Reading Frederick Douglass Together

A Multilingual Reading of Frederick Douglass’ What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?

Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Present

Thursday, June 18, 2026, 4:30 p.m.
Bristol Community College – New Bedford Campus
800 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA 

Join us for a powerful multilingual reading of Frederick Douglass' iconic speech, What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? Presented in Wôpanâak (indigenous Wampanoag language), Portuguese, Cape Verdean Creole and English.

This free public event reflects the cultural richness of New Bedford today while calling us to consider the speech’s enduring message of justice, equity, and freedom. Opening the event will be UMass Dartmouth Associate Dean/Director of the Frederick Douglass Unity House, Dr. Moise Saint Louis. 

Refreshments from Cafe Arpeggio will be provided.

Douglass & New Bedford: A Legacy of Courage

Frederick Douglass arrived in New Bedford in 1838 as a newly escaped freedom seeker. He found safety, employment, and dignity in this abolitionist stronghold, and it was here that he first began speaking publicly about the horrors of slavery. New Bedford was the birthplace of his voice as a national leader—and a beacon of hope for those pursuing liberty. 

To learn more about Frederick Douglass, please enjoy the two brochures linked below, provided by the New Bedford Historical Society.

Frederick Douglass Brochure

Nathan and Mary "Polly" Johnson House Brochure

Register to Attend

This event is free, but registration is encouraged.

Register for Reading Frederick Douglass Together

This program is funded by Mass Humanities, which receives support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and is an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Come honor Douglass’ legacy – and reflect on how his words still shape the work of justice in our communities today.