'What To The Slave Is The Fourth of July?' Grafton's 4th

GRAFTON, MA—This year, America is celebrating the 200th birthday of Frederick Douglass, and Grafton is combining the birthday with the birth of America itself.

Commemorate the life and legacy of this 19th century statesman, civil rights advocate and journalist, "and especially his fierce determination to address the contradictions of American society."

According to the announcement, the program celebrates Douglass's commitment to equal justice, particularly as they relate to race, gender and immigration.

The Unitarian Universalist Society of Grafton & Upton (UUSGU) is sponsoring and leading Reading Frederick Douglas Together: a public reading of his famous Fourth of July address, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?"

The reading takes place on July 5 on Grafton Common at 5:30 p.m. Those attending the event are encouraged to bring a picnic. Event organizers provide lemonade, water, and desserts.

Here's the program:

5:30 p.m. – A music program will be presented by the Blackstone Valley Chorus, with singers from Apple Tree Arts and UUSGU.

6 p.m. – Reading of the Frederick Douglass speech.

6:45 p.m. – Follow-up discussion lead by Donna Maria Cameron. The reading will be followed by a discussion group(s) to explore the meaning and relevance of Douglass’ words to each of us today, particularly as they relate to race, gender, and immigration.

This program is produced in partnership with the Friends of the Grafton Public Library, Grafton Historical Society, and Apple Tree Arts. It is funded in part by Mass Humanities, which receives support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and is an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

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