Raven
Friday, February 8th, 2008, 10:05 PM
(Rochester, N.Y.) - Hundreds of students watched a reenactment of several of Rochester's prominent African American ancestors Friday.
Civil rights activist Fredrick Douglass and his wife Anna were among those brought to life on the stage.
Fifth grader Asia James' attention was captured by Anna Douglass.
Asia said, "She said, ‘How many times did you feel you were forgotten and left out, and nobody cared about you,’ and she thought how she felt and let everyone know about it."
There was also the portrayal of Austin Steward, a former slave who became a successful business owner in the 1800s. Steward opened a two-story grocery store in 1817 on the site that is now the Clarion Hotel on Main Street.
What is now McQuaid High School was once the site of the Dorsey Home for Homeless Colored Children.
Mary Jackson was raised there. The actress hopes she sent a message to the students. “I hope they learn not to tease people, even if people are different.”
Little Asia said she left with more than just a history lesson. She learned about "changing the world making it right and...making people [to] like me - just because I'm me."
Like her ancestors, the fifth grader hopes she will someday leave her mark on history.
Source (http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=e6af0b61-905d-4396-bb53-839bc9b684cc)
Civil rights activist Fredrick Douglass and his wife Anna were among those brought to life on the stage.
Fifth grader Asia James' attention was captured by Anna Douglass.
Asia said, "She said, ‘How many times did you feel you were forgotten and left out, and nobody cared about you,’ and she thought how she felt and let everyone know about it."
There was also the portrayal of Austin Steward, a former slave who became a successful business owner in the 1800s. Steward opened a two-story grocery store in 1817 on the site that is now the Clarion Hotel on Main Street.
What is now McQuaid High School was once the site of the Dorsey Home for Homeless Colored Children.
Mary Jackson was raised there. The actress hopes she sent a message to the students. “I hope they learn not to tease people, even if people are different.”
Little Asia said she left with more than just a history lesson. She learned about "changing the world making it right and...making people [to] like me - just because I'm me."
Like her ancestors, the fifth grader hopes she will someday leave her mark on history.
Source (http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=e6af0b61-905d-4396-bb53-839bc9b684cc)