Eric – Thinking Historically about Monuments and Memorials

Introduction

I had chosen to write about Frederick Douglass. Frederick Douglass is an important part of today’s society. He serves as a hero and icon especially to African-American communities because of what he believed in. In this essay, I will be talking about the monument dedicated to him as well as the symbolism it serves to the community and society as a whole. Firstly I will be talking about his background and what he had endured growing up. He endured many obstacles growing and the obstacles, challenges, and risks he encountered only made him the man he became and what he stood for.

Background Information

Frederick Douglass was born into slavery around 1818 in Maryland. He does not have an exact birth date and it is unknown. His mother was considered to be enslaved. As a kid, Douglass was treated very poorly and went through severe conditions while being a slave. Frederick Douglass had been beaten as a child by slave owners. He had gone through bad labor while working to the point where he had terrible back pain. All this that he had endured was a push for motivation to be free. As a kid, he was separated from his mother at an early age, and his mother ended up passing away from being terribly sick. Frederick Douglass had learned to read and write on his own and as he matured he realized that he’d had to escape for his own freedom. On September 3, 1838, he escaped by posing as a sailor and fled north. He had got on a train to Baltimore and headed straight for Philadelphia. He also got free working papers from a freed slave and took on from there. Ultimately he ended up residing in New Bedford Massachusetts. Since Frederick Douglass knew how to read and write, this led to many books journals, and became famous due to this. He was an abolitionist and pushed for freedom. He had also pushed very hard for Women rights as well.

Before we get into the monument it is important we also understand the overall controversy of slavery and the Civil War. Douglass played a huge role in the whole war by being an advocate for the enlistment of African American soldiers. He had encouraged African- Americans to join the Union Army. He also believed that serving in the Union army would not only help secure victory for the Union but would also show them were worth enough for citizenship. He believed that America was not only for white Americans and actively worked hard to that ensure African- Americans were treated fairly and to ensure that everyone was equal. Being a former slave himself, his experience led him to speak and write about slavery and how it was very brutal and dehumanizing. Frederick Douglass writing about his experience supported the abolitionist movement and helped. His book “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave,” published in 1845, talked about the brutal things he endured while being a slave and his journey to be free. He continued to talk and write about slavery and strictly went against it. He also talked about African- Americans having higher purpose in war. He also met with Abraham Lincoln to advocate for African American soldiers and to free slaves. Frederick argued this would be a difference maker in the war.

Statue construction

The monument is located in Harlem, New York. The construction of the statue began in 2010. Through efforts from the community and funding, it was publicly opened in 2011. Overall the designs and efforts came from Gabriel Koren and Algernon Miller. The two men had won the design competition organized by the Central Park Conservation for the Circle in 2003. The statue is made from bronze and granite and stood at 8ft tall. Gabriel Koren and Algernon Miller were both known sculptors and had looked forward to designing the statue. The only question this raises is why they took so long to start building the statue. It took 8 years for them to actually begin construction which is unfortunate. Frederick Douglass is a big part of today’s history, so I feel as if should not have taken eight years to begin building this project. It taking eight years to start construct also brings up questions if they even cared to construct it. What was the delay that it took 8 years to construct. How the did the sculptors feel about it? The fact that it had taken 8 years just overall raises a lot of questions.

Monument and what did it symbolize

The monument symbolizes his achievements as well as contributions to civil rights. The monument serves as an inspiration for the Harlem community. We could say the monument also symbolizes to fight for equal rights, equality, and justice. Equality for not only African- Americans but to everyone. We should have equal rights no matter what race you are. The back wall of the statue consists of the big dipper in order to guide African Americans who used the underground railroad. The monument is important and serves as a reminder of Frederick Douglass’s history of not only standing up to injustice and slavery but fighting for it too. Douglass’s life stories, in which he talks about his escapes and obstacles from slavery and his determined push for freedom and equality, represent the value of bravery and perseverance while struggling.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Douglass_Memorial#/media/File:Frederick_Douglas_Circle_(Half).JPG

What did this monument mean to the community?

For the Harlem community, it serves as a reminder of the struggles and successes experienced by their ancestors and as a connection to their ancestry for the Harlem community. It honors Frederick Douglass’s legacy and helps the fight for justice and freedom for the city of Harlem. Furthermore, the monument’s location in Harlem could serve as a center for African American events and discussions about important issues in society, pushing activism and unity in the community because this is what Frederick Douglass stood for. The community also came together for federal funding and with the help of this, they innovated the “Northside”. With all that being said, the Frederick Douglass monument in Harlem is an important part and also creates motivation and reflection of the community’s history and background. There is no controversy over the monument and is visited frequently since it’s located in Central Park, New York. Central Park is considered one of the biggest parks in New York so that should mean something.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I thought overall this monument was very unique and served a great purpose and reminder to African Americans and our history. Frederick Douglass actively pushed for freedom and equality. With everything talked about, Frederick Douglass’s life and legacy represents an example of the strength of bravery with constant problems in front of his face. Douglass’s life story, from his start as a slave to his rise to popularity in the abolitionist movement, symbolizes the victory of the human spirit over injustice. His monument symbolizes perseverance, dedication, and overall success in my opinion and to the community as well. What he fought for was right, the monument itself should always be treated and respected because that is what Frederick Douglass stood for.