Historically ignorant – or uncaring – protesters toppled a statue of former slave and famed black abolitionist Frederick Douglass and tried to toss it over the side of a gorge – on the eve of the 168th anniversary of Douglass’ speech decrying slavery.
Because nothing says “equality” quite like destroying a landmark dedicated to one of the first and most famous advocates for equal rights.
Local reports say the statue was ripped from its base in Maplewood Park in Rochester, N.Y., and was found about 50 feet away leaning against the fence near the gorge. Maplewood Park is home to Kelsey’s Landing, the historical place where Douglass, along with fellow abolitionist Harriet Tubman, helped freed slaves escape north through the Underground Railroad.
Ironically, the monument to Douglass – who, I’m assuming, these protesters couldn’t pick out of a historical lineup of prominent Civil War-era figures – was destroyed on the anniversary of his famed July 4 speech, in which he condemned slavery and pointed out his generation’s gross hypocrisy of celebrating one’s freedom while keeping an entire segment of the population in chains.