South Carolina is about to make history by installing its first individual statue of an African American on the Statehouse lawn, paying tribute to Robert Smalls, a prominent figure known for his extraordinary escape from slavery during the Civil War. Smalls, who once cleverly donned Confederate attire to commandeer a ship and rescue himself and others from bondage, is being honored not only for this audacious act but also for his extensive contributions to society.
Born in 1839, Smalls' legacy extends beyond his daring escape. Following the Civil War, he served for ten years as a U.S. Representative, actively working to amend South Carolina’s constitution to promote equality for Black men. His life encapsulates the struggles of African Americans during and after the war, especially against the backdrop of systemic racism.
U.S. Representative Jermaine Johnson expressed eagerness to take his children to the Statehouse to see their heritage recognized, stating, “The man has done so many great things, it's just a travesty he has not been honored until now. Heck, it's also a travesty there isn’t some big Hollywood movie out there about his life.”
The movement to honor Smalls by statues has gained traction over the years, with renewed momentum leading to the unanimous passage of the bill through the state legislature. Representative Brandon Cox remarked on the importance of highlighting South Carolina's positive history, noting, “South Carolina is a great state. We’ve got a lot of history, good and bad. This is our good history.”
Nonetheless, the design and exact significance of the statue remain subjects of debate. Some proponents argue for depicting Smalls as the ship pilot who executed his daring escape, maneuvering through Confederate checkpoints, risking everything for freedom. Others suggest presenting him as the seasoned statesman who fought tirelessly for the rights of African Americans. Alternatively, some advocate for encapsulating all his accomplishments within the tribute.
“The best way to sum up Robert Smalls' life is it was a fight for freedom as a slave, as a pilot, and as a statesman,” said Representative Chip Campsen, reflecting on the complexity of Smalls' contributions.
Location of the statue raises another important discussion. Currently, the Statehouse boasts multiple monuments commemorizing various historical figures, yet none honor an individual African American. There are monuments to figures like Dr. J. Marion Sims, known as the father of modern gynecology but criticized for his practices involving non-anesthetized enslaved women, and several statues not only honoring Confederate leaders but celebrating the very system Smalls fought against.
Proponents of Smalls’ statue have proposed placing it nearby existing monuments, potentially making it taller and more prominent than statues like those of Ben Tillman, a figure notorious for his violent opposition to Black voting rights. Leading supporters stress the importance of “getting the narrative right,” as Republican Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey put it, emphasizing the need to tell Smalls’ story accurately to honor both him and the state of South Carolina as it confronts its storied past.
Robert Smalls passed away as somewhat of forgotten figure, yet his life lived as part of the fight for freedom encapsulates broader truths about the African American experience both historically and presently. "Driving a Confederate boat to freedom is what captures the most attention,” said Chris Barr, Chief of Interpretation for the Reconstruction Era National Historic Park, recognizing the immense significance of Smalls’ successful escape. "If you’re an enslaved person working on one of these boats around the Charleston Harbor like Robert Smalls, you’ve got the tools, you’ve got the talent, you’ve got the boat and you know how to drive it. And you can literally see freedom floating. All you need is an opportunity."
This statue not only seeks to commemorate Robert Smalls but aims to rekindle conversations about the representation of African Americans throughout U.S. history. The dedication of such tributes not only celebrates individual accomplishments but also sets the stage for acknowledging the substantial contributions of Black Americans from past to present.
Enacting change around how African American history is presented in public spaces matters. It reflects societal strides toward confronting historical injustices and validating the cultural contributions of Black individuals.
