As part of my exploratory analysis of African American History I noticed that during the Centennial Celebrations for the Statue of Liberty, the overwhelming majority of the literature associated with the monument omit any notion of the abolitionist movements involvement in its formation, despite the fact that in New York City Labolaye was aided with the design by the Anti-Savery Union League.
Additionally during the statue's inauguration the abolitionist societies praised the newly unveiled "goddess of liberty" as a "tribute to the Union Victory and abolition of Slavery" as did Albert W. Lefaivre, a guest speaker who noted it "ended the emancipation of 5 million brethren."
There may not be categorical evidence to state whether or not the Statue of Liberty was to have been an African American female but it was certainly meant to represent an end to slavery and the original model possessed the facial features of an African woman.
As the United States only accepted the gift, after Bartholdi removed the chains from her arm and made her facial features and overall design more European it is highly suggestive that the rumor she was originally meant to portray a freed African American are true.
The concept of the film was to give Liberty avoice, as for nearly 125 years she has been silenced. I chose Billie Holiday's Strange Fruits for the potent lyrical content, which hauntingly vocalized the horrific acts of racial violence and prejudice towards African Americans. Billy Holidays rendition of the song was selected as her voice conveys the emotion not only of the lyrics but also of the inequality she was suffering at the time, ironically some 60 year voice, as for nearly 125 years she has been silenced.
Additionally during the statue's inauguration the abolitionist societies praised the newly unveiled "goddess of liberty" as a "tribute to the Union Victory and abolition of Slavery" as did Albert W. Lefaivre, a guest speaker who noted it "ended the emancipation of 5 million brethren."
There may not be categorical evidence to state whether or not the Statue of Liberty was to have been an African American female but it was certainly meant to represent an end to slavery and the original model possessed the facial features of an African woman.
As the United States only accepted the gift, after Bartholdi removed the chains from her arm and made her facial features and overall design more European it is highly suggestive that the rumor she was originally meant to portray a freed African American are true.
The concept of the film was to give Liberty avoice, as for nearly 125 years she has been silenced. I chose Billie Holiday's Strange Fruits for the potent lyrical content, which hauntingly vocalized the horrific acts of racial violence and prejudice towards African Americans. Billy Holidays rendition of the song was selected as her voice conveys the emotion not only of the lyrics but also of the inequality she was suffering at the time, ironically some 60 year voice, as for nearly 125 years she has been silenced.
