Danny Glover Reads Frederick Douglass

Actor Danny Glover reads abolitionist Frederick Douglass's "Fourth of July Speech, 1852" on October 5, 2005 in Los Angeles, California. Part of a reading from Voices of a People's History of the United States (Howard Zinn and Anthony Arnove.)

[@howedelamitri]

That entire speech was brilliant and so relevant to this day

[@angeloirving3278]

Still relevant in 2020

[@mbell420]

Beat me to it by 49 minutes lol

[@LionofLight777]

@@angeloirving3278 ....Still relevant in 2021.✊😶

[@pamtnman1515]

The problem here is that the white liberals and Danny Glover are the biggest racists in America

[@scottl.1568]

Even moreso in 2022

[@reginaldamedee7433]

Powerful. I think the lesson here is that history means different things for different people. One nations independence could be another nations condemnation. The best way to move on from here is to be inclusive and empathetic towards people who happened to be on the wrong side of history.

[@gloriaalee1246]

eginald Amedee

[@lyfeofajet]

still playing this even today.

[@_Gtg]

how bout now?

[@lyfeofajet]

i play this every 4th of july

[@lyfeofajet]

you sound like a "vagina".

[@andreasmith4124]

***** why a victim, because he celebrates the awareness of African Americans today and yesterday, because this African American even the 1800's was bold enough to chastise America for shame they always try to sweep under the rug. Victim, no, its called awareness. Awareness of how far we've come even in the face of adversity, and awareness of how great we will be still in the face of adversity.

[@FrancoisTremblay]

***** What do you mean 150 years ago? Do you not remember learning about Jim Crow in school? Do you not remember what you saw on the news in the past weeks? How old are you, seven?

[@honeybrwn41]

*****

[@cynbh1]

***** And now we have The New Jim Crow. Read the book by Michelle Alexander and miss me with that racist nonsense,

[@africanmindedwoman]

He has a really powerful sounding voice, he captivates well the message behind Douglass's words.

[@anthonybrett]

A brilliant speech. Its important to remember that we should never forget the past, but be careful not to live in it, at the expense of the present and future. Mistakes will always be made, injustices always done, and people will suffer undeservedly, to not learn from these mistakes is the greatest injustice. May we forever look back, but only to know where to tread next. Regards

[@keishahead7965]

This was not a “mistake”. It was and still is intentional. Let’s be clear.

[@jamesrottie4life397]

@@keishahead7965 EXACTLY!

[@dreamergirlbaby]

Thank you for this. Had to read this for my homework but I honestly couldn’t concentrate so I’m glad I found this audio so I could listen

[@evitacobo5100]

We have so much work to do but we must realize that it's possible, to be truly human, in the greatest sense without fear of difference, without greed, without hatred.

[@damanibaraka7896]

This is great. There's another version by James Earl Jones that's also great.

[@PRHousequake]

Frederick Douglass is still the man. He would be heartbroken to know that this speech is still so relevant .

[@paulstanley4515]

He would be shocked that we voted for a man of color to sit in the WHITE HOUSE and took the Purse from Him on the Day of His Entering and all the Banks shut there doors to ask Him for Money. When this Sorry Nation was built and profited on the backs of slaves and killing of the Indians whom possess the very Land the WHITE HOUSE said belongs to Them. and this is what we vote and salute and die for in Democracy and put down Communism and Socialism and even Dictators whom do the same thing Washington and Jefferson said the King of England was doing to the so called Colonies of Boston and other parts of Early America without mentioning that they Own Slaves to work the land they stole and killed for. Over DEMOCRACY!!!!

[@herbb52]

It should say that "Actor Danny Glover reads a small portion' of Fredrick Douglass's "Fouth of July Speech, 1852".

[@NicolePeaches]

It is heartbreaking how true this still is. :( But we can make it better! We have to believe that it can change.

[@lolomcspanky]

Where do I send money to get all these great actors to read his FULL speeches, and more than just this one? I need it so much

[@trevorschmidt4728]

i was watching this for history class and i ended up loving what this said, sometimes learning becomes more fun than you would think

[@PsyVen]

Astonishing speech. Douglass was one of the great orators of American history.

[@jocquelynnalls-custer5400]

I play this by Danny Glover and the one by James Earl Jones as well. Very moving.

