“Emancipation or Preservation: A Discourse between Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln”
America is now in the midst of remembering the 140th anniversary of the ending of the Civil War. One of the most important, but unlikely encounters was between Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States and Frederick Douglass, an escaped slave and abolitionist. The perennial tension between the principle of enslavement and the pragmatism of preserving the Union frames this theatrical account of two Civil War Era icons. Both men were self-made, self-educated and ambitious and each rose to success from humble backgrounds. But Lincoln from his young manhood was a consummate politician devoted to compromise, consensus-building, moderation and indirection. Douglass was a reformer who spoke and wrote eloquently and with passion for the abolition of slavery and for equal rights for African Americans.
The very special theatrical event looks at exactly what might have happened if these two giants had actually met and had the opportunity to debate.
Co-Written by: Useni Eugene Perkins and Runako Jahi
Directed by: Runako Jahi, Artistic Director, eta Creative Arts Foundation
SPONSORED BY THE MOTOROLA FOUNDATION AND JPMORGAN CHASE
Reservations are required for this event. Please call (773) 947-0600 ext 225.