"What, to the American slave, is your Fourth of July?" asked Frederick Douglass on July 5, 1852, in a speech in Corinthian Hall in Rochester.
The Frederick Douglass Resource Center is offering an opportunity to reflect on that question during its second annual commemoration of Douglass' speech, which continues today. This year's program theme is "Building Black Communities."
Gerry Hunt, executive director of the FDRC, said that many of the statements Frederick Douglass made in his speech still ring true.
"We're going through a crisis right now... and the only way we can address these things is by understanding who we are," Hunt said.
In an effort to show young people that "the African-American community is much larger than 14608 and 14624," Hunt invited speakers from all over the country. Special guest Brothas Keepa, a Tennessee-based duo, spoke of the importance of African Americans building their own institutions.
"It's very important that our African-American community understand that it is not up to others to save us," Hunt said.
Heru Ra of Rochester, a volunteer with the program, said that with the FDRC, the African-American community has a place where it can pull together its resources.
"The role (of the speakers) is to strike a chord in the minds of those that are in attendance," Ra said.
Hunt said July 5 is a clarion call for the African-American community to wake up and understand what this country means to them and what their own heritage — that of being an African — means to them.
"Without a foundation as to who you are and where you come from, you have no way of navigating your current course," he said.
Hunt said that the very same character that was present within Frederick Douglass to overcome obstacles is present within all young people.
Thomas Muhammad of Rochester said he came to the event to learn about African-American history and participate in something that he said is moving the community forward.
"Without unity, there is no success," he said.
Posted By: Siebra Muhammad
Monday, July 5th 2010 at 9:32AM
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