[@iiFlii]

This and langston hughes 'let america be america again' will forever be my all time favorites.

[@deniskhakimov]

The more I read about him, the more I understand what a great person he was!

[@enamrik]

170 years later and we're still stuck having to explain why these statues don't mean to us what they mean to them.

[@walkdeep]

i just read narratives of frederick douglass, and it was incredible

[@aarondigby5054]

I read his autobiography, "a slave narrative" he FD had to beat his master's a##, a whole Lotta kkkrackers got they a##kicked by blacks but those stories were hushed by the white media, Black's weren't allowed to be literate, so our stories weren't written

[@Julian-i9n2q]

As a Caucasian American man, I STAND WITH FREDERICK DOUGLASS'S WORDS! AMEN AND BRAVO 👏 ❤

[@mlb5525]

One of the greatest minds and orators in American history. He still does not receive the credit he is due. I received my elementary, high school and college education in the 60s and 70s, little mention was made of this great man. Shame on the school system of the times for ignoring him and shame on me for not finding out more about him until later in life. Hopefully the current educational system gives him his just recognition.

[@aarondigby5054]

They did not teach you Frederick Douglas? The abolitionist. Dayum.

[@williameverette8047]

Great reading of a great work.

[@TaYuK0]

If my memory is right he learned how to speak eloquently. I think when he was young he would trade something for English lessons by schoolboys in his area. Or when he was even younger than that his Miss (Master's wife) taught him some. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND using Google or going to the library to find the answer to your question. Along with reading one of his autobiographies such as: Life and Times of Frederick Douglass.

[@TeaneckMan90]

He was such a strong man.

[@lildeathbear6233]

great speech, and today this fourth of july I am blasting it throughout my neighborhood proudly! HOWEVER, much as i love jeff buckly's "hallelujah" it is interfering with the sound of the speech!!

[@lildeathbear6233]

oops my bad- had another window open :{]

[@neleig]

Amen! Let’s not forget!

[@RasAhmose]

Frederick Douglas was a brilliant man. ANyone who thinks otherwise is the opposite of brilliant.

[@Steadno]

PEACE AND RESPECT

[@jedislemo4936]

@jedi_slemo Such an eloquent speaker he must have been, such great intellect and modest as well when at 1:04 he talks about his limited powers of speech because he was a great speaker and everyone knew.

[@Fritson]

So very true,....thanks!

[@mmjaljs]

Outstanding!

[@antidarocbhai4334]

Frederick Douglas learned from the best anti racism people on the planet the Irish! You're welcome ;-)

[@062902477M]

It depends on the time period. The Irish were actually some of the most racist groups during slavery because of their own prosecution and the fact that black people were the only one who they could consider beneath them. The only people over which they had power.

[@antidarocbhai4334]

Marcus H What the fuck do you two clowns know about Frederick Douglas, if you are going to talk shit at least know what you are talking about first.....www.collinspress.ie/frederick-douglass-in-ireland.html

[@antidarocbhai4334]

***** What the fuck do you two clowns know about Frederick Douglas, if you are going to talk shit at least know what you are talking about first.....www.collinspress.ie/frederick-douglass-in-ireland.html

[@daniellepleasesavethehuman3958]

whatt??? No thank you smh

[@maryhalverson5713]

Black Dynomite, It's painful to be forced to agree that the Irish, like many others who've been wrongly degraded, were often as not unable to rise above the harsh treatment that knocked them to their knees.

[@Tarotscopebytina]

Great Post!!!

[@mutimaimani4022]

REALITY Check, Living in Gratitude, feeling the relief of History spoken to clear the air, untiring the knot in my stomach about not celebrating today 7/4/2014. We are all in this together, and we were borne to safe this world words from Love Conscious Music of Fari. I am asking these questions from the wisdom of a Native American Father. How do we put together the pieces of the past? How can we rewrite our life story so that pain becomes meaningful and actually promotes growth and transformation? Together We can Heal the Heart of Humanity and Heal the Soul of America, for future generations. I forgive you America and expose you contradictions and mine.

[@honeybrwn41]

Rewrite? ?? Lol

[@herbaljunky]

@ookapeli Call it what you want, he speaks the truth. And this is a recount of what the Honorable Frederick Douglass said will over 230 yrs ago. Now that is more bravery than anyone commenting on this can EVER have!

