Beverly Reading: 'What To The Slave Is The Fourth of July?'

BEVERLY, MA — A public reading of Frederick Douglass' speech "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" will take place Saturday at 11 a.m. Hale Farm in Beverly.

The Waring School, Historic Beverly, the Human Rights Committee of Beverly and Beverly's Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion invite residents to the community reading of the speech that discusses how the Fourth of July was viewed by the enslaved people of the United States.

Each audience member is encouraged to read a brief section of the speech, which will be provided.

Organizers said many of the themes Frederick Douglass touches on are still seen in this community and others to this day and that "Douglass' words challenge us to view American history and the Fourth of July in a new light."

There will be plenty of free parking and refreshments afterward.

Those interested in taking part in the reading can contact diversity@beverlyma.gov.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)