Writers Respond Virtually to Frederick Douglass’s “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”

Location: Providence Public Library’s YouTube page

PVDFest, in partnership with Langston Hughes Community Poetry Reading, will present “Hope in the Ever-living Now,” a live virtual event featuring new works of poetry, prose, and creative writing for performance in response to Frederick Douglass’ ‘What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?’. The work has been performed countless times in the 169 years since its debut, often in the days following Independence Day celebrations, offering a contemplative counterpoint to lively barbecues and fireworks displays. Douglass, the famous abolitionist who freed himself from slavery, originally delivered his speech to the Ladies Anti-Slavery Society of Rochester, New York on July 5, 1852, a time during which the United States was embroiled in debates over slavery.

Visit the Facebook event page for more informaiton on the event.

For more information on PVDFest Ideas! please visit https://pvdfest.com/pvd-ideas-2021/