[@Bigdeezy74]

No he's not brilliant. He's amazingly brave and brilliant.

[@OLDHEAD313]

“That for revolting barbarity and shameless hypocrisy, AMERICA RAINS WITHOUT ARRIVAL” I know his in person speech gave chills

[@travisjohnson4793]

I'm crying but now crying what does it was like I'm free speech but I'm crying

[@mentura71]

The more things change, the more they remain the same....

[@Dazen101]

I wish someone would narrate the full address

[@jimhack3]

Powerful!

[@marnette73]

Now that was powerful

[@UKgamer87]

ps thanks to everyone who helped me try to educate guyfroml.

[@ServantDujmovJr]

When I think about Guantanamo Detention Center, NDAA indefinite detention and all of the evils that the C.I.A. has and is perpetrating on all of humanity, it makes me think that the injustices have gotten worse.

[@kitty10174]

My thoughts exactly...

[@Julian-i9n2q]

JUSTICE FOR THE INDIGENOUS AMERICANS SLAUGHTERED FOR GREED

[@captnhuffy]

EXCELLENT !!!!

[@SOTGPhilly]

very good job Danny

[@MrChuckmiclickurmom]

He is mentioned now. Not to the degree that he should be though.

[@guyfroml]

Just remember one basic, but crucial difference between what YOU believe and what I believe: YOUR beliefs looks to "take away" the rights of others, while MY beliefs look to "protect" mine and the rights of others. If you deny that, you're a liar.

[@robertjahn4190]

guyfroml When you're accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression

[@PURPLERAIN-es1ls]

❤️

[@Eddythebeast666]

Holy crap!

[@ness2874]

he said "hybrid capitalist socialist systems" like scandinavia, who, in all researches and surveys always top lists and indicators for quality of life, social equality, healthcare and education.

[@annamariesf]

Democracy requires an informed electorate and eternal vigilance.

[@literallyallthingsonice]

hahah, as a white person who works at starbucks, your statement makes me chuckle.. but thank you :)

[@davidtagliaferri]

That which is asserted without evidence can be dismissed withoiut reason.

[@tommybrown187]

the sun lught that has brought life and healing to you, has brought stripes and death to me

[@OLDHEAD313]

“A THIN VEIL TO COVER UP CRIMES, WHICH WOULD DISGRACE A NATION OF SAVAGES” Dam

[@TheTimeForChange44]

Something to think about: What have we learned?

[@pianoman22407]

Impactful.

[@OLDHEAD313]

I’m ashamed due to this being the 1st time I heard this Nevertheless I am joyful that listing to this now

[@Playthellgb42]

This is NOT a good reading of this great speech....I think the greatest sppech in American history. First of all he does not have the voice for it - Frederick Douglass had a rich baritone voice. If you want to hear a great reading fine Arthue Burghard's reading. It was part of a one man play he does of Douglass that was aired on a New York television show titled "Like It Is," produced by Gil Nobel. I love Danny but he dropped the ball here.

[@crankdawg8245]

James Earl Jones, did it justice.

[@aarondigby5054]

Ya'll don't know what kind of voice FD had, Ya'll going by something the yte man said. They embellished a lot in those days.

[@politicaldebauchery]

i wouldn't roll too hard. Conservatism during the time of Douglass' life (1818-1895) was defined completely different than it is today.

[@ttdwarren]

try reading his biography and you will learn

[@janjer1]

still relevant and because it is - a main reason why Trayvon's murderer will get off scott free.

[@guyfroml]

Hmm, I see my comment got low votes to be shown. I guess some people are correct when they say "truth is the new hate speech" or is it "some people cannot accept truth even with provided indisputable facts?"

[@hint0122]

there is a huge difference between misspeaking, and forgetting how many fucking states there are.

[@herbaljunky]

@scorzeny45 Danny Glover is a good man and all of his so-called anti-Americanism is truly justified.

