To begin the evening, LCCPS’ students, grades 4-8, took turns introducing the audience to Frederick Douglass by sharing facts about his remarkable life, each beginning with the words, “This is who Frederick Douglas is…”
Lowell – In recognition of Juneteenth and as part of celebrating Lowell’s 200th birthday, Lowell Community Charter Public School students, parents, staff, and members of the greater Lowell community read Frederick Douglass’ speech, “What to the Slave is the 4th of July?” last Thursday.
This second annual public event was held in The Luna Theater.
The project scholar, Dr. Robert Forrant, Professor of History Emeritus at UMass Lowell, said, “This was a great event to honor Lowell’s 200th birthday year. Frederick Douglass spoke in Lowell on at least three occasions that we know of, and despite the city’s economy relying on enslaved labor for its cotton, there was a well-organized antislavery movement in the city from the 1830s through the end of the Civil War. His ‘What to the Slave…’ address is one of the most important speeches in U.S. history. A public reading of it among the remains of the city’s old cotton mills was a significant historical event!”
Student readers were Wenezar 4th, Natania 4th, Declan 5th, Esther 6th, Zarah 6th, Jonathan 8th grade class president, and Franklin Van 8th. Our adult readers were Dr. Robert Forrant, Nicholas Leonardos, Ernest Nwachan, George Procope, Tenesha Scarlett, Kim Shanahan, Lura Smith, and Jackie Wangatusi.
Following the reading, Dr. Forrant led a lively, interactive discussion with the audience about Douglass’ most famous speech. After the event, readers and attendees had the opportunity to meet and continue their discussion of Douglass’ and the evening’s program while they enjoyed the delicious food provided by Infuse Afro Fusion of Lowell.
The event was open to the public, and tickets were free.
LCCPS proudly sponsored this annual celebration of Frederick Douglass’ famous speech, especially poignant on Lowell’s 200th birthday. The school looks forward to hosting many more public events in The Luna Theater.
The speech culminated with the readers reciting Douglass’ final words in his most famous speech: “God speed the day when human blood shall cease to flow! In every clime be understood, the claims of human brotherhood, and each return for evil, good, not blow for blow; that day will come all feuds to end, and change into a faithful friend each foe.”
