Frederick Douglass – Speaking out in Baltimore (or let’s pretend…)

The brief introduction to Frederick Douglass’s speech, A Plea for Free Speech in Boston, discusses how Douglass appeals to his audience by emphasizing the city pride: “Notice how he appeals to his audience’s local pride by reminding them of Boston’s traditional respect for individual freedom”.

Since our class contains a bunch of writers, some of you may find it fun to rewrite this essay from a Baltimore perspective in response to legalizing gay marriage. What are some ways that the speaker could appeal to an audience in Baltimore, Annapolis, or any other place in Maryland (perhaps your hometown if you grew up in Maryland)? Is there anything in particular that Maryland is known for? What landmarks or items would you emphasize?