July 1, 2024 - Frederick Douglass, rare books at the BPL, and Boston's Harborfest
About The Episode
“What to the American slave is your Fourth of July?”
That is the question Frederick Douglass posed to an audience of abolitionists at an event commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It was July 5, 1852 in Rochester, New York.
In that speech, Douglass confronted the hypocrisy of a day celebrating freedom in a country that still endorsed the forced labor and bondage of more than 3 million people. It’s a speech with deep resonance today. This is why Mass Humanities sponsors public readings of this speech, which happen across the region. Brian Boyles, executive director of Mass Humanities, and Paula Elliott, a vocalist and one of the organizers of the first Frederick Douglass reading on the Boston Common in 2009 join The Culture Show.
Then it’s another take on Independence Day. On July 5th the Boston Public Library’s Special Collections is hosting an open house, to showcase the multiple original printings of the Declaration of Independence held within the Rare Books and Manuscripts Department. Jay Moschella, Manager & Curator of Rare Books, joins The Culture Show for an overview.
Finally, it’s Boston Harborfest 2024, a four-day spectacular with events that mark Boston's heritage. Michael Nichols, President of the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District and George Comeau who is their senior manager of destination events and the Navy Band Northeast’s Crosswinds Woodwind Quintet pack into The Culture Show studio for an overview.
