James Earl Jones' voice is so rich and powerful. He could read anything and make it sound amazing

"Do you citizens mean to mock me by asking me to speak today?" ....Wow.

Thanks you for standing up for brothers and sisters from the black community.

We don't need light, we need the FIRE, not the rain, the STORM. Powerful words

thank you Democracy Now for opening with this very necessary speech TODAY!

Frederick Douglas was, continues to be and will always be a light to people of good sense and who naturally say NO to the tyranny of any kind.

It's 2022 and this still resonates today! Thank you, Mr. Douglas.

No lies all truth from way back much respect to our ancestors and Mr.Jones 💯‼️

Remember that Fredrick Douglas was at first an illiterate slave who later became one of the greatest orators!!!!

I don't know how Frederick Douglas sounded in 1853, but I do believe he'd be proud of Mr. Jones's interpretation. Anything James Earl Jones reads aloud turns to holy scripture gold. I feel like I should say Amen! The true embodiment of the voice of God... Or Satan if he plays Vader.

Yep and this is why I won't ever celebrate Independence day and that alone doesn't make me Anti-American it makes me true to my roots! What a good job James Earl Jones is such a befitting narrator!

This was amazing and UNFORTUNATELY still NECESSARY TO HEAR!!!! I honor Frederick Douglass and Mr. James Earl Jones for reading his ever so moving speech.

James Earl Jones! Nobody brings a vision of Frederick Douglass to life like him.

Thank you Fredrick Douglass & James Earl Jones for reminding us of the hypocrisy surrounding this day, that this wasn't "Independence Day " for everyone. 😐

This is the first time I have ever heard this and Frederick was right, it wasn't freedom for us.

I love his voice he can make you feel like you were there when this speech was written and said

No blind patriotism from me, ever. Thank you, DN!

After reading his autobiography, he will forever remain one of my heroes. His sheer determination to learn to read, write and later escape slavery without the help of the Underground Railroad has forever challenged my values.

Rochester ny is my home.we always pay homage to Fredrick Douglas.

I’m a 47 y.o. BLACK Man...and this speech blew my mind...not because of it’s beautiful content...simply because... I have never heard it before! Thanks Mr. Douglas and Mr Jones(both are literary geniuses)... that’s real talk!!!

I listen to this reading every fourth, and it feels more and more relevant every year. This year more than any other.

A very eloquent, accurate, and wholly appropriate denunciation of the hypocrisy of this holiday.

The damn nerve that they even had to ask Fredrick Douglass to do this speech was astounding..

Amazing!!! Still resonates today on so many levels. It's still a country for the few not the many.

Hello and support from France : kisses for the great James Earl Jones.

YOU REJOICE I MUST MOURNE 😢

Awesome writing by Frederick Douglass and read so well by James Earl Jones. I never heard this reading by Mr. Douglass, I am ashamed to say as a 67-year black woman, just hearing this for the first time. Mr. Douglass must have been a great man, the look on his face tells strength, truth, and courage.

Great Job Frederick Douglas and James Earl Jones! Blessed

Frederick Douglass are those worth to be praised. Standing up against the oppressor and tell them the truth in their faces are the top heroes.

Many miles before I sleep....we have a long way in front of us until we can say we have a true, vibrant and passionate liberty, equality and fraternity.

This man's voice is legendary

This speech is more needed now than ever. JEJ is not only a legendary actor, but a soldier for freedom justice and equality.

We the children of ex - slaves have lost the meaning of the holidays we now celebrate without knowing the truth behind them. Thank you for the wake up call.

Stirring words, delivered by a brilliant person, on behalf of a brilliant person. All I can do is nod my head.

Thank you Mr. Earl Jones, with the memory of Mr. Fredrick Douglas well spoken words..

Perfect reading always and Frederick Douglas was 💯 % right!!!

High Five to James Earl Jones~! High Five to the late Howard Zinn. Peace begins from within..

Brilliant! ❤ I would love to have been able to witness the faces of those Rochester Ladies!

This speech still resonates in 2024.

Thanks you Mr. Jones for reading with your lovely voice. God bless you.

It should be more blacks young and old should comment on James Earl Jones speech of Mr fredric Douglas fourth of July speech wow power to my people

Native people's don't care much for the date either! IJS

" it is not light that's needed, but the fire! It's not showers but the storm!" many times reading his autobiography and even now I shed tears for the ancestors and those of us here today in this demonic chaos!

