Photo: Suzanne Sausville/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — An event in Downtown Crossing on Thursday recognized America’s history with slavery with a reading of Frederick Douglass’s famous speech, “What, to the Slave, Is the Fourth of July?”
Douglass delivered the speech during a keynote address to the Rochester Ladies' Anti-Slavery Society in Rochester, New York, at an Independence Day celebration on July 5, 1852.
“The sunlight that brought light and healing to you, has brought stripes and death to me. This Fourth of July is yours, not mine,” one person read out from Douglass’s speech during the event in Boston on Thursday.
Photo: Suzanne Sausville/WBZ NewsRadio
Douglass escaped slavery in Maryland and became one of the most prominent leaders of the abolition movement in the 19th century.
He has deep ties to Massachusetts: he lived with his wife in New Bedford and Lynn after escaping enslavement, he delivered some of his most famous speeches in Boston, and he wrote his bestselling autobiography, "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave," in Massachusetts.
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Douglass's speech condemns the celebration of the 4th of July and the supposed freedoms it represents by highlighting how the existence of slavery undermines the idea of true liberty for all in America.
“The existence of slavery in this country brands your republicanism a sham, your humanity a base pretense, and your Christianity a lie. It destroys your moral power abroad; it corrupts your politicians at home,” reads Douglass’s speech.
Photo: Suzanne Sausville/WBZ NewsRadio
The last section of the speech is a message of hope despite the violence and oppression of enslavement that Douglass previously described.
“Notwithstanding the dark picture I have this day presented of the state of the nation, I do not despair of this country. There are forces in operation, which must inevitably work the downfall of slavery,” said Douglass.
Photo: Suzanne Sausville/WBZ NewsRadio
Karen, who is from Lynnfield and was at the event in Downtown Crossing, said that we have a long way to go to achieve Douglass’s dream.
“I think the history of African Americans has not been well-told in this country, but we have to remember our past and seek a way to get to that hopeful future.”
The event on Thursday included African dancing, steel drums, and gospel music.
WBZ NewsRadio's Suzanne Sausville (@WBZSausville) reports.
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