Which story do you believe?

In respect to Black History Month, I ask all of you to weigh in your thoughts. I saw and read the following:

THE FIRST STATUE OF LIBERTY GIVEN TO THE U.S. BY FRANCE WAS A BLACK WOMAN THAT THE U.S. TURNED DOWN, SO THE FRENCH MADE ANOTHER WHICH IS THE CURRENT IN THE N.Y. HARBOR.

He says that what stimulated the idea for the creation of the statue initially was the part that Black soldiers played in the ending of Black African Bondage in the United States. It was created in the mind of the French historian Edourd de Laboulaye, chairman of the French Anti-Slavery Society, who, together with sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, proposed to the French government that the people of France present to the people of the United States through the American Abolitionist Society, the gift of a Statue of Liberty in recognition of the fact that Black soldiers won the Civil War in the United States. It was widely known then that it was Black soldiers who played the pivotal role in winning the war, and this gift would be a tribute to their prowess.

When the statue was presented to the U.S. Minister to France in 1884, it is said that he remonstrated that the dominant view of the broken hackles would be offensive to a U.S. South, because since the statue was a reminder of Blacks winning their freedom. It was a reminder to a beaten South of the ones who caused their defeat, their despised former captives.

Of course after reading that, I wanted to do more research. I came across further information that suggests the “original” statue pictured on the left was actually originally intended to be for Eygpt around the same time. According to some, when Egypt turned down the statue, the French changed the face of Lady Liberty (to be modeled after the creator’s mother) and gifted the statue to the United States.

Which story do you believe? If we assume the first story to be true, how does that alter your perception of the statue and what it represents? If we assume the second story to be true, do you believe it was necessary for them to change Liberty’s face in order to increase the likelihood that the United States would accept it?

Share your thoughts!

Dear You..

I saw a prompt today that encouraged me to write a letter to my 14-year-old self. Immediately, I tried to imagine myself at 14. Not because it was “so long ago” but because I tried to remember the type of person I was then, compared to the type of person I am now. Anyways, here it goes:

Dear Little You,

It’s been 11 years since the last time we spoke, and words cannot express how much you are missed. Had you known your mother would have picked up and moves just days before your birthday, you might have spent that summer a little differently. Abandon ideas that your friendships wont change and more quickly accept the fact that you are now at the Shore to stay. Carefree, bill-free and debt-free.. my dear, how incredibly lucky you are. Don’t dare you be in such a rush to grow up. That job you’ll be starting this year, don’t rush. Take your time. Enjoy your evenings, enjoy your sports, enjoy your summers off. Know that the “love” you feel in the soon to come years are nothing more than idealistic crushes of the heart. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being a fourteen year old prude. In fact, one day you will be almost the dramatic opposite. Oh! I should probably mention that you’ll also end up being a lesbian. That might help answer some of the questions plaguing yourself at 17.   You’ll grow up to break hearts and suffer a few damaged pieces of your own. But believe, you’ve always made it through okay. Your friends at fourteen are distant memories of your current self. In fact, it’ll feel like it was in another lifetime. Your mother will still be your walking and talking diary. You wont be able to stop yourself from breaking her heart. Be you – she’ll love you anyways. Your best friend will pass away long before her time. Those silly arguments, get over it and make amends. You’ll miss her when she’s gone. WRITE! Write everything, all of the time. Never stop writing. You’ll need this outlet. This outlet will need you. Never downplay how amazing you are. Those who love you will appreciate all of you.

Sincerely,

The older, not-so-much-wiser, You.