The backstory

Kaepernick quoted the following part of a Douglass speech:

“What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national independence? This Fourth of July is yours, not mine…There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of these United States at this very hour.”

“What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national independence? This Fourth of July is yours, not mine…There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of these United States at this very hour.”

– Frederick Douglass pic.twitter.com/IWLujGCJHn

— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) July 4, 2019

Cruz replied to the tweet, pointing out that such an isolated quote could be misleading about Douglass’ views on America, and went on to quote more of the speech.

The conflict

Cruz quoting Douglass more fully, and directing readers to read the entire speech, was unacceptable to New York Times editorial board member Mara Gay.

“Frederick Douglass is an American hero, and his name has no business in your mouth,” Gay wrote to Cruz.

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