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Frederick Douglass

1818–1895

American abolitionist, writer and speaker who escaped slavery.

What they got right

He used his audience's own principles against them, showing that celebrating liberty while defending slavery was a glaring inconsistency.

Skill it shows

Evaluating arguments

Practise this skill

Also: Logical fallacies

What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim.
Speech at Corinthian Hall, Rochester, New York, 5 July 1852 Source

Worth knowing

Many short quotes attributed to him online are paraphrases; use his speeches and books directly.

Try it yourself

Find someone you disagree with. Can you build your case using only principles THEY already accept?