Powerful words that sadly still ring true today! 😔

Thank you for sharing this! 🤗

This is a powerful speech

Although I missed hearing this on July 4th I appreciate Democracy Now for doing this video and bringing awareness to the American people. What a great speech and do Mr. James Earl Jones did a fantastic job in reading it.

I will read more of Frederick Douglass writings. So articulate, profound and powerful!

I wish there was someone running for president who had his voice and gift for speaking! I could listen to this great man all day long

Wooow...what a leader that should be thought in school all over the world!

I love James Earl Jones readings. He's just so perfect. God bless him.

Fred was a gangsta with the added gift of eloquence! This is about the best “f-you” I’ve ever heard.

Very Powerful.

Holy shit I got chills, man

Frederick Douglas's speech was Absolutely PROFOUND! RESPECTFULLY ,THANK YOU MR.JAMES EARL JONES!

Such a powerful, strong voice, thank you both for this reminder of what the fourth of July means.

Your channel has become a part of my ongoing self - education. Thank you very much. Greetings from the Czech republic, Central Europe.

Thank you for this DN and Amy and JE Jones and Frederick Douglas. Blessings to all. ❤️✌🏼

This eloquent speech is still relevant today. What a shame

Powerful! Many of us feel this way today!

Frederick Douglas Always Deserves The FIST PUMP OF Righteousness

Mind blowing speach...why didn't we hear this speach growing up! I will listen to this speach every 4th of July.

Spoken on the day July 5, the day I was born 1971 not into slavery but as a free baby, my heart goes out to all those babies born into this world as slaves and died as enslaved people

I have always felt this way of the 4th of July without any knowledge of this great speech. I'm proud that my views about this and many other things in society have not obstructed my belief system. Thanks for this confirmation.

In other words, Douglas to white people: I find your lack of faith in freedom disturbing.

I feel like he was both reading from the script and speaking from the heart. The power of James Earl Jones. Remember!!!🦁

There is a significant part of the speech OMITTED. Near the end, there is this: "I differ from those who charge this baseness on the framers of the Constitution of the United States. It is a slander upon their memory, at least, so I believe. There is not time now to argue the constitutional question at length - nor have I the ability to discuss it as it ought to be discussed. The subject has been handled with masterly power by Lysander Spooner, Esq., by William Goodell, by Samuel E. Sewall, Esq., and last, though not least, by Gerritt Smith, Esq. These gentlemen have, as I think, fully and clearly vindicated the Constitution from any design to support slavery for an hour. Fellow-citizens! there is no matter in respect to which, the people of the North have allowed themselves to be so ruinously imposed upon, as that of the pro-slavery character of the Constitution. In that instrument I hold there is neither warrant, license, nor sanction of the hateful thing; but, interpreted as it ought to be interpreted, the Constitution is a GLORIOUS LIBERTY DOCUMENT. [sic] Read its preamble, consider its purposes. Is slavery among them? Is it at the gateway? or is it in the temple? It is neither. While I do not intend to argue this question on the present occasion, let me ask, if it be not somewhat singular that, if the Constitution were intended to be, by its framers and adopters, a slave-holding instrument, why neither slavery, slaveholding, nor slave can anywhere be found in it. What would be thought of an instrument, drawn up, legally drawn up, for the purpose of entitling the city of Rochester to a tract of land, in which no mention of land was made? Now, there are certain rules of interpretation, for the proper understanding of all legal instruments. These rules are well established. They are plain, common-sense rules, such as you and I, and all of us, can understand and apply, without having passed years in the study of law. I scout the idea that the question of the constitutionality or unconstitutionality of slavery is not a question for the people. I hold that every American citizen has a right to form an opinion of the constitution, and to propagate that opinion, and to use all honorable means to make his opinion the prevailing one. Without this right, the liberty of an American citizen would be as insecure as that of a Frenchman. Ex-Vice-President Dallas tells us that the Constitution is an object to which no American mind can be too attentive, and no American heart too devoted. He further says, the Constitution, in its words, is plain and intelligible, and is meant for the home-bred, unsophisticated understandings of our fellow-citizens. Senator Berrien tells us that the Constitution is the fundamental law, that which controls all others. The charter of our liberties, which every citizen has a personal interest in understanding thoroughly. The testimony of Senator Breese, Lewis Cass, and many others that might be named, who are everywhere esteemed as sound lawyers, so regard the constitution. I take it, therefore, that it is not presumption in a private citizen to form an opinion of that instrument. Now, take the Constitution according to its plain reading, and I defy the presentation of a single pro-slavery clause in it. On the other hand, it will be found to contain principles and purposes, entirely hostile to the existence of slavery." Douglass was a pro-Constitution Republican.

