"What to the Slave is the Fourth of July" is a speech delivered by Frederick Douglass on July 5, 1852 in Rochester, New York. Douglass, a former enslaved African American who became a leading abolitionist and social reformer, delivered the speech to a predominantly white audience at a time when the United States was deeply divided over the issue of slavery.

In his powerful speech, Douglass challenged the hypocrisy of celebrating Independence Day while millions of African Americans remained enslaved and denied their basic human rights. He highlighted the stark contrast between the ideals of liberty and equality espoused in the Declaration of Independence and the harsh reality of slavery in America.

Douglass eloquently exposed the injustice and cruelty of slavery, calling on his audience to recognize the humanity and dignity of enslaved people and to work towards the abolition of slavery. He emphasized that the Fourth of July held a very different meaning for African Americans, as they were still fighting for their own freedom and equality.

Douglass's speech remains a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for civil rights and racial justice in America, and his words continue to resonate with people fighting against oppression and discrimination.