The words of Frederick Douglass ring true today just like they did 150 years ago. Watch this video to hear students from Young Chicago Authors read short quotes from some of Douglass’ famous speeches. YCA helps young people from all backgrounds to understand the importance of their own stories and those of others, so that they can pursue the path they choose and work to make their communities more just and equitable.
In 1845, Frederick Douglass published his memoir “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave.” Sadly, 175 years later, his words remain all too relevant today.
To remind us of the depth of the pain and cruelty upon which our country was built, and how far we have yet to go to meet the true hope of equality that Douglass spent his life fighting and writing for, we present a reading of his memoir in its entirety featuring contemporary writers, scholars, and activists reading his work.
We hope that you will hear the demands for dignity today echoing the words of history, and take up the cause of dismantling white supremacy, for which Douglass had a simple command: “Agitate! Agitate! Agitate!”