Emancipation Memorial Freedmans Memorial

I’ve been torn about this memorial for a while. It’s white savior visuals left a foul taste in my mouth, but the inscription changed my mind. It was paid for by people freed by Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, and the first donation was the very first dollar someone earned. Context is important and with the inscription it changes from a memorial to a white savior into a memorial to a man who tried to do what he thought was the right thing.

A very overlooked Park with significant history . Abraham Lincoln to Mary McLeod Bethune. Great conversation starter … Did you know???

The memorial of Mary McLeod Bethune is amazing and inspiring. Her will, can be read as you walk around the statue, has always fascinated me.

A monument established and paid for by freed slaves, on April 14th 1876, flanked by Ulysses S. Grant, Frederick Douglas himself made a speech there in dedication of their sacrifice. Famous African-American Abolitionist Henry Highland Garnet wanted the monument to serve a didactic purpose as a school where freedmen could elevate themselves through learning.

Freemen donated to build it and so did black union soldiers. Fredrick Douglas spoke when it was put up. A Monument of a man that isn't kneeling anymore, but lifting his head up looking to the future. "Do not kneel before me, kneel only for your God." Abraham Lincoln.

The point is not that the African American man is beneath Lincoln, it is that his chains had finally been broken and he is getting up to stand as an equal to Lincoln.

Without him we’ll still be in slavery FFS!! Be glad and don’t erase history. Also people were different back then. We should focus on fire people act now!