Students Revive Frederick Douglass' Powerful Forgotten Address in a New Film
The voices of the past echo strongly in the present, illustrating the enduring relevance of history. A recently produced short film by students at Western Reserve Academy (WRA) in Hudson, Ohio, powerfully exemplifies this engagement with history as they breathe life into Frederick Douglass' long-forgotten commencement address delivered in 1854. Titled Just and Perfect, the film not only revives a significant chapter of their school’s history but also serves as a crucial reminder of Douglass' profound impact on the fight for human rights and abolition.
In the summer of 1854, amidst a gathering of approximately 3,000 individuals, Douglass delivered his speech entitled ‘The Claims of the Negro Ethnologically Considered’—a groundbreaking commentary that confronted pseudoscientific racism gaining traction at that time. Fast forward nearly 170 years, and a devoted team of high school students have taken it upon themselves to resurrect this significant oration on the same grounds where it was originally delivered. They collaborated with Dr. David Blight, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and author, to contextualize and articulate the speech’s relevance today.
Suzanne Walker Buck, the Head of School at WRA, reflected on the project, noting, "We didn’t want to just retell this story; we wanted to confront it and reflect on Douglass’ words’ resonance today." The film is designed not only to revisit Douglass’ message but also to delve into the implications of who gets to speak—and why that matters. The film’s narrative is augmented by the insights of Dr. Menna Demessie, a political scholar, who serves as the narrator, while Dr. Blight contributes his expert commentary.
The heart of Just and Perfect rests in the performances of four student actors who interpreted and reimagined Douglass’ historic rhetoric within the confines of the school’s transformed black box theater. Through this experience, the students engaged deeply with the material, examining its metaphorical weight and implications, breathing new life into Douglass’ words on camera.
Just and Perfect is not merely about honoring Douglass' legacy; it also aims to inspire a wave of student-centered storytelling across educational institutions in the country. As CeCe Payne, the film’s writer and producer, expressed, "We wanted our students to experience what it means to be stewards of history. Their involvement is shaped by a desire to make meaning of this history and recognize their role in preserving and articulating the truth."
Having entered the national distribution phase, the film now seeks partnerships for screenings and educational initiatives, gaining early recognition at the 16th Annual Chagrin Documentary Film Festival. The project is part of WRA's broader effort to commemorate Douglass' visit and has led to the installation of a permanent historical marker on school grounds.
WRA, a premier coeducational boarding and day school for grades 9-12, prides itself not only on academic excellence but also on its commitment to diversity and social equity. Founded in 1826, the institution is gearing up for its Bicentennial celebrations in 2026, and the students' commitment to honoring Douglass’ legacy exemplifies the school’s ethos. With accolades from Niche, citing WRA as the #1 College Prep High School in Ohio, the institution continues to build on foundations laid by its predecessors, seeking to empower a new generation of leaders.
As the short film makes its way into classrooms and public forums, it is a poignant reminder of the historical narratives that shape our present and the power of student activism to influence the future.
In the summer of 1854, amidst a gathering of approximately 3,000 individuals, Douglass delivered his speech entitled ‘The Claims of the Negro Ethnologically Considered’—a groundbreaking commentary that confronted pseudoscientific racism gaining traction at that time. Fast forward nearly 170 years, and a devoted team of high school students have taken it upon themselves to resurrect this significant oration on the same grounds where it was originally delivered. They collaborated with Dr. David Blight, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and author, to contextualize and articulate the speech’s relevance today.
Suzanne Walker Buck, the Head of School at WRA, reflected on the project, noting, "We didn’t want to just retell this story; we wanted to confront it and reflect on Douglass’ words’ resonance today." The film is designed not only to revisit Douglass’ message but also to delve into the implications of who gets to speak—and why that matters. The film’s narrative is augmented by the insights of Dr. Menna Demessie, a political scholar, who serves as the narrator, while Dr. Blight contributes his expert commentary.
The heart of Just and Perfect rests in the performances of four student actors who interpreted and reimagined Douglass’ historic rhetoric within the confines of the school’s transformed black box theater. Through this experience, the students engaged deeply with the material, examining its metaphorical weight and implications, breathing new life into Douglass’ words on camera.
Just and Perfect is not merely about honoring Douglass' legacy; it also aims to inspire a wave of student-centered storytelling across educational institutions in the country. As CeCe Payne, the film’s writer and producer, expressed, "We wanted our students to experience what it means to be stewards of history. Their involvement is shaped by a desire to make meaning of this history and recognize their role in preserving and articulating the truth."
Having entered the national distribution phase, the film now seeks partnerships for screenings and educational initiatives, gaining early recognition at the 16th Annual Chagrin Documentary Film Festival. The project is part of WRA's broader effort to commemorate Douglass' visit and has led to the installation of a permanent historical marker on school grounds.
WRA, a premier coeducational boarding and day school for grades 9-12, prides itself not only on academic excellence but also on its commitment to diversity and social equity. Founded in 1826, the institution is gearing up for its Bicentennial celebrations in 2026, and the students' commitment to honoring Douglass’ legacy exemplifies the school’s ethos. With accolades from Niche, citing WRA as the #1 College Prep High School in Ohio, the institution continues to build on foundations laid by its predecessors, seeking to empower a new generation of leaders.
As the short film makes its way into classrooms and public forums, it is a poignant reminder of the historical narratives that shape our present and the power of student activism to influence the future.
Topics Entertainment & Media）
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