It is interesting to compare Douglass's "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July" with Franklin's "Information to Those Who Would Remove to America" because it highlights the lack of awareness, or blind denial of, prejudice in America. Franklin writes:
"Strangers are welcome, because there is room enough for them all, and therefore the old inhabitants are not jealous of them, so that they have no need of the patronage of great men; and every one will enjoy securely the profits of his industry."
First, Franklin believes that everyone is welcome in America, but this is often not the case. There is a long history of xenophobia in America. In the earlier days, this was particularly against the Irish and the Native Americans. Second, in line with what we could call the "American Dream," he claims that anyone can become anything one chooses if one works hard. Franklin claims that there are opportunities and education available to all. However, as Douglass well knew, slaves were not free to make any real choices about their lives because they were considered nothing more than property. The "American Dream" is completely denied to them along with their freedom, their families, their wages, and their safety. Also, women were not considered people and held only slightly more power than slaves. While Franklin claims that America is open to all, he really means all white men.
How else are Franklin's and Douglass's ideas about America in conflict? Are they similar in any way? Based on the text, do you think Franklin choosing to ignore disenfranchised groups or is he blinded by his privilege and ethnocentrism?
That's an interesting question. I had also noticed in Franklin's writing that he starts off talking about how welcoming America is, then bit by bit he narrows that window of opportunity. Some of it seems useful and pretty fair to say. That "strangers possessing talents...must be highly-esteemed, and so well paid," is a false assumption. That coming to America isn't a get-rich-quick scheme, and the citizens literally worked for a living.
ReplyDeleteThen at the other end of his writing, Franklin adds in rather abruptly that those of "serious religions" are most welcome, but if you are otherwise then you should not immigrate for "atheists and infidels" would insult the piety of those in the community.
I think that he purposefully ignored the two afore mentioned groups until the end (where he felt it necessary to add in the 'PS: If you haven't already figured it out, you're not wanted if you don't hold the same beliefs as us'). However, Franklin may very well be blinded to other such groups that were not mentioned in his writing.