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