04/07/2025
On this 4th of July, Palmer Memorial Chapel commemorates the courage and sacrifice of those who fought for freedom. For African Americans, the fight for liberty extends far beyond 1776. We remember the voices like Frederick Douglass, who challenged this nation's conscience during an era of enslavement. Today, we acknowledge progress, but we also reflect on the work left undone. Justice, equality, and unity aren't just ideals—they're responsibilities.
Let's keep striving for a future where independence truly belongs to all.
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Video Courtesy: NPR | On July 5, 1852, Frederick Douglass stood before an abolitionist group and gave one of his most famous speeches: “What To The Slave Is The Fourth of July?” That speech confronted the hypocrisy of an Independence Day in a country that still endorsed the bo***ge and forced labor of more than 1 in 8 of its residents.
In July 2020, NPR asked five Douglass descendants to read and respond to excerpts of that speech. They reflected on America’s ongoing pursuit of liberty and justice for all.