouse case" [1873] Justice samuel f. miller, writing for the majority, ruled that the Privileges and Immunities Clause had limited effect because it only reached privileges and immunities guaranteed by U.S. citizenship, not state citizenship. [this implies TWO forms of citizenship].

[DHMIII]

Post-bellum is EXACTLY the time period descendants of African slaves should concern themselves with because this is when they were "granted" freedom and when the 13th and 14th amendments were passed. Just because you know the Latin terminology doesn't make your assessment correct. [[[And as I Have been saying Africans, my focus here are descendants of African slaves born in this country.]]] If your "opinion" were true, why this speech by Frederick Douglas???

[SageofHistory]

@DHMIII Indeed, State Citizenship is different from National Citizenship, however State Citizenship cannot infringe on rights granted by the Constitution. People born in North America are not Africans. If you argue they are Africans rather than Americans than they would be entitled to none of the rights garunteed citizens in the Constitution. Douglas was a former slave, speaking at a time when his people were at a low. His anger is understandable in the time period, not representative of today.

[DHMIII]

@SageofHistory You are correct, National citizenship [U.S. citizenship], granted by the 14th amendment, is different than State "Sovereign" Citizenship, which, descendants of African slaves cannot be [while, yes, u.s. citizens, they still cannot be state citizens even if born here]. My claim here is that the 14th amend. subject citizen, are in fact indentured servants to the Federal government, including yourself if your not a Sovereign. I would urge you to at least look into it a bit further.

[SageofHistory]

@DHMIII State Citizenship is based entirely on the residency requirements of said states. Any citizen of the US can become a citizen of the various states by fulfilling the residency requirement of said state. Involuntary servitude was abolished along with slavery by the 13th amend. I will be happy to look into whatever you wish to show me. I am a citizen of the US and a resident of Canada. Both countries were touched by slavery and involuntary servitude. Very different outcomes though.

[DHMIII]

@SageofHistory Let me rephrase "voluntary" servitude.. through the "voluntary" tax system, "voluntary" higher education for "voluntary" employment, "voluntary "social security", and Most importantly, "volunteering" to be governed and "represented" as if you cannot do this for yourself. You are correct, it is dependent on the state and the state constitutions as to the requirements of citizenship, and if you were to read one, Most [if not all, haven't read them all] say "White" male.

[SageofHistory]

@DHMIII All of those things are voluntary. If you take traditional employment you volunteer to participate. Plain and simple. You volunteer to be employed, the rest you quoted such as the tax system, are laws set in place about employment. However you can walk out of a job anytime you want. If you are complaining that you have to work to live, your beef is with God, not the government, the world works that way. Many states have outdated constitutions, but their laws do not follow them.

[DHMIII]

@SageofHistory If you don't have land, try "volunteering" not to have a job and see how long you can survive. Then they "voluntarily" tax you when you "volunteer" to be employed for an unlivable wage that keeps you dependent on the job. By beef isn't with God, its with Men who believe themselves to be gods, and RULE others. If You believe in God how can YOU allow yourself to governed by crooks and murderers??? Anyway, don't want to get into theology and beliefs. Been a good debate with you.

[DHMIII]

As for most states laws not following their state constitution.. would make those laws unconstitutional and therefore null and void. Be that as it may, the reason they get away with it is because of their scheming, covert, lies, the sheeple eat up and don't fight back. If you study up on the UCC you'll learn the commercial secret of their success. These days, we have more of an Oligarchy than a Republic or the misnomer of a so called Democracy, and there is remedy.

[SageofHistory]

@DHMIII "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." Romans 13:1 But yeah theology is too far for this debate. Either way, thanks for debating, it's nice to be able to disagree with someone without insults being resorted to. Take care.

[mobydoug]

"At a time like this, scorching irony, not convincing argument, is needed. .....It is not light which is needed, but fire." Jones could make the phone book sound like King Lear. ...But you should hear him play Lear!

[smolny1917]

"There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices, more shocking and bloody, than are the people of these United States, at this very hour"

Defend Iraq and Afghanistan: For Workers Strikes Against the Wars!

