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?
A. the alarming rise in crime that was taking place
B. the difficulties of living in Virginia prior to the Civil War
C. the injustice and unreliability of the death penalty
D. the unfair treatment of Black people in the courts
1 answer
D. the unfair treatment of Black people in the courts
In this excerpt, Frederick Douglass highlights the stark disparity in legal consequences based on race, emphasizing the systemic injustice faced by Black individuals in the legal system of Virginia.
