Remove The Emancipation Memorial/Freedman Statue

I am ashamed that this statue exists. Let’s replace it with something created by a black artist, depicting an actual black figure from history standing (or sitting... sitting’s fine, too...) with DIGNITY... something that actually represents freedom.

Boston resident

I would like to see the statue altered to display the freed slave in a more respectable position.

Thank you Tory!

Put these statues in a museum about inequality where they can truly be seen for what they are. We don't need to erase history, we just need to tell it accurately.

Never knew this existed. Respect Lincoln , but the man portrayed at his side is grossly disrespected and treated more as a pet than the human being he us.

This statue may have had the intention of celebrating freedom, but it isn't accomplishing that. Instead the demeaning posture of the black man, contrasted with the exalted and beneficent Lincoln just makes it look like a symbol of white supremacy. It is harmful for the same reason that any 'white savior' story is: it gives the white man all of the credit, and makes it look like a weak, pathetic black man should be thankful. Can you honestly dispute those descriptors of how this man is portrayed? Let's take this down, and put up a statue that celebrates our move toward equality without giving off those ugly racial vibes.

Do I really need to comment????? Please do the right thing.

Time for change.

This should absolutely be removed. It's an opportunity to do the right thing and we can still tell the history of freedom with BETTER public art.

There are better ways to honor our black brothers and sisters and celebrate emancipation than this portrayal.

How has this statute been up this long?! Time to go!

Remove and replace with something more respectful. Best of luck with this campaign.

❤️

This sculpture is a literal physical representation of the very destructive belief that Black Americans are less than white Americans, and that their freedom and humanity is not something they are entitled to because they are human beings, but something that white people give to them, at our discretion, and that they owe us for that. It's hurtful and offensive and must go immediately.

I agree, the black man should be standing and shaking hands with President Lincoln.

How have I lived here 20 years and never seen this. This is insane that this exists in Boston. Take this racist statue down now!

Go, Tory, go!

Artful statue, but a statue about liberation of the enslaved should focus on the enslaved, not Lincoln.

Racist imagery has not place in Massachusetts