In the heart of Washington, D.C., the Emancipation Memorial stands as a contradictory legacy of slavery and emancipation in the United States.
Unveiled in 1876, the statue depicts Abraham Lincoln standing while an African American man, wearing only a loincloth, kneeling at his feet.
This seemingly paradoxical image has led to questions about the memorial’s true meaning and the message it conveys about the relationship between the emancipator and the emancipated.
Archer Alexander’s Story
The face of the kneeling figure belongs to Archer Alexander, a man who escaped slavery in 1863, seeking refuge in St. Louis, Missouri.
The memorial was funded by Charlotte Scott, an African American woman who had also experienced the horrors of slavery in Virginia before finding freedom in Ohio.
The Kneeling Slave Is a Symbol of Abolitionist Resistance
The image of a kneeling slave in chains first emerged in the late 18th century as a powerful symbol of the abolitionist movement. The Committee for the Abolition of the Slave Trade, a group of English Quakers, commissioned a seal featuring this image along with the poignant question: “Am I not a man and a brother?”(ref)
The seal’s widespread popularity led to its reproduction on medallions and other objects, effectively disseminating the message of abolition across borders and cultures.
From France to America: The Transatlantic Journey of an Image
The image quickly gained traction, so much so that Wedgwood, a renowned English porcelain manufacturer, produced a medallion featuring the design and slogan, which was then widely circulated.(ref)
Two years later, the Sèvres Manufactory, a prestigious French porcelain house, produced a French version of the medallion, bearing the translated inscription, “Ne suis-je pas un homme? Un frère?”
However, its production was halted due to fears of inciting rebellion among enslaved Africans in French colonies. This incident demonstrates the power of images to inspire both hope and fear.
The Fight for Equality
The phrase “Am I not a man and a brother?” resonated throughout the 19th century, finding echoes in the words of Sojourner Truth, a prominent abolitionist and women’s rights activist.
Although her exact words at the 1851 Ohio Women’s Rights Convention are lost to history, her use of the phrase “Ain’t I a woman?” underscores the interconnectedness of the struggles for racial and gender equality.(ref)
A Nation Divided
In 1837, American poet John Greenleaf Whittier published “Our Countrymen in Chains,” a poem that vividly depicted the horrors of slavery and the commodification of human beings.(ref)
The accompanying woodcut illustration of a man in chains reinforced the image of the kneeling slave from the Committee for the Abolition of the Slave Trade and Wedgwood and Sèvres medallions as a symbol of oppression and injustice.
Contested Interpretations
From the outset, the Emancipation Memorial sparked controversy. At its unveiling in 1876, Frederick Douglass, a prominent abolitionist and orator, notably avoided mentioning the statue’s imagery in his keynote address.
Days later, he penned a letter to a Washington newspaper criticizing the design, expressing his desire for monuments that depicted Black individuals standing upright, not kneeling like animals.(ref)
Reevaluating the Symbolism
The memorial’s meaning has changed over time, which leads to a reassessment of its place in public spaces.
In 2020, the city of Boston decided to remove its replica of the Emancipation Memorial due to growing concerns about its perceived racial hierarchy. Modern viewers, unaware of the historical context behind the kneeling figure, often interpreted the image as perpetuating stereotypes of subservience and inferiority.(ref)
Adapting to Changing Times
The Emancipation Memorial’s story shows how symbols can change meaning over time. What once meant freedom to some, now feels hurtful to others. This reminds us to look closely at old monuments and understand that their meanings aren’t set in stone. They change as our society and culture do.
The kneeling slave, once a symbol of hope for ending slavery, is now seen in different ways. As we continue to learn from the past and its effects on us today, it’s important to talk openly about what this image means now and for the future.
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Martha A. Lavallie
Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.
