Frederick Douglass Bicentennial
For the spring 2018 course, students and I will be working on "mapping" Frederick Douglass as part of the year-long bicentennial celebration of the abolitionist's work that is anchored here in Rochester, NY. Rochester's Mayor Lovely A. Warren and Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo have proclaimed 2018 as “The Year of Frederick Douglass,” in order to foreground Douglass and to encourage the entire community to join in celebration of the life and legacy of Rochester's favorite son, legendary social reformer Frederick Douglass.
As Mayor Warren stated, "Frederick Douglass is one of the greatest historical figures of all time. His leadership of the abolitionist movement is renowned throughout the world. It’s important that we continue to remember the sacrifices he made during his extraordinary life in his tireless fight to abolish slavery as well as his contributions to the women’s suffrage movement. This significant anniversary gives us another opportunity to honor his legacy in Rochester and beyond."
The Year of Frederick Douglass proclamation was delivered on Jan. 4 at the historic Hochstein School of Music and Dance, the site of Douglass’ massive funeral in 1895.