[ReligionWatch]

Wow,5 stars.

[nazikiwe]

Happy Juneteenth!!!

[Delaware84]

He brings Douglass to Life

[sabu5950]

God Bless America

[letsgetit20]

Damn his voice is powerful... when he talk you listen.

[Racecarlock]

@letsgetit20 That's because otherwise he'll force choke you.

[jowns0]

He is one of the few people I could truly bais my goals on.

[voiceofthapeople]

Such a great speech. Such an irony for them to make the hated, belittled black man on a celebration that is not for him. And such a great speaker James Earl Jones is; that mighty powerful voice.

[RobJahLuv]

Its more and a more Raw speech fredrick did on Indendence day in Rochester in 1841..Maybe this the same speech,,..Yes this speech is Truth for men and woman that want truth,,and except it for what it is. Not my Independence day on the 4th !

[bookreader123]

The words of Douglass do us well today. At that time the Supreme Court had declared a black man was property and not a citizen (Dred Scott). Today the Supreme Court has declared the unborn to be property, not persons (Roe v. Wade). In the 1800's the slave could be killed and it was not murder. Today the child in the womb can be killed and it is not murder. No one under the canopy of heaven doubts that slavery (or abortion) is wrong for him! A woman has a right to her body before being born

[Laffington]

The fact that a former slave could draft such a diatribe is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

[truthbetold9]

Incredible

[CountArtha]

I do not like Howard Zinn.

[jowns0]

Me nethier.

[jarren22]

The wisdom of Frederick Douglass read by James Earl Jones talk about a powerful combination

[SameFatCrow]

This speech is Incredible!!!

Defiant.

Proud.

Thank U, Thank U for posting!

[vktrsx]

Yay! One of my favorites.

[kisado]

"Tommy, NO!" "NO, Tommy!" - James Earl Jones. What movie?

[adrieltube]

Coming to America

[drummerboy36]

Best of the Best!!!!!!! Yes me and my friends love that movie!!!! "De Han won't be holding back...Do it..Do it..DO IT!!!!

"That was my failure!" LOL!!!

[clydecazenas]

omg Darth Vader lol

[sytran666]

yeah thats all i hear as well!

[maxwolfeee]

Powerful voice .

[job1201204]

We celebrate this day, because though we are flawed, and not so great, we progress, and learn the hardest of lessons the harsh way in life, other countries only followed after us. That is why we celebrate. Remember, what is said in this speech can be applied to other countries, even after we had change such as civil rights.....that is why we celebrate. We are not perfect, but we show others we can and will change. Please remember that as well.

[dln3472]

and for this reason and many more...I, nor my children, will ever pledge allegiance to the American flag. Thank you for posting.

[mmjaljs]

I understand completely, I also respect how you feel! The more, I study African American History, it's makes me proud, to be a Black Man. Many contributions, have been made, but hidden, having to dig deep, in the wells, of information in the local library. I think about, the evolution of our race, and appreciate, the sacrifice, and celebrate, in my own way. Good Luck!

[drummerboy36]

You should be proud to be an American today! That was then, this is now. We have come very far from those times of oppression. However, think of how many Africans recieved access to the gospel through man's evil schemes. Though they mean it for eveil, God meant it for good. As a black man I stand proudly as an individual whose identity comes not from his skin color, nor heritatge nor nationality but from my faith in Christ and in His work on my behalf. Don't miss the liberty that we have in Him!

[mmjaljs]

I'm going to give you a thumbs down! Reason being the word of God was in Africa, before the translantic slave trade...The Queen of Sheba, was from Afica, the Eunuch that helped Jeremiah the prophet was also from Africa. Read a little deeper and find this is true. Be blessed playa!

[RobJahLuv]

Make sense what you saying drummerboy 36,,,deep !

[KoreyAusTex]

This is truth!

[djtrock54321]

why are we celebrating this day.......

[leannesgrace]

everyone should see this

[MatthewCadman]

Two American treasures . . . the words of Douglass and the voice of Vader! Their passion and commitment continue to inspire. Thanks for posting in time to reflect on the Fourth.