Kimball Library hosts a participatory reading of Frederick Douglass's fiery 1852 speech, also known as "The Meaning of the Fourth of July to the Negro." Members of the community are invited to take part in or witness the reading. Copies of the speech will be distributed at the event and participants will take turns reading a paragraph at a time. All are invited to convene at the Library's front steps immediately following the parade, at about noon.

On July 5, 1852, Douglass, a former slave and leading abolitionist, pointedly raised the "race question" at an event in Rochester, NY, commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence. "Fellow-citizens," he began, "why am I called upon to speak here to-day? What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national independence? Do you mean, citizens, to mock me, by asking me to speak to-day? What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July?"

By hosting this event during the celebration of this nation's independence, we invite thought and discussion about race and citizenship now, more than a century and a half later. After a two year hiatus, Kimball Library revives this community event, originally developed by Community Change Inc. and supported by Vermont Humanities. For more information, please contact Kimball Library: 802-728-5073 or info@KimballLibrary.org.