Question

read the excerpt from \what to the slave is the fourth of july?\

there are seventy-two crimes in the state of virginia which, if committed by a black man (no matter how ignorant he be), subject him to the punishment of death; while only two of the same crimes will subject a white man to the like punishment.

what problem is douglass referring to in this excerpt?

• the alarming rise in crime that was taking place
• the difficulties of living in virginia prior to the civil war
• the injustice and unreliability of the death penalty
• the unfair treatment of black people in the courts

Explanation:

Analyze the contrast in the text

The excerpt highlights a stark disparity: seventy-two capital crimes for Black men versus only two for white men in Virginia.

Identify the core issue

This legal inequality directly demonstrates systemic bias and unequal justice based on race.

Match with the correct option

The disparity in capital offenses represents the unfair treatment of Black people in the legal and judicial system.

Answer:

• the alarming rise in crime that was taking place
• the difficulties of living in Virginia prior to the Civil War
• the injustice and unreliability of the death penalty
• the unfair treatment of Black people in the courts (Correct answer)