Frederick Douglass Speaks on Democracy

Join Frederick Douglass (Nathan M. Richardson, Living History Interpreter) and Rania Assily, Professor of History at Cuyahoga Community College for a conversation about the meaning of American Democracy in the words of former slave turned writer, orator and abolitionist Frederick Douglass.

Hear how Douglass escaped slavery. Learn how his relationships with William Lloyd Garrison, Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman and Presidents Lincoln, Garfield and Grant significantly influenced the suffrage movement, the Antebellum, the Civil War and early Reconstruction. Hear Mr. Douglass explain his evolving views on the US Constitution and American Democracy. Bring your own questions.

This event includes admission to the Cleveland History Center.

Looking for something for the whole family? Don’t miss our bonus performance for children and families on Saturday, February 19!

About the Speakers

Nathan M. Richardson is a published author, performance poet and Frederick Douglass Historian.  His poetry collections include “Likeness of Being”, “Twenty-one Imaginary T-shirts” and “The 7 Last Poems of an Unarmed Citizen.”  His work has been widely re-published in anthologies, magazines and newspapers such as the Channel Marker, The Cupola, Coastal Virginia Magazine and the Washington Post. Nathan is now in the 8th year of The Frederick Douglass Speaking Tour – a living history performance in which he captures completely the physical and spiritual essence of the former slave, writer, orator and abolitionist Frederick Douglass. This living history series has produced film credits with the National Park Service, Alabama Public Television and RTE – Irish Public Service Television. You can find more about Nathan Richardson and his work at www.scpublishing.com.

Cuyahoga Community College assistant professor of history, Rania Assily, has taught college-level history since 2006 including American history, World Civilizations, African American history, the history of the Middle East, and the history of India. She has interviewed John Cooper as Abe Lincoln in the Fall 2020 during the pandemic and has brought numerous speakers to Tri-C’s Westlake campus.