In Anacostia, Frederick Douglass’s legacy lives on

On a Saturday afternoon, the sound of violins and a man’s voice echoes throughout a discreet renovated warehouse filled with families and vendors in Anacostia. The man, dressed in traditional African clothing, is Christopher London, and the crowd before him is gathered to celebrate the birthday of Frederick Douglass. London is a chairman for Economic Empowerment for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in Washington, D.C. London’s performance tells the story of a Griot who are African story tellers that London said, “tell the story of the past of a people.”

“The reason why I’m here is because I want to share the idea that we’re community,” London said. “To share the songs of our past, which are American songs, and share the hope that those songs brought.”

London said that like the Griot role he takes on in his performance, Douglass shows what can happen through truth telling. Douglass, “knows how to walk with kings, but keep the common touch, and he was able to do that and speak truth to power,” London said.

Above: violinists play at the Frederick Douglass birthday celebration

The Frederick Douglass Memorial and Historical Association and National Park Service hosted the event in Anacostia, the historical Southeast neighborhood where Douglass once lived. The annual birthday celebration had been moved from Douglass’s home, Cedar Hill, which is set to reopen following renovations in Spring 2023.

Tara Morrison heads the event as Superintendent of National Capital Parks-East of the U.S. National Park Service. Before becoming involved in 2017, Morrison said she attended Douglass’s birthday event annually. “Even though he [Douglass] is one of the more well-known African-American heroes, there are so many layers to him,” Morrison said. “And the beauty of it is… all the opportunities that we have through the event, like with all the young people here today to really expose people to his life and legacy.”

Morrison said that Douglass’ legacy is as important today as ever.

“We know that we’re still dealing with a lot of issues of justice and freedom. And so, if we can use Frederick Douglass…and all her did to bolster me to do the work that we all need to do today to fight injustice,” Morrison said.

Sylvia Quinton is the president of the Frederick Douglass Memorial and Historical Association and said that what keeps her motivated in organizing events such as Douglass’s birthday celebration is Douglass’s own work ethic.

“When you read Frederick Douglass, he didn’t stop after slavery ended. He said, ‘well, what do I do next?’” Quinton said. “There is much more work to be done and you never stop. There is no rest for the weary.”

Quinton’s mentor and former president of the Frederick Douglass Memorial and Historical Association Vivian Smith said that each president has aimed to uplift the legacy of Frederick Douglass through their position.

“Each presidential term has been motivated by what can we do next?” Smith said. “When I left, somebody else came along and said, ‘Okay, what’s the next thing we can do to elevate Mr. Douglass?’”

Owner of local fragrance brand NJUDAWN Nina Green was among the venders at the celebration. Green said that Frederick Douglass was a memorable part of her childhood living in Washington, D.C. “Growing up in the area, that was one of the first museums I ever attended as a kid,” Green said.

To Green and others, Douglass represented their community of Anacostia. “Southeast has always been an underserved community, and to have that monument and that legacy there and even to be able to see it as you’re traveling on the highway,” Green said. “I always look for his home.”