For writing assignment Nine, please read “The Narrative of Sojourner Truth” Dictated by Truth, ‘The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro” by Frederick Douglas, the “Gettysburg Address,” and “Second Inaugural Address” by Lincoln. Describe the life that Sojourner Truth is forced to live as a slave. Then using Truth’s words and Douglass speech, point out the limits of the U.S. stated position of equality, liberty, and personal happiness. How did slave owners attempt to justify slavery, while upholding principles of equality? Do you think there was any possibility of equality being extended to everyone in the U.S. without war? Were LIncoln’s speeches a satisfactory response to the inequality, exploitation, and bloodshed or do you think political necessity and/or the racism of the time limited his response?
