African-American Monument, Bronze monument on River Street in Savannah, United States.
The African-American Monument is a bronze group of four figures, a family in modern dress, standing on a granite pedestal with broken chains at their feet. The work, about 11 feet (3.4 m) tall, was sculpted by Dorothy Radford Spradley and stands near River Street on the Savannah River waterfront.
The monument was dedicated in 2002 as the first major public recognition of slavery and African American contributions to Savannah's development. Its creation marked a turning point in how the city chose to acknowledge and discuss this chapter of its past.
The base carries a quote by Maya Angelou, amended in 2002 with the line "Today, we are standing up together, with faith and even some joy." An earlier, longer version describing conditions in the slave ships proved controversial with the city council, and Mayor Floyd Adams Jr. opposed it. A plaque added in July 2019 records Abigail Jordan's campaign for the monument.
The monument is accessible year-round and easy to find along River Street, where many visitors walk and explore. Allow quiet time to read the inscription, and the location tends to be less crowded during early mornings or early evenings.
The family depicted wears modern clothing rather than historical dress, connecting past experiences with contemporary African American identity. This artistic choice emphasizes that this history continues into the present day and remains part of current life.
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