Question

what, to the slave, is the fourth of july? by frederick douglass
on july 5, 1852, frederick douglass, an escaped enslaved person and abolitionist, delivered “what to the slave is the fourth of july?” in rochester, new york. speaking to an audience gathered for independence day, he challenged the celebration of freedom while slavery persisted, aiming to persuade listeners to end it.
excerpt from \what, to the slave, is the fourth of july?\
for the present, it is enough to affirm the equal manhood of the negro race. is it not astonishing that while we are plowing, planting and reaping, using all kinds of mechanical tools, erecting houses, constructing bridges, building ships, working in metals of brass, iron, copper, silver, and gold; that while we are reading, writing, and cyphering, acting as clerks, merchants, and secretaries, having among us lawyers, doctors, ministers, poets, authors, editors, orators, and teachers; that while we are engaged in all manner of enterprises common to other men, digging gold in california, capturing the whale in the pacific, feeding sheep and cattle on the hillside, living, moving, acting, thinking, planning, living in families as husbands, wives, and children, and, above all, confessing and worshipping the christian’s god, and looking hopefully for life and immortality beyond the grave, we are called upon to prove that we are men?
what is frederick douglass trying to convince the audience of in this highlighted excerpt?
he is suggesting that these activities are trivial and unimportant
he is trying to impress the audience with a long list of activities
he is demonstrating the diverse skills and humanity of black people

Explanation:

Frederick Douglass lists a wide - range of activities that Black people engage in, such as using tools, building, working in various professions, having families, and worshipping. This is to show that Black people have diverse skills and are fully human, challenging the dehumanizing views of slavery.

Answer:

He is demonstrating the diverse skills and humanity of Black people