Hamilton Star Delivers Frederick Douglass Speech

By Jennifer L. Warren

POUGHKEEPSIE – “Words have meaning, and some really need to be heard.”

City of Poughkeepsie Mayor, Rob Rolison, affirmed this sentiment to an exhilarated crowd at Poughkeepsie’s College Hill Park Sunday afternoon. The words Rolison was referring to were the emotionally-charged, historically rich and deeply relevant ones recited by Broadway performer, Hamilton musical star, Paul Oakley Stovall. They were the very words that were part of the historic Emancipation Day Speech that was originally delivered by the internationally recognized abolitionist and leader Frederick Douglass. Not only were the words themselves resounding for their raw emotional punch, but so too was the location at which they were relayed.

Just as Douglass had given the speech, which centered upon the end of slavery in the Britain Empire and all its malicious overtures, in front of 4000 people at Poughkeepsie’s College Hill Park on August 2, 1858, so too Oakley Stovall returned to almost that exact location 163 years later, almost to the exact day, to perform segments of that same address underneath the pavilion at the top of the historic Park. The event, sponsored by the City of Poughkeepsie (Yvonne Flowers, 5th Ward Councilwoman) and Helen Forster Noug 1928 Fund at Vassar College, drew an impressive sized crowd, enduring an initial 10-15 minute, intense rain interlude, was treated to a musical performance from Souls United of Hudson Valley, who set the tone for Oakley Stovall’s performance.

“As we are gathered here today, we want to remember we are one people, united,” said a member of Souls United just prior to Oakley Stovall taking the stage.

Referencing slavery as “a great corrupter of men,” “a seducer of people,” as well as something that can “bewitch us,” Douglass’ speech further delineated slavery as “an experiment by which men wish to live without labor,” gaining power. Those listening in to Oakley Stovall’s performance, which was peppered with musical scores as well as lines from the famous speech, further learned that Douglass was the most photographed man of the 19th Century. Ironically, he never once smiled, not wanting to be perceived as “the happy slave.” We were all reminded about both the overt as well as covert, deep-seeded pains that accompanied slavery.

However, at the same time, pieces of hope for a better tomorrow permeated the latter part of the words Oakley Stovall delivered with conviction and were met with resounding applause by all those in attendance.

“Liberty from slavery must become the law of the land,” exclaimed Oakley Stovall, taking on Douglass’ persona. “The truth will prevail, although you and I might never see that day.”
Following the performance, after August 2 was officially declared Frederick Douglass Day in the City of Poughkeepsie, Oakley Stovall, speaking as himself, related the still very timely messages embedded in Douglass’ timeless Speech.

“Frederick is here listening today,” said Oakley Stovall. “The work still very much has to be done; I’m a pragmatist, and know we have to get to work.”

The inspiration for that work appeared to have been ignited Sunday.

“There are things in your life that stand out, and hearing this performance is one of them I will never forget,” said a deeply touched Rolison. “I’m always taken aback whenever I come back here, as no other park in the region has the meaning that College Hill Park does, and now it has reached an even higher height today.”