The nationality of the antebellum slave is difficult to define. The original slaves were of African origin and therefore it could be argued that the great continent of Africa is the source of their nationality. However, even if this were the case, this provision would only affect the first generation of Africans bound by American slavery. Well, what about slaves born in America? If one were to consider the main definition of nationality: “the status of belonging to a particular nation, whether by birth or naturalization,” then slaves born in America would be Americans, but are they (Nationality)? “What is the Fourth of July to the slave?” by Frederick Douglass? The oration sheds light on this ambiguous topic. Throughout Douglass' speech, he focuses on the mistaken ideals of the American people and strives to demonstrate the value of the slaves. Considering Douglass' tenacious determination to authenticate the value of these slaves, as well as the general temper of the speech, I surmise that America's slaves lacked nationality. Douglass' speech, although full of rhetoric and effluent irony, generates a remarkably effective montage showing the evils of a severely oppressed race. Among the plethora of ridiculous provocations, Douglass seems to focus on the bitter irony regarding America's independence and their decision to support slavery, as well as the extreme prejudice and mistreatment of slaves, and the hypocrisy of a nation that supposedly values ​​Christianity and the freedoms conveyed in the Declaration of Independence. Douglas extends his argument to highlight the unusual paradox regarding slavery in the land of the free. Douglass refutes the Fourth of July celebration when he states:...... middle of paper ......ary Approaches to Cultural Diversity 12.1 (2010): 4-15. Academic research completed. EBSCO. Network. April 8, 2011.Ernest, John. "Liberation Historiography: African American Historians Before the Civil War." American Literary History 14.3 (2002): 413-443. Comprehensive humanities international. EBSCO. Network. April 9, 2011.Haymes, Stephen Nathan. “‘We are not pigs, we are human flesh’: Slave pedagogy and the problem of ontology in African American slave culture.” Educational Studies 32.2 (2001): 129-157. Professional development collection. EBSCO. Network. April 8, 2011.Mintz, Steven. “Frederick Douglass Reflects on the Status of African Americans.” Journal of History OAH 22.2 (2008): 49-52. MasterFILEPremier. EBSCO. Network. 8 April 2011."Nationality." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. April 20. 2011. .