For almost a century, a 10,000-pound statue of Robert E. Lee towered over Charlottesville. That statue has now been melted down into bronze plates, and a new memorial has emerged in the same city.

This new memorial, located on the University of Virginia (UVA) campus, is called the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers. It serves as a counterpoint to Confederate symbols, honoring the enslaved individuals who labored at the university in the 1800s as tradespeople like carpenters, blacksmiths, roofers, and stone carvers.

The UVA President’s Commission on Slavery states, “All these men, women, and children lived with dignity, resisted oppression, and yearned for freedom. For over 40 years, the University was a place of enslavement. Now, we’re addressing our past, uncovering new insights, and applying that knowledge to educate, heal, and shape the future.”

This symbolic shift is occurring in many places across the United States, as communities from Alabama to Alaska reevaluate their historical figures and legacy. This has led to the establishment of new memorials and the renaming of historical sites to honor individuals who would have previously been overlooked or deemed unworthy of recognition.

Brent Leggs, the executive director of the African American Cultural Heritage Fund, expressed enthusiasm: “It’s heartening to see local visionaries recognized for their contributions to the community,” speaking about the memorial of Sojourner Truth in Akron, Ohio.

Born into slavery, Truth became a prominent abolitionist and advocate for African-American rights in the 19th century. Besides the memorial in Akron, she is also the first African American woman to have her own statue in the U.S. Capitol.

Since the surge of support for removing Confederate monuments following George Floyd’s murder in May 2020, both historians and the families of notable Black figures are now establishing permanent tributes to their legacies, marking a change in whom society chooses to honor.

Monuments dedicated to the first Black politicians, veterans, and other Black pioneers are emerging nationwide. Notable statues are now proudly displayed in states like Wisconsin, Virginia, Mississippi, and Oregon, celebrating the contributions of Black individuals to American history.

Salamishah Tillet, a Rutgers professor of creative writing and Africana studies, remarked, “It’s about honoring both the extraordinary and the everyday.” Her sister, Scheherazade Tillet, a photographer, captured an image of a girl standing beside the base of a recently removed Christopher Columbus statue in Newark, New Jersey. This image was transformed into a mural dubbed “Will You Be My Monument?” signifying reclamation of public spaces.

Historians have observed this trend, noting a rise in monuments celebrating the achievements of Black Americans.

New Monuments Foster a ‘Cultural Renaissance’ in America

The emergence of these new monuments reflects a more democratic approach to honorifics, incorporating a wider range of community voices in deciding who is recognized. For example, at UVA, professor Kirt von Daacke noted that many students, staff, and others from the community collaborated in creating the memorial for enslaved laborers.

“The end result is a stunning artwork that pays tribute to the lives of the enslaved and honors their stories,” he explained.

This memorial represents a new chapter in the South, where communities and lawmakers are increasingly receptive to recognizing figures other than Confederate leaders and the “Lost Cause” narrative.

The Lost Cause is a concept that seeks to portray the Civil War favorably from the perspective of the Confederacy, often romanticizing the “Old South” and misrepresenting historical events, as documented by the Encyclopedia Virginia.

Leggs emphasized that the new monuments across the U.S. herald a “cultural renaissance,” empowering locals to share their narratives through art and create a new commemorative landscape that places African American stories at the heart of American democracy.

Regarding the Truth memorial, he stated, “I believe this initiative relates to civil rights in that preserving our shared cultural tapestry and heritage is an essential aspect of racial justice and should be regarded as a civil right.”

First Black restaurant owner in Vermont gets honored with a statue

Officials in Madison, Wisconsin revealed a statue of Velvalea “Vel” Phillips, crafted by artist Radcliffe Bailey, on the grounds of the capitol in July. Phillips was notable for achieving numerous milestones as a Black woman in the state and passed away in 2018 at the age of 95. Michael Johnson, the president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dane County, noted that the idea for the statue arose from discussions with activists who encouraged him to advocate for better representation at the state capitol.

After his visit to Governor Tony Evers’ office—where he spotted a photo of Phillips that Evers had displayed—Johnson was motivated to memorialize her and successfully raised nearly $350,000 for the statue’s creation. An associated board for the capitol grounds granted an exception to allow Phillips’ statue to stand nearby.

