Reading Frederick Douglass

Reading Frederick Douglass
Saturday, July 5, 1-3 p.m.
Frederick Douglass delivered his speech “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” on July 5, 1852, in Rochester, N.Y., to a local antislavery women’s group. It began with a sympathetic account of the American Revolution and its great promise for freedom, then in the second half pivoted to detail the gross hypocrisy of American enslavement on the legacy of that struggle. Each year Rokeby celebrates the importance of Douglass’ speech by inviting the public to participate in reading it on Saturday, July 5, 1-3 p.m. Francois Clemmons, who appeared as “Officer Clemmons” on the PBS television series “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” will be present to begin the ceremony. Admission is free.