Defending Democracy (It’s Personal!)
Lynn, Massachusetts— In a transformative exploration of ancestry and heritage, Steve Matthews, in partnership with the Grand Army of the Republic Museum and Lynn Museum/LynnArts, will present “Defending Democracy”, the first in a series of restorative justice programs. Matthews revealed in “Finding Mary”, a 10-part series in the Daily Item of Lynn, his discovery that his fore-bearers enslaved African Americans in our country.
The story behind the “Defending Democracy” program is proof of the power of self-discovery with a commitment to confronting the past. Upon learning that his mother was adopted, Matthews embarked on a journey to understand the truth of his unknown heritage. After discovering his family's enslaver past he has channeled his newfound awareness into a positive force for change, reckoning with the implications of his family’s complicated history.
This groundbreaking event will be bringing together scholars of the African-American experience and Social Justice advocates from Essex County to discuss and reflect on the past, the state of our democracy today, and the importance of teaching the truth about our history. The program will occur on Wednesday, October 4th, 2023, at 6 p.m., at the Lynn Memorial Auditorium, 3 City Hall Square in Lynn, MA.
“Defending Democracy” uses three milestone events from the Civil War as talking points for discussion: The Emancipation Proclamation, where Lincoln boldly declared that “all slaves in the Rebellious states shall henceforth and forever be Free”, fundamentally expanding and transforming the character of the war; The Battle of Gettysburg, which is seen as the turning point for Union victory in the war; and The Gettysburg Address, where Lincoln proposed “a New Birth of Freedom” for the country.
The program consists of the following:
Historical Truth-Tellers Panel: Dr. Kabria Baumgartner, author and Associate Professor of History and Africana Studies at Northeastern University, will be in conversation with former Mayor of Beaufort, South Carolina, Billy Keyserling, who lobbied his federal delegation to place the Reconstruction National Park in his historic town. Beaufort was one of the first places Reconstruction took hold, creating schools, distributing land, andbirthing notable African-American politicians. This panel aims to highlight the brave and activist Black youth in Greater Boston during the Civil War period parallel to the Reconstruction efforts in Beaufort.
The panel will emphasize the importance of teaching our history accurately and fully, including where we have succeeded as a country and where we have fallen short, forcibly denying many people full access to our democracy. They will illustrate the great damage to our democracy that is occurring and will continue to occur without widespread intervention by the people of our country to oppose the whitewashing of our history and threats to our dedicated teachers.
Living Historian Interlude: Abraham Lincoln speaks his Gettysburg Address and gives a snapshot of his growth towards Emancipation. He is joined on stage by Frederick Douglass. They reminisce about their discussions at the White House on race and freedom for the enslaved. Douglass then stands alone and gives his opinion on the conflict and his decades-long fight for Abolition.
Democracy Defenders in Action Panel: Dr. Patrick Tutwiler, Secretary of Education under the Healey Administration and former Superintendent of the Lynn Public Schools, will offer reflections on the program and the importance of teaching the truth about history before joining the panel of Social Justice advocates working on solutions in Lynn:
These panelists will discuss their work and initiatives, inviting the audience to join them to do their part in Defending Democracy.
Matthews notes “This event is made possible by the deep connection and respectful relationship between these dedicated community and social justice organizations and the leadership of Doneeca Thurston at the Lynn Museum and Wendy Joseph at the Grand Army of the Republic, which are both treasured repositories of Lynn’s history.”
The Defending Democracy Planning Team
Steve Matthews is a visionary entrepreneur, social advocate, and truth seeker. His journey of self-discovery led him to confront his family's history and transform it into an opportunity for positive change. His commitment to restorative justice inspires all who seek to address historical injustices and foster healing in our communities.
Contact information
sem52754@gmail.com
213-503-1659
Doneeca Thurston is the Executive Director of Lynn Museum/LynnArts, where her role primarily focuses on mission fulfillment, financial management, education and programming, and day-to-day operations, with emphasis on community-centered initiatives, committed to making our spaces more inclusive, accessible, and visible to all.
Contact Information
director@lynnmuseum.org
781-581-6200
Wendy Joseph is the Curator of The Grand Army of the Republic Hall & Museum of Lynn, where she is an artist facilitator who brings people together across diverse sectors to create innovative collaborations. She delights in working behind the scenes to bridge the gap between creative vision and practical implementation.
Contact Information
wjoseph@lynnma.gov
617-680-1707
Defending Democracy Event Details:
Date: October 4, 2023
Time: 6 pm
Venue: Lynn City Hall Memorial Auditorium
3 City Hall Square, Lynn, MA, 01901
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2497016141145900
AdBook & Sponsorship: https://www.patronicity.com/project/defending_democracy_community_program#/giving_levels