|
|
News
Rochester-Monroe County Freedom Trail Commission Announces 2003-The Year of Frederick Douglass
December 22, 2002 Rochester, NY- People of all faiths are urged to usher in the new year determined to establish it as the “Year of Frederick Douglass.” The Rochester-Monroe County Freedom Trail Commission has put out the call to educators as well as religious leaders, reasoning that Rochester, the city from which Douglass performed his most important work, is obligated to lead the effort. Rochester was a major corridor to freedom in Canada, and Douglas was the preeminent station-master; he, more than any individual, lobbied, goaded, pleaded, demanded freedom and justice for his people.
The 175 year-old Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church will incorporate tributes to Douglass in their December 31 “Watch Night” services. On December 28, 1862, Douglass took the pulpit of what was then called Zion Church, to calm the attendees who were anxious about the Emancipation Proclamation. President Lincoln had warned the Confederacy that he would issue the executive order, January 1, 1863. But many were unsure that the politician and president would follow through; he was unpredictable, and suspect on the matter of rights for people of color. Douglass’ reassurances notwithstanding, on the night of December 31, 1862, African American people gathered at the few enclaves at their disposal to bid the old year’s farewell to pray for a new age- an age of freedom. A reenactment of that 1862 scenario by Akwaaba: The Heritage Associates will be incorporated into “Watch Night” services as Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church.
The 140th year since Emancipation will be marked by events and tributes throughout 2003. “Men of Color to Arms,” a March 27-29, 2003 conference saluting Douglass’ advocacy for black men’s participation in the U.S. Civil war, will feature Dr. David Satcher, the 16th Surgeon General of the United States. On March 28, Dr. Satcher will draw parallels between the casualties stemming from disease and ignorance (as well as battlefield wounds), and the equally heavy scourges ravaging our community today. As with Douglass, Dr. Satcher’s presentation will be a “call to arms.”
Projects are being planned to entice people into reading and discussing the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, the first of Douglass’ three autobiographies. “From Austin Steward to Frederick Douglass: Striding Towards Freedom,” will be offered by St. John Fisher College. Freedom Trail Commission chair David Anderson will teach a new course. A new play, exhibits, and several living history reenactments are being planned. Such activities will contribute to the development of the Frederick Douglass Academy, an interpretive center, projected for 2004. For more information, contact Delores Jackson Radney at (585) 436-6453 or Reenah Golden at (585) 325-6190.
|
