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.
Views Abridged Version Here (this one used for community read)
View Full Speech Here (English)
View Full Speech Here (Spanish)
Unravel the complexities of the Electoral College through four 2020 presidential electors.
Filmed in jazz clubs, HARGROVE shines a spotlight on Roy Hargrove's genius and contribution to jazz.
Oil painter Samir Khurshid's work reflects his tumultuous Iraq childhood and refugee life.
How did the extreme Antarctic winter affected the Belgica's crew?
How can future astronauts best prepare themselves to face these challenges?
The central mystery of this unconventional documentary is the nature of sound itself.
How do you keep humans sane and relatively content in isolation?
The grueling journey to Mars.
For Native Alaskans living on a tiny Bering Sea island, if you don't hunt, you die.
Get early access with PBS Passport.
The role and meaning of sound is explored in an unconventional documentary experience.
NASA psychologists prepare astronauts for the extreme isolation of a Mars mission.
A young woman makes plans to give her sister, who is dying, the best days of her life.
Three people navigate their lives with determination in the face of Parkinson's disease.
Danielle Metz, a mother of two, tells her story of incarceration and separation.
A daughter opens up about growing up very young without her mother who was incarcerated.
A conversation with Black Public Media's Leslie Fields-Cruz and Denise Green.
Jo, a witty 9-year-old terminally ill girl, dreams of being a superhero in her village.
Danielle Metz speaks at a Free Her campaign, calling for clemency of incarcerated women.
A conversation with KATI KATI's Mbithi Masya.
If you had one superpower, what would it be?
A woman discovers a place inhabited by the souls of dead people waiting for redemption.
After death, where do you go? The afterlife. But it's complicated especially in Kati Kati.
A conversation with COMMUTED's Nailah Jefferson, Darcy McKinnon and Danielle Metz.
NASA psychologists prepare astronauts for the extreme isolation of a Mars mission.
A crew of 12 Mexican tree planters travel the United States regrowing America's forests.
Midwestern families deal with unseen mental health issues affecting farmers in America.
An Alaska Native family faces backlash from environmentalists due to whale hunting.
What are the challenges facing local journalists?
Meet the Mexican guest workers who leave their families to plant trees across America.
Documentary and narrative films about the global Black experience.
After Danielle Metz's commutation, she gets a rare chance to regain her life and family.
After Danielle Metz's commutation, she gets a rare chance to regain her life and family.
Jo, a witty 9-year-old terminally ill girl, dreams of being a superhero in her village.
Jo, a witty 9-year-old terminally ill girl, dreams of being a superhero in her village.
A woman discovers a place inhabited by the souls of dead people waiting for redemption.
A woman discovers a place inhabited by the souls of dead people waiting for redemption.
Princeville, NC, once the all Black town of 'Freedom Hill,' faces flooding and erosion.
Princeville, NC, once the all Black town of 'Freedom Hill,' faces flooding and erosion.
Watch Independent Lens on the PBS App.
It's not always easy to spot the difference between facts and opinion.
What's the first 24 hours after you're arrested like?
A support group for men who served time inside Louisiana's Angola State Pen.
A young woman feels pressure to plead guilty while kept waiting in jail for 60 days.
Facing Parkinson's disease, three Americans navigate their lives with determination.
A mental health crisis has taken shape in our newsrooms.
Farmers persevere through climate change, industrialization, and mental health crises.
How a women-led newsroom blazed a trail for women's rights.
Women and LGBTQ+ journalists launch startup The 19th* to buck a broken news media system.