Reading Frederick Douglass Together -July 5 – Newburyport
Join us for Newburyport’s 9th annual community reading of Frederick Douglass’s powerful speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”
An in-person community reading of Frederick Douglass’s impassioned 1852 speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” will take place on Sunday, July 5, at 10am. Lend your voice to this powerful participatory event.
We will gather near the Garrison statue in Brown Square, Newburyport. Seating is limited – please bring a chair or blanket to the reading.
The ninth annual Reading Frederick Douglass Together takes place Sunday, July 5, at 10 a.m. across from City Hall at Brown Square, 60 Pleasant St. This event brings people together to read and discuss Frederick Douglass’ influential address, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” No sign-ups necessary. The reading of the speech takes about 45 minutes. Seating is limited – bring a folding chair. Light refreshments will be provided.
The event is organized by the Friends of William Lloyd Garrison with support from the YWCA of Greater Newburyport, the First Religious Society UU, Museum of Old Newbury, Congregation Ahavas Achim, and the Newburyport Human Rights Commission. This program is funded in part by Mass Humanities. Funding from Mass Humanities has been provided through the Massachusetts Cultural Council. In the event of rain, the event will be held nearby at the First Religious Society, 26 Pleasant St.
About Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass was born in 1818 and escaped from slavery in Maryland in 1838. He lived for many years in Massachusetts and at one time worked for the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. He delivered the Fourth of July speech on July 5, 1852, in Rochester, New York, to the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society. The most celebrated orator of his day, Douglass’ powerful language, resolute denunciations of slavery, and forceful examination of the Constitution challenge us to think about the histories we tell, the values they teach, and if our actions match our aspirations.
The speech being read can be found here: https://www.newburyhistory.org/frederick-douglass-speech-medium
Made possible with support from:
