OLD SAYBROOK/LYME/OLD LYME — The Old Saybrook March for Justice has announced that Professor David W. Blight of Yale University will speak at its Wednesday, Oct. 7 event, in front of the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Art Center in Old Saybrook. His topic will be, “Frederick Douglass in His Times and Ours.”
Dr. Blight is the author of the recent book, Frederick Douglass: A Prophet of Freedom, for which he was awarded a a Pulitzer Prize. He is a teacher, scholar and public historian.
At Yale University, he is Sterling Professor of History and Director of the Gilder Lehrman Center for the Study of Slavery, Resistance, and Abolition.
Dr. Blight’s latest book has garnered nine book awards, including the Pulitzer Prize, the Francis Parkman Prize, the Bancroft Prize, and the Gilder Lehrman Lincoln Prize.
In receiving the Pulitzer Prize, Dr. Blight received these words of praise: “A breathtaking history that demonstrates the scope of Frederick Douglass’ influence through deep research on his writings, his intellectual evolution and his relationships.”
“We are so grateful that Dr. Blight has accepted our invitation to speak. Frederick Douglas is one of the great prophetic voices in our country’s history, comments Rev. David W. Good, Minister Emeritus of the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme and one of the organizers of the Old Saybrook March.
He continues, “Our communities would benefit greatly from remembering the story of one who not only escaped from slavery but tirelessly worked for the liberation of others and should be remembered and celebrated along with such other voices of conscience as Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth and all those who helped to give birth to such Civil Rights leaders as Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis.”
Goood adds, “Now, as our country struggles to overcome segregation and systemic racism in all its ugly manifestations. Dr. Blight’s Pulitzer prize winning book, “Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom” is an extraordinary gift and can help us to be emancipated from the shackles of racism and so help us to become the country we endeavor to be.”
The Old Saybrook March for Justice is comprised of residents living in Old Saybrook, Essex, Old Lyme, Lyme, Deep River and other communities committed to standing up for human rights and justice.
The group is committed to educating itself and the community to be antiracist by creating greater equity through education about history, increasing affordable housing and changing zoning restrictions to be more inclusive and creating greater access to health care.
The site of the march rotates weekly between Old Saybrook, Essex, Lyme/Old Lyme and Deep River. If interested in joining the March or obtaining more information, contact Osbmarch@gmail.com.