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Scenes from the 16th annual Douglass reading on the Boston Common

Poet Laureate Regie O'Hare Gibson.
  • BY
  • MassHumanities
  • Date
  • June 28, 2025
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The 16th annual reading of “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” took place on the Boston Common on Friday, June 27. Everyone from city residents and National Park Service rangers to elected officials and poets gathered to read the famous speech by Frederick Douglass. As in years past, the reading took place at the foot of the Robert Gould Shaw and Massachusetts 54th Regiment Memorial.

Thank you to our co-hosts Museum of African American History – Boston and Nantucket and Community Change for making the event a success. Thank you to State Senator Lydia Edwards for joining us. Thank you to Massachusetts Poet Laureate Regie O’Hare Gibson and poet & professor January Gill O’Neil for your dynamic readings and for bringing Douglass’ words to life for everyone in attendance.

Poet January Gill O'Neil
Poet January Gill O’Neil reads from “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”

 

Poet Laureate Regie O'Hare Gibson.
Poet Laureate Regie O’Hare Gibson.

 

Photo of a woman attending the Douglass reading on the Boston Common.
The Boston Common reading of Douglass is now in its 16th year.

 

A woman plays a drum.
Pre-event music. Participants were encouraged to pick up instruments and join in traditional African songs.

 

Shay Stewart-Bouley, executive director of Community Change (left) and State Senator Lydia Edwards (right)
Shay Stewart-Bouley, executive director of Community Change (left) and State Senator Lydia Edwards (right).

 

A woman reading in front of a microphone.
Local residents had the opportunity to read excerpts from “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”

 

A crowd on the Boston Common.
A hush fell over the crowd as Douglass’ words were read.

 

Photo of January O'Neil and Regie O'Hare Gibson.
Poet and professor January Gill O’Neil (left) and Massachusetts Poet Laureate Regie O’Hare Gibson (right).

 

Photo of January O'Neil and Regie O'Hare Gibson.
Poets January O’Neil and Regie Gibson alternate reading sections of Douglass’ speech.

 

Photo of the Boston Common reading of Douglass, with the Massachusetts State House visible in the background.
Since 2009, Mass Humanities has co-hosted the Douglass reading on the Common at the foot of the Robert Gould Shaw and Massachusetts 54th Regiment Memorial, directly across the street from the Massachusetts State House.

 

Photo of a crowd gathered at the foot of the Robert Gould Shaw and Massachusetts 54th Regiment Memorial.
Approximately 50 people attended this year’s reading on the Common.

 

Latoya Bosworth.
Dr. Latoya Bosworth, program officer at Mass Humanities. Dr. Bosworth manages the Reading Frederick Douglass Together program.

 

Two women shake hands.
New connections made on the Common.

 

Two people read "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?"
Participants read “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”

 

Brian Boyles speaks with members of National Parks of Boston.
Brian Boyles, executive director of Mass Humanites, speaks with members of National Parks of Boston.

 

Crowd at the Boston Common reading of Douglass.
Participants listen to speakers read “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”

 

(L-R) Sage Morgan-Hubbard of the Museum of African American History | Boston and Nantucket; Brian Boyles of Mass Humanities; Shay Stewart-Bouley, executive director of Community Change; Massachusetts Poet Laureate Regie Gibson; Paula Elliot, longtime organizer of readings on the Common; poet January Gill O'Neill; and Latoya Bosworth of Mass Humanities.
(L-R) Sage Morgan-Hubbard of the Museum of African American History | Boston and Nantucket; Brian Boyles of Mass Humanities; Shay Stewart-Bouley, executive director of Community Change; Massachusetts Poet Laureate Regie Gibson; Paula Elliot, longtime organizer of readings on the Common; poet January Gill O’Neill; and Latoya Bosworth of Mass Humanities.

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