The Island community is invited to honor the legacy of Frederick Douglass by participating in a public reading of his iconic 1852 address, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?”.
Originally delivered on July 5, 1852, in Rochester, New York, the speech remains a poignant and resonant critique of American liberty and hypocrisy. By gathering at the Tabernacle, the island community continues a cherished tradition of civic reflection, dialogue, and historical remembrance.
This powerful tradition, which has drawn crowds to the island for over two decades, offers community members, summer visitors, and readers of all ages the opportunity to come together and bring Douglass’s profound words to life. Each volunteer reader recites a different section of the 10,000-plus word address.
Free. July 4th, live music beginning at noon and the reading begins at 1 pm. (Volunteer readers are encouraged to arrive early to sign up). The Tabernacle, 80 Trinity Park, Oak Bluffs.