NH Communities Read Frederick Douglass
From: Black Heritage Trail of NH
On July 5, 1852, Frederick Douglass, an abolitionist and heroic orator for liberty, delivered one of his most famous speeches in which he asked, “What to the slave is your Fourth of July?” In addressing an Independence Day observance in Rochester, New York, his speech was a blistering indictment of an American idealism that ignored and accepted the inhuman treatment of enslaved African Americans as part of the country’s identity and economy. Ironically, even though Douglass’ words spoke directly to this moment in history, they still ring with an unsettling power today.
For the past several years, on July 3rd, the BHTNH has collaborated with community leaders around the Granite State to bring people together to read Douglass’ historic protest speech and to reflect on its meaning.
While reading Frederick Douglass’ work is a powerful experience for many, it is only one piece of the long-overdue conversations that our communities need to have. We hope that these readings will be a starting point for these difficult dialogues and that they will provide an opportunity for us to engage in deeper conversations that will lead to actions to help build more inclusive and just communities today.
LIVE/IN PERSON COMMUNITY READINGS & LOCATIONS
Saturday, JULY 3, 2021
- CLAREMONT | Broad Street Park, Bandstand | 6:30pm | Contact Rebecca MacKenzie –reb178@myfairpoint.net
- CONCORD | Capitol Steps | 12:00 NOON | Contact Sarah Robinson -concordnhsurj@gmail.com
- DOVER | Bandstand at Henry Law Park | 1 Washington St. | 12:00 Noon | Contact Phil Hatcher –Phil.hatcher@gmail.com
- EXETER | Exeter Town Hall | 12:00 Noon | Contact Pat Yosha – pyosha@comcast.net
- HOPKINTON | Hopkinton Town Hall, 330 Main St Hopkinton | 12:00 Noon | Contact Heather Mitchell – director@hopkintonhistory.org
- LEBANON | Colburn Park in Lebanon | July 4, 11:00 AM | Contact Carol Rougvie –cbrougvie@gmail.com
- NASHUA | Nashua Library Commons | 12:00 Noon | Contact Linda Gathright –lindagathright@live.com
- MANCHESTER | 12:00 Noon | Contact James McKim -naacppresident2069@gmail.com
- PORTSMOUTH | Strawbery Banke | Parking Lot at 14 Hancock St. | 12:00 Noon | Contact Gina Bowker – gina@blackheritagetrailnh.org
- ROCHESTER | 12:00 Noon | Contact Jen Towle –rpac@rochesteroperahouse.org
- ROLLINSFORD | Colonel Paul Wentworth House (Water Street, Rollinsford) | 12:00 Noon | Contact Julia Roberts – julialroberts@comcast.net
- WARNER | Warner Town Hall | 12:30 PM | Contact Lynn Clarke – info@warnerhistorical.org
Views Abridged Version Here (this one used for community read)
View Full Speech Here (English)
View Full Speech Here (Spanish)
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