May the Words have Power!
"Restore them! I said restore them! Are you listening! I said restore them to their long lost rights!" exclaimed Jaday, of the District, as she was showered with applause, ending her speech, "What is Slavery? The Common Enemy."
The Frederick Douglass historical site has hosted the event for about 20 years.
Abolitionist Douglass's words inspire competing student orators
GalleryStudents from elementary, middle and high schools across the region and New York and New Jersey are participating in an oratorical contest to show off their skills as they recite portions of Frederick Douglass's 19th-century speeches, which often touched on the need for slavery's abolition and self-determination for Northern and Southern blacks.
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Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, December 9, 2010; 10:47 PM
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Call them the Baby Lions of Anacostia.
There was Brayden Wood, 7, dapper in his all-black three piece suit and bow tie, pacing on the stage, reciting the lines of a speech given by the 19th-century abolitionist Frederick Douglass in 1883. Then there was Jaday Myers, 10, gesturing and insisting to her audience that slavery was the "common enemy." Later, Jordane Rhett, 6, commanded the stage with a Douglass passage, her gaze fixed on the crowd.
The three students were taking part Thursday morning in a three-day oratorical contest at the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Anacostia. More than 100 elementary, middle and high school students from across the region and from New York and New Jersey are participating in the event - which ends Saturday - to show off their verbal skills and stage presence while reciting portions of Douglass's speeches.
For years, Douglass, who lived in a mansion overlooking the Anacostia River at what is now W and High streets SE, was known as the Lion of Anacostia. His speeches often touched on the need for slavery's abolition and self-determination for Northern and Southern blacks.
And Thursday morning, the young students tried to re-create Douglass's passion.
"Restore them! I said restore them! Are you listening! I said restore them to their long lost rights!" exclaimed Jaday, of the District, as she was showered with applause, ending her speech, "What is Slavery? The Common Enemy."
The Douglass historical site has hosted the event for about 20 years, extending its reach over time, said Julie Kutruff, the museum's site manager for the National Park Service. This year, she said, students from New Jersey participated for the first time.
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