This time last week, I was photographing the reading of Frederick Douglass’ speech, What To The Slave Is The 4th of July,” at Stagville Historic Site in Durham, North Carolina. The speech was given by Frederick Douglass on July 5, 1852. He was invited to address the citizens of his hometown, Rochester, New York. The address was in commemoration of the 76th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. He used the occasion not to celebrate the nation’s victories but to remind all of the irony of preaching freedom while continuing to enslave millions of Black people.

I have known about the speech for some years but hearing people read the text was powerful! I love how they had a signup sheet for signing up to read a portion of the speech. People signed up for different parts of the speech and read one after the other until the entire speech was read. My friend, Lisa, randomly mentioned the event to me while we were discussing July 4th activities in the area. I decided to check it out. I am so glad I witnessed the event and documented it.

Sadly, the speech is as relevant today. Black people are no longer enslaved but they are very consistently and still being oppressed in systemic and tangible ways. From the disproportionate incarceration of Black people for free labor to the inadequate funding of public schools in predominantly Black and Brown communities to state-sanctioned killings of Black men and women (and even kids) among other countless issues to mention. As alluded to by Douglass, let’s just say the freedom and independence being celebrated doesn’t seem to be profoundly experienced by Black and other marginalized communities.

One of the things I have also come to observe about American history is that every time there is sizable progress in the enrichment of Black Americans and wealth accumulation, there is a backlash by those who are not pleased by such. Policies are put in place to retract the advancement made or minimize more growth for Black people. This is happening right now as I type.

It was great to see people reading and listening to the speech especially considering the demographics of the audience. I hope it serves as a reminder to all to keep fighting for justice for and the advancement of Black and other marginalized people. I pray and hope we will do better as a nation and work for the betterment of ALL people in the United States…and the world! I do wish there were more Black people at the event. 🙂

I have posted some of the photos that I captured below. You can check out all the photos from the event at this public gallery – https://kumolustudios.pic-time.com/-durhameventphotographerwhattotheslaveisthe4thofjulystagville .

Durham Event Photographer Stagville Historic Site
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