Community members will read and discuss “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” by Frederick Douglass. This event will take place outside in the East Garden at Central Library.
The life and works of Frederick Douglass continue to shape our understanding of America. A gifted orator and prescient writer, Douglass forces us to reckon with the legacy of slavery and the promises of democracy. Douglass sought freedom from slavery in 1838. He delivered the Fourth of July speech on July 5, 1852, in Rochester, New York, to the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society. The most celebrated orator of his day, Douglass’ powerful language, resolute denunciations of slavery, and forceful examination of the Constitution challenge us to think about the histories we tell, the values they teach, and if our actions match our aspirations. To quote Douglass, “We have to do with the past only as we can make it useful to the future.”
Hoosiers Reading Frederick Douglass Together is a collaborative project that bring Douglass`s words and ideas to life with participatory readings throughout Indiana and for building educational curriculum.
Indiana University School of Liberal Arts Presents Frederick Douglas Papers online, or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. To learn more about the Frederick Douglass Papers you may also email or call 317 274-5834.
AGE GROUP: | All Ages |
EVENT TYPE: | Center for Black Literature and Culture |
As the hub of the Indianapolis Public Library system, Central Library showcases renowned architecture and services. The original 1917 building, designed by Paul Cret and constructed of Indiana limestone in the Greek Doric style, was considered one of the most outstanding secular buildings in the U.S. Its six-story glass and steel-framed addition, designed by Evans Woollen, opened in 2007.