Frederick Douglass escaped from slavery as a young man. He became a celebrated abolitionist. In 1852, he was invited to speak at Corinthian Hall in Rochester, New York, to commemorate the 4th of July.

This is an early example of critical race theory.

Here is an excerpt of his powerful and eloquent speech:

Fellow Citizens, I am not wanting in respect for the fathers of this republic. The signers of the Declaration of Independence were brave men. They were great men, too great enough to give frame to a great age. It does not often happen to a nation to raise, at one time, such a number of truly great men. The point from which I am compelled to view them is not, certainly, the most favorable; and yet I cannot contemplate their great deeds with less than admiration. They were statesmen, patriots and heroes, and for the good they…