West Chester University: 25th+ Anniversary Of Frederick Douglass Institute To Be Celebrated On February 23

West Chester PA

19 February, 2022

10:16 AM

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Press release from West Chester University: February 18, 2022 The Failed Promise: Frederick Douglass, Reconstruction, and the Impeachment of Andrew Johnson The Failed Promise has been applauded by numerous scholars, including Henry Louis Gates, Jr., author of Stony the Road: Reconstruction, White Supremacy, and the Rise of Jim Crow. According to Gates, "In this engrossing new book, Robert S. Levine has penned a nuanced and detailed study of the 'hopes and frustrations of Reconstruction' during Andrew Johnson's presidency. While focusing on the relationship between Johnson and Frederick Douglass, the author also includes the views of numerous African American writers who witnessed Johnson's transformation from self-styled 'Moses to Black People' to betrayer of Reconstruction. The Failed Promise is a lesson for our times as we continue to confront our nation's unfulfilled promise of racial equality." The Failed Promise Stony the Road: Reconstruction, White Supremacy, and the Rise of Jim Crow The Failed Promise Levine's visit is particularly relevant to the Institute's 25th+ anniversary celebration as West Chester University's relationship with Frederick Douglass is quite personal. On February 1, 1895, just days before his death, Frederick Douglass delivered his last public lecture on the University's campus. A statue of Douglass, which was erected in 2006 by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, is featured in the University's Academic Quad and commemorates his last public lecture. "West Chester University is especially proud of the ongoing work of the Frederick Douglass Institute and its efforts to provide compelling programming that deepens multicultural studies throughout our University," said West Chester University President Chris Fiorentino. "We are deeply honored to have Professor Levine with us to celebrate the Institute's historical importance to this University and to the Chester County community. As we pay tribute to the ideals that Frederick Douglass outlined so eloquently, I would hope that he would be proud of West Chester University as it continues to raise its hand high to act as a catalyst for U.S. social change and for its eagerness to increase cultural competency at a time when much work remains."     About the Frederick Douglass Institute at West Chester University The Frederick Douglass Institute is an educational and cultural resource for advancing multicultural studies across the curriculum and for deepening the intellectual heritage of Frederick Douglass, the former slave, distinguished orator, journalist, author, and statesman. The mission of the Frederick Douglass Institute at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (FDI) is to maintain the legacy of Frederick Douglass before the campus community, local community, region, and the nation. Douglass' legacy is sustained through the highest quality of academic programming that promotes excellence in scholarship, teaching and institutional advancement. Guided and inspired by the spirit of Douglass, the Institute aims to create opportunities to build a better community for all to fulfill our destiny as human beings.   Through the leadership of WCU, there are Frederick Douglass Institutes at all 14 campuses of Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education; collectively, the Frederick Douglass Institutes are known as the FDI Collaborative. For more information, please see the following link: https://www.wcupa.edu/_academics/fdouglass/ This press release was produced by West Chester University. The views expressed here are the author's own.