January 24th, 2013: Frederick Douglass and Ireland Conference St. John Fisher College to Host Frederick Douglass and Ireland Conference on February 22nd, 2013.

The Irish Studies program at St. John Fisher College’s Annual Conference will take place on Friday, February 22nd, 2013. This year’s conference title is “Frederick Douglass and Ireland: The Irish Influence on America’s Greatest Abolitionist and its Continuing Relevance.”

All are welcome to attend the free conference. The full schedule is as follows:

Welcome/Refreshments: 8:30-8:55 a.m.

“The Young Frederick Douglass: From Slavery to Freedom” – 9:05-10:00 a.m.

Dr. Richard DeJesús-Rueff, Vice President for Student Affairs and Diversity Initiatives, St. John Fisher College; Yantee Slobert, Director of Multicultural Affairs, St. John Fisher College; Dr. Timothy Madigan, Director, Irish Studies Program and Associate Professor of Philosophy, St. John Fisher College

“Douglass, Ireland, and the Great Famine” – 10:10-11:05 a.m.

Ann Coughlan, Ph.D. Candidate in English, University College, Cork, Ireland; Dr. Patricia Ferreira, Professor of English, Norwich University

“Douglass and Rochester” – 11:15 a.m. – 12:10 p.m.

Dr. Carolyn Vacca, Associate Professor of History, St. John Fisher College, and Monroe County Historian; Melissa Jadlos, Director, Lavery Library, St. John Fisher College

Lunch Break: 12:10-1:25 p.m.

“The Civil War, Draft Riots, and Women’s Suffrage” – 1:25-2:20 p.m.

Dr. David Baronov, Professor and Chair of Sociology, St. John Fisher College; Dr. Leigh Fought, Assistant Professor of History, Le Moyne College

“Douglass and Ireland: Lessons to be Learned” – 2:30-3:25 p.m.

Excerpts from Douglass’ speeches will be recited by students from School No. 12’s Frederick Douglass Club. David Anderson, Community Scholar in Residence at Nazareth College and Douglass impersonator, will interact with the audience.

“The Continuing Relevance of Douglass and Ireland” – 3:35-4:30 p.m.

An open discussion with presenters and attendees.

Break: 4:30-5:00 p.m.

“Frederick Douglass and the White Negro” – Film – 5:00-6:00 p.m.

A showing of the 2008 Irish documentary film, which follows Douglass’ life from slavery as a young man through to his time in Ireland where he befriended Daniel O’Connell, and toured the country spreading the message of abolition. The film examines the turbulent relationships between African Americans and Irish Americans during the Civil War, what drew them together, what drove them apart, and how this would shape the American of the 20th century and beyond.

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To download a promotional flier, please click here.