[@AmosRodriguez-o1c]

😢 Frederick Douglass what a great idea for a Cuban self identify. I as a emigrant BLACK have the audacity to enbrace such icon . He is why I call my self black. Because in Cuba I didn't know how tob be, or had recognized bBLACK

[@UKgamer87]

by giving people social services it takes away the rights of others? What it basically comes down to is if you give a damn about your fellow man or not. I live in the uk where we do have a a sort of hybrid system where we give out citizens fairly good healthcare etc which ranks far higher then usa's healthcare and we pay far less per capita. To me the private do things certain things very well but to trust them completely with certain vital services is foolish.

[@UncleElEx]

Must be some dummies on here commenting on Obama. I have always agreed with Mr. Douglass' view on the 4th of July. Why was it damn near 90 years before any actual "independence" for ALL Americans?

[@aarondigby5054]

I wonder did FD write this speech? Danny Glover was illiterate but want back and got in an illiteracy progrsm and learned to read very well. That's why im fond of Babs Bush her mantra as first lady was to stamp out illiteracy.

[@MichaelScreamMachineEvans]

Danny Glover is a Koown

[@KillahB89]

@hint0122 Fair enough. I thought you were talking about domestic issues. Cant dispute you on that, I just get irked when people demonize political figures. The guy before you was just another prejudiced "patriot" and I thought you agreed with his sentiments. Its okay to not agree, but many people dont even have legitimate reasons

[@noheroespublishing1907]

"I, John Brown, am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away but with blood. I had, as I now think, vainly flattered myself that without very much bloodshed it might be done." -John Brown (On His Execution Day)

[@lyfeofajet]

Can someone notify me when Tom Moore over doses on meth....

[@underdogchamp9094]

Frederick Douglas was the D.L. Hugely and Chris Rock of his day.

[@JackTheFlippinTipper]

@hint0122 just like... every US president ever?

[@miltom]

great speech... is it just me or does danny glover do a terrible job though??

[@jrichhy4321]

All I hear is intelligence

[@hint0122]

where is the proof? he wont release his grades. I would think if he did graduate in the top of his class, he would know how many states there are in the US, or how to Pronounce the word “corpsman” instead of “corpse man. he didn’t con me, since I didnt vote for him but alot of people who did are pissed at him. I do know his stance, even the ones he changes to fit his view.

[@imhotep38]

Not true, he had an education, the one he gave himself. He went to the best university, the school of hard knocks. Look at the root of the word "University'. It is the word "universe". To get an education one need only study the Universe. That is what Frederick Douglass did.

[@KillahB89]

@hint0122 No, like graduating at the top of his class at Harvard Law. Tell me, how has he conned you over? Also, pray tell, did you even know his stances on the topics you feel he has conned you in? Did you ever bother reading about his policies or the Audacity of Hope or did you just believe every Democrat is a cookie cutter liberal? If you did, you are sorely mistaken. if you're going to slander somebody, at least elaborate.

[@godatetsu]

he was a mixed race man not a black african

[@dogholoh]

Nice, but not as good as James Earl Jones

[@andyarellanoChannel]

apparently douglas never heard thomas sowell's detailed telling of the slave trade across the world; America was not unique at all in barbarism; barbarism was the one thing slavery had in common in many, many nations

[@gladysweatherspoon7830]

Is that your selling point? Everybody else was doing it?

[@andyarellanoChannel]

@@gladysweatherspoon7830 i think it is iimportant to share facts; that way people can make informed decisions; watch thomas sowell on the new urban slave trade based on the welfare state; you thought it was over LOL

[@sheisfavored]

Only thing to celebrate is um......NOTHING.

[@PainMonkey]

Weeeeeeell.....there's Cuba. It may have a number of human rights violations, but as far as hospitals go theirs are very nice. Maybe even better than ours. Sure as hell a lot cheaper^^

[@bellier]

this is the point obama's pastor was making. Hello....!!!?

[@crownmode1018]

His great actor but he fucked up here little bit

[@marimbawilliams9022]

And Ciobanu, since we are being so judgemental, would it be fair of me to doubt the intelligence if your ancestors? Would it be fair to ask how did your ancestors learn to read coming from caves in Europe, seeing that Ciobanu is an Eastern European name? No! That would be racist wouldn't it? If I believed every hideous piece of crap that I'v read, I'd be such an ass......

[@deb100100]

That over 150 years later we are still a greedy and cruel nation. A nation that stops at nothing to get what it wants, A nation that I was once proud of before I learned just how horrible our government and it's minions truly are.