ArtsConnect welcomes volunteers for event support for our upcoming event, We Read Frederick Douglass. For volunteers interested in Event Support, please respond to this opportunity. For volunteers interested in participating as a reader at the event, please RSVP using this link.
Please join ArtsConnect at 2p on Saturday, July 5th, 2025 at the Brown v. Board of Education Nat’l Historical Park Site for a community reading of Frederick Douglass’ iconic speech, entitled “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July" on Saturday, July 5, 2025 starting at 2p. Participants will take a turn reading a section of the speech until the speech is complete
The life of and works by Frederick Douglass continue to shape our understanding of America. A gifted orator and prescient writer, Douglass' speech forces us to reckon with the legacy of slavery and the promises of democracy. This speech was originally given by Douglass on July 5, 1952 and remains one of Douglass' most well-known speeches because of it's continued relevancy.
EVERYONE is invited to participate by reading, listening and/or reflecting in community. Using art, history & resistance as our tools, our togetherness moves us toward a more perfect union as a nation and as a community
Attendees are invited to gather in the auditorium of the Brown v. Board of Education Nat'l Historical Park Site (1515 SE Monroe, Topeka KS 66612) starting at 2p. The reading of the speech will begin at 3p and will be followed by a discussion led by Ranger Jim Williams of the National Park Service.
If you would like to participate by reading a section of the speech, please clink on this link and select that option when you RSVP. Printed copies of the speech will be provided and each reader will be given a section of the speech to read.
ArtsConnect hosted an online version of this event in 2020 and you can find that recording along with additional information about the reading at http://www.artstopeka.org/frederickdouglass.
This event is made possible with the help of Mass Humanities, who hosts dozens of these events all across Massachusetts each year and provide all of the materials needed for the reading.
This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided. If you require special accommodations in order to participate fully, please contact Sarah at sarah@artstopeka.org so that arrangements can be made.
