No Struggle, No Progress

“Let me give you a word of the philosophy of reform. The whole history of the progress of human liberty shows that all concessions yet made to her august claims have been born of earnest struggle. The conflict has been exciting, agitating, all-absorbing, and for the time being, putting all other tumults to silence. It must do this or it does nothing. If there is no struggle there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom and yet deprecate agitation are men who want crops without plowing up the ground; they want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters.” — Frederick Douglass, August 3, 1857, Canandaigua, NY

2018 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Frederick Douglass. He lived and worked in Rochester, New York from 1847 to 1872 and published his newspaper, The North Star. . Many identify those years as some of the most treasured and dynamic years in the life of the great orator, author, and freedom fighter.

To celebrate, honor, and recognize the life and legacy of this visionary, a production, No Struggle, No Progress will be presented at Sonnenberg Gardens, from 2-4 pm on Sunday, May 20. Reception to follow performance.

This multimedia production includes visual images, dance, music, and the words of Frederick Douglass and fellow freedom fighters and will feature the North Star Players, directed by David A. Shakes, and Thomas Warfield, dancer. Event is free and open to public with paid park admission of the special discounted price of $7. Co-sponsored by Sonnenberg Gardens and the 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse, with support from Humanities NY.