DC Reads 2013 Discussion Questions

Have you read the DC Reads title? Check out Frederick Douglass in Washington, D.C.: The Lion of Anacostia.

 

1. What was Douglass’s most significant contribution to Washington, D.C. during his more than two decades as a resident of the city?
2. Why was Frederick Douglass known as the “Lion of Anacostia”?
3. Why was Douglass reluctant to assist in launching a newspaper in Washington? What impact did the involvement of his sons – Lewis & Frederick Jr. – have on his decision to begin the New Era and continue to finance the paper?
4. Why did Douglass have such a short tenure as a member of the Territorial Legislature? Why do you think he accepted the position?
5. Why did Douglass move from Capitol Hill to Anacostia? What is the family lore behind his move? What was Anacostia like back then?
6. What role did Frederick Douglass have as a member of the Board of Trustees of Howard University? Was his service of consequence? In what ways was he an active member of the Board?
7. Why was the appointment of Douglass as Marshal of the District controversial? What objections were raised? What did he do while Marshal? What was his daily routine? What were some of the notable events of his Marshalship?
8. Why is his service as Marshal an ironic footnote of history? (As a fugitive slave and in the wake of John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry Douglass had been pursued by U.S. Marshals!)
9. How did Douglass react to the death of his first wife? How did he meet his first wife? What was their relationship?
10. Who was Douglass’s second wife? How did Douglass meet his second wife? What was their relationship like? Why did their marriage attract attention?
11. Who were some of Douglass’s neighbors in Anacostia that he had relationships with? What sort of neighbor was Douglass?
12. What were some of the ways the Douglasses entertained in Anacostia? What were some of the activities Douglass enjoyed? Did he play a musical instrument?
13. How did Douglass mentor the younger generation of activists? Who were these activists?
14. What churches did Douglass attend in Anacostia and across the city?
15. Who was Frederick Douglass as a grandfather ? Who was Joseph Douglass?
16. Who were some of Douglass’s friends in Washington? What was the extent of their friendship?
17. How did Douglass earn his money? How did he spend and invest his money?
18. What is the legacy of Douglass in Washington today?
19. Why did Douglass decline invitations and suggestions to pursue a seat in the United States Senate?
20. What are some of the new books expected out about Douglass?

For more information on the 2013 DC Reads visit —> http://www.dclibrary.org/dcreads

Upcoming walking tour of Frederick Douglass’s Anacostia with Politics & Prose

Photo by DaJonna Richardson.

Do you want to take a walking tour off the beaten path? Do you want to get off the Mall? Do you want to discover Historic Anacostia and the life and times of Frederick Douglass, the neighborhood’s most famous resident?

A few places remain for a tour coordinated with Politics & Prose on Saturday, November 2nd at 1pm. Cost includes a copy of Frederick Douglass in Washington, D.C.: The Lion of Anacostia, a Ranger-led tour of the Douglass home, and a walking tour of the neighborhood. More information here —> http://www.politics-prose.com/trips/frederick-douglass-walking-tour

 

DC Public Library announces citywide events for 2013 DC Reads!

For a full listing of the more than 20 events across the city go HERE! 

Thursday, October 10, 2013 – 11am

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (901 G Street NW, Adaptive Services, Room 215)

Talking Book Club

Thursday, October 17, 2013 – 6pm

Northwest One Library (155 L Street NW, 202.939.5946)

DC Reads Book Discussion

Sunday, October 20, 2013 – 3pm

Cleveland Park Library (3310 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202.282.3080)

DC Reads Book Discussion

Monday, October 21, 2013 – 5pm

Juanita E. Thornton / Shepherd Park Library (7420 Georgia Ave. NW, 202.541.6100)

Reading & Basketball (Frederick Douglass Edition) – For teens 12 to 19

Monday, October 21, 2013 – 6pm

Southwest Library (900 Wesley Place SW, 202.724.4752)

DC Reads Books Discussion

Wednesday, October 23, 2013 – 6pm

Woodridge Library (1801 Hamlin Street NE, 202.541.6226)

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

This year’s DC Reads book focuses on the famous abolitionist Frederick Douglass’ time in Washington, D.C. During his life, Frederick Douglass created several anti-slavery newspapers to get his message across. Join us as we take everyday events that happen in our own lives (and a spice of creativity) to write a fictional newspaper article.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013 – 6:30pm

Francis A. Gregory Library (3660 Alabama Ave. SE, 202.698.6373)

DC Reads Book Discussion

Friday, October 25, 2013 – 1pm

Anacostia Library (1800 Good Hope Road SE, 202.715.7707 / 7708)

DC Reads Books Discussion

Saturday, October 26, 2013 – 1pm

Southwest Library (900 Wesley Place SW, 202.724.4752)

DC Reads Books Discussion

Tuesday, October 29, 2013 – 6pm

Bellevue Library (115 Atlantic Street SW, 202.243.1185)

DC Reads Historical Information Session

Enjoy a DC Reads historical information session about Frederick Douglass. Watch a Frederick Douglass documentary, followed by a discussion of several books that showcase his role in the Civil War, his activities in the Anacostia area and various issues such as race relations, civil rights and slavery.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013 – 7pm

Southeast Library (403 7th Street SE, 202.698.3377)

DC Reads Book Discussion 

Monday, November 4, 2013 – 12 pm (noon)

Bellevue Library (115 Atlantic Street SW, 202.243.1185)

DC Reads Book Discussion with High Noon Book Club

Monday, November 4, 2013 – 6:30pm

Francis A. Gregory Library (3660 Alabama Ave. SE, 202.698.6373)

DC Reads: Teen Scavenger Hunt (Ages 13 – 18)

Tuesday, November 5, 2013 – 7pm

Bellevue Library (115 Atlantic Street SW, 202.243.1185)

DC Reads Book Discussion

Wednesday, November 6, 2013 – 2pm

Palisades Library (4901 V Street NW, 202.282.3139)

DC Reads Book Discussion

Wednesday, November 6, 2013 – 7pm

Riverby Books (417 East Capitol Street SE, 202.543.4342) in partnership with the Southeast Library.

DC Reads Book Discussion

Wednesday, November 6, 2013 – 7pm

Georgetown Library (3260 R Street NW, 202.727.0232)

DC Reads Book Discussion

Thursday, November 7, 2013 – 5pm

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (Teen Space, 2nd floor)

Douglass Virtual Museum Tour

As part of the month-long DC Reads program, MLK Teen Space will hosting a tour of the Anacostia’s virtual museum on the famous abolitionist Frederick Douglass. We will also be exploring Heritage Quest so that teen patrons can learn how to research their family history.
Ages 13-19.

Saturday, November 9, 2013 – 3pm

Takoma Park Library (416 Cedar Street NW, 202.576.7252)

DC Reads Book Discussion

Tuesday, November 12, 2013 – 1pm

Chevy Chase Library (5625 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202.282.0021)

DC Reads Book Discussion

Tuesday, November 12, 2013 – 3:30pm

Bellevue Library (115 Atlantic Street SW, 202.243.1185

Trivia Time: History of Frederick Douglass 

Enjoy a PowerPoint slide show of Frederick Douglass’ Life, followed by a fun trivia questionnaire for participants.