“I feel a sense of pride for the hundreds who supported this statue and for the young activists who urged us, as leaders, to ensure there was representation in our state capitol,” Johnson commented.

In Rutland, Vermont, a stone statue honoring Ernie and Willa Royal stands in the downtown area. Ernie is recognized as Vermont’s first Black restaurant owner as well as the first Black board member of the National Restaurant Association. The statue has been in place since May, depicting Willa arranging flowers at a table while Ernie mentors young staff members in their restaurant.

Ernie, who passed away in 1994 at the age of 76, established a scholarship for Black students at the Culinary Institute of America through his estate. He ran Royal’s Hearthside restaurant from 1963 until his death.

Steve Costello, who collaborated with his wife Jane and other community members to finance the statue, stated that the project’s inception aimed to create a sculpture trail—one that deviates from the conventional representations that typically feature older white males. They researched Ernie’s legacy and his restaurant to ensure an accurate portrayal.

“To me, the sculpture perfectly captures their essence and contributions to the community,” Costello reflected. “They were instrumental in bringing the community together for significant gatherings, meals, and memorable events.”

Addressing the ‘whitewashing’ of American History

In Buffalo, the African American Veterans Monument stands at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park to pay tribute to Black servicemembers. This monument consists of 12 cylindrical pillars, which illuminate at night, symbolizing the 12 wars and the peacetime in between. Robin Hodge, the chief of operations at AAVM, shared that the initiative began in 2012 with a small group of Black residents eager to honor such servicemembers.

Ronal Basshman, a board member of the monument, emphasized its significance, stating that American history has been “whitewashed for 300 years.” Hodge mentioned that all individuals honored in the monument serve in both wartime and peacetime. The memorial was inaugurated in 2022, thanks to efforts from New York State Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, who aided in securing the land for its construction.

In San Francisco, poet Maya Angelou is set to be commemorated at the city’s main library through a sculpture by artist Lava Thomas. Renowned for her autobiographical work “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” and the anthology “And Still I Rise,” Angelou has long been an inspirational figure to Thomas, who regards her as a “shero.”

States enact laws prohibiting the removal of monuments

Despite these advancements, resistance remains. Detractors argue that tearing down Confederate monuments equates to erasing history, leading some Southern states to enact legislation preventing their removal.

In Fort Smith, Arkansas, a life-sized statue of a Confederate soldier has loomed over the city for more than a century.

Local administrators have contemplated the statue’s removal for extended periods. The murder of George Floyd reignited debates surrounding Confederate monuments, generating fresh calls for its removal. A nearby construction firm even offered to assist with the process.

“This statue is an undeniable tribute to the values of the Confederacy that we do not endorse,” residents expressed in a petition to city officials.

However, before decisions could be made about the statue’s fate, the Arkansas Legislature intervened.

In 2021, Republican state lawmakers banned Fort Smith from removing the statue, claiming it was to protect against what they deemed “vandalism” of monuments. This legislation restricts local leaders’ authority to relocate numerous statues statewide.

Arkansas joins a trend among several Southern states that have introduced historic preservation laws, removing local authority from the decision-making process regarding Confederate monuments in their areas. Similar legislation has emerged in other states, including Texas, Florida, and even New York.

and Pennsylvania.

Monuments Reveal a ‘Complex, Informed’ History

According to Salamishah and Scheherazade Tillet, upcoming monuments will likely be more interactive and prepared for relocation. They observe that the increase in Black monuments is also shifting attention to other racial and ethnic groups, aiming for a more accurate representation of the country’s diverse history, including both its dark chapters and significant milestones. Additionally, there will be tributes honoring everyday individuals.

“The figures we honor reflect the true essence of America, as it has always been,” Salamishah Tillet remarked.

As von Daacke noted, these developments will influence the public’s understanding of history and alter collective memory regarding the nation’s past or the histories of specific locales.

“Right now, the decisions being made reflect a more nuanced understanding of history, showing a broader and more intricate perspective than in previous times,” stated von Daacke. “These monuments emerge from notable events of the last few decades and are positioned in the context of a more truthful and comprehensive historical narrative than what we would have encountered two decades ago or even a century ago.”

Contributors: Abhinav S. Krishnan, YSL News