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?” 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.
On July 1, 2022, ARCH will be participating in the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire’s program of statewide community readings of Douglass’ historic protest speech. Members of the public are invited to join us at the Wentworth house to read this powerful speech and reflect on its meaning for us today.
DATE: Friday, July 1, 2022
TIME: Noon – 1PM