Joined by local organizations, town officials and scores of spectators on Saturday, September 24, 2022, the marching bands of Easton High, Easton Middle School and Cambridge South Dorchester High made their way from Moton Park, up Glenwood Ave. and down Washington St. to join fellow citizens in the celebration of Frederick Douglass Day at the Talbot County Courthouse.
Mistress of Ceremonies, Autumn Redman, an accomplished 11th-grader at Easton High, introduced the Reverend Nancy Dennis of St. Stephens African American Episcopal Church. Her invocation was followed by the presentation of colors by Easton High School NJROTC and the pledge of allegiance led by BAAM. Music was provided by the bands, and tenor John Wesley Wright would be accompanied by guitarist Dr. Danielle Cumming.
Brenda Wooden, President, Frederick Douglass Society, delivered a warm welcome to award-winning poet and author Joy Priest of Houston, Texas; and her inspiring words were followed by reminders from Easton Mayor Robert Willey of public and private projects undertaken in the name of our native son, Frederick Douglass. Corey Pack, Talbot County Councilman for 15 years and current member of the Frederick Douglass Society Board, paid tribute to both Douglass and past FDS President Eric Lowery.
Sharon Pepukayi, Ed.D., a Talbot County native who recently returned to the Eastern Shore to become Superintendent of Talbot County Public Schools, looked forward to “a great day of success at TCPS.”
Dana Newman, Director of the Talbot County Free Library, celebrated contributions to the community, but also noted that Frederick Douglass’s autobiography is among the hundreds of books now targeted for censorship and suggested, “Books reach across borders. Censorship creates barriers.”
Frederick Douglass was a gifted orator and statesman. Lance Morris of Easton Economic Development Corporation shared a speech delivered at Union Square on Memorial Day in 1878. Those words seemed to reflect the division we are experiencing today – and reinforce the possibility of learning from history. Here are just a few of those words:
“Fellow citizens, I am not here to fan the flame of sectional animosity, to revive old issues, or to stir up strife between races; but no candid man, looking at the political situation of the hour, can fail to see that we are still afflicted by the painful sequences both of slavery and of the late rebellion. In the spirit of the noble man whose image now looks down upon us (Ulysses S. Grant), we should have ‘charity toward all, and malice towards none.’ In the language of our greatest soldier, twice honored with the presidency of our nation, ‘Let us have peace.’ Yes, let us have peace, but let us have liberty, law, and justice first.”
Distinguished Professor Robert Levine, instructor at the University of Maryland, College Park and author of “The Failed Promise, Reconstruction, Frederick Douglass, and the Impeachment of Andrew Johnson,” shared Douglass’s struggle over the rights of African Americans following the Civil War and was available for book signing that afternoon.
Jeff McGuiness, avid boater and photographer living in St. Michaels and author of “Bear Me Into Freedom, The Talbot County of Frederick Douglass,” was also available for book signing.
Charlene DeShields served as mistress of ceremonies for the afternoon’s events. Live entertainment was provided by Sara Chappel, North Meets South, the Young Violinists, Lane Morgan, Javion Jones, Easton Elementary Hispanic Dancers, Village Academy Scholars Dancers, and DJ Alan Butler. Maps for exploring the new Frederick Douglass Geocaching Trail were also available.
Debbi Dodson says
Thank you so much for the great article.
Brenda Wooden says
Wonderful article! Thank you.
Vickie Wilson, FDHS Board Member says
Thanks for your great coverage of this event .