A Conversation with Frederick Douglass

February 12-Centre College began the last leg of its "Year of Lincoln", celebrating the 200^th anniversary of the icon's birth, by launching a series of four symposia. The first, "A Conversation with Frederick Douglass", highlighted the connection between these two historic figures.

While waiting for the symposium to open, the local Baptist choir, or the black, male counterparts of it at least, regaled the crowd with lively, upbeat religious music, the kind one would imagine the slaves sung on the plantations. It set the perfect mood for a delve into history.

Jonathan Pace, playing a rather convincing Douglass, then launched into a 45 minute monologue explaining the life and times of Douglass (in the first person, of course!). Among the stories chosen to both enlighten and regale the crowd were Douglass's struggle as a slave, his rise to a free man through the underground railroad, and his emergence into politics. Pace further described with passion how Douglass first held an audience with the president, the words that were exchanged, and how, though not all his demands had been met, Douglass walked away with a profound respect for President Lincoln. The show was filled not only with recounts of pertinent happenings in Douglass's life, but also with the occasional rich speech that he had given during his life, melded together beautifully to flow into a complete view of this intriguing historical figure.

So as not to make the entire thing a monologue, Pace opened the floor to those who had questions for Douglass. Rick Axtell, Centre's college chaplain and associate professor of religion, led with, "I know it's hard to project yourself into the 21^st century, but do you think it's possible for America to have a black president?" After a brief chuckle and round of applause from the audience, Pace promptly replied that once-of if-blacks get the right to vote then sure, he can see America having a black president-but that right to vote is an important stepping stone to getting there.

Following the brief question and answer session, the convocation was adjourned to have cake with Douglass and Lincoln and all the students were invited.

This was only the first in a chain of planned events to celebrate this special event. Other events to follow include: tours of Perryville Battlefield State Historic Park, tours of the historic African American community of Sleettown, tours of the home of abolitionist James Gillespie Birney and Camp Nelson Civil War Heritage Park, and a panel discussion with noted African American scholars.