James Earl Jones we love you. Big thanks to mr Jones on Behalf of English speaking people for Reading this wonderful words of mr Douglas. Religious freedom is the Foundation of Democratic Values.

Legendary words and a legendary voice.

So well stated! Mr. Jones is a national treasure! So are the writings of Mr. Douglas. What continues to impress is how long Douglas' words resonate as true of our time as well as his, even after hundreds of years.

I listen to this speech every year, happy "independence" day America.

He was such an eloquent scholar.

It still rings TRUE TODAY ❤️✌️

God bless America, I pray our country will strive to grow and develop as we still have a long journey ahead of us! What a crucial part of our history! If we want to “make America great”, we need to understand each other, our histories, and what is required of each individual American to truly help our country develop!

Fredrick Douglass. Yes. What A Man..💜💜💜🙏🏾. Praise and Glory.. Thank you Sir . Always remembered in my Heart...

I read the whole of this speech earlier today, taking many notes and sometimes having to read it’s brilliance aloud to my brother as he came in and out of the room. It never denounced the constitution, on the contrary, but it did call to carpet anybody of the day who loudly or silently supported slavery in any way, especially the church of the north and south. It denounced the, then new, Fugitive Slave Law and the ills it surely had already commenced to bring throughout the country. I believe he was a man of faith in and imparted wisdom from Jesus Christ. He abhorred the fact that some stood by as if they did not know the inhumanity of slavery. This entire speech should be required reading for seminary students and high schoolers everywhere especially America. And through such diligence, the serpent of slavery may never rear it’s ugly head again and is most definitely eradicated in all forms from the earth. I encourage you to read the whole thing.

I could hear this man read doctor seuss and I'll still be in amazement. Real history, no alternative facts.

July 4, 2020 Never a better time to hear this than today

Much RESPECT to Mr. Jones To be able to sit down with this man and listen you would gain an abundance of knowledge .... and Mr. Douglas was very knowledgeable in his time as well

That was a brilliant speech, far better than most of today's speeches. Remember, this was written by a man whom when he was a slave, learning to read was a death sentence. He went from that to becoming a brilliant writer. He had enormous courage to speak so honestly and frankly about how he felt to be asked to give a speech celebrating the independence of a country that stole his independence and enslaved him. I wonder how they responded at the end? Did they applaud him, or sit in embarrassed silence?

Bold and brave every word spoken in the given speech, how dare he!!

That man could read the dictionary and make it sound so interesting. He made Frederick proud that day

James Earl Jones is one of the greatest orators ever! I love hearing his voice whatever it's behind. Frederick Douglas, who T=Rump thinks is still living, tells it like it so that it makes it easy for any American to understand. We have the most amazing nation in the world.

What to the native is 4th of July.

Bravo James Earl Jones this is one of my favorite favorite speeches bravo bravo Frederick would be proud I see his face smiling 🇺🇸♥️💎😇🐟⚔️🛡️👑🔥🕊️✝️🎇✔️

James Earl is the closest voice to feel Fredrick Douglas speech to heart! I actually feel like am listening to Fredrick Douglas😀

An Amazing pioneer Mr.Jones is. His voices delivery so much power

Wow!!!!! What I didn't know about the 4th of July. This was very eye opening. Thank you for this.

James Earl Jones can read anything to me all day. 😊

Mr James Earl Jones and his powerful voice of Truth 📖

Poignant words repeated approximately 150 years later by an iconic and haunting voice.

Powerful

Dam when James Earl spoke it felt like I was automatically transported in a time machine or something

THE BEST SPEECH IN AMERICAN HISTORY!!!!! MOST POWERFUL!!!!

Thank you Frederick Douglas for opening the door for discussions regarding the Freedom of America to ALL PEOPLE! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸. FREEDOM OF ALL INDIVIDUALS! ❤️

Still relevant to this day

Wow, nice reading!

Need to be played on 4th of July on all radio stations and played on Juneteenth 😔👌😭🙏

Great words from a great man recited by a great man.

It’s astounding how true these words are even today