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| 1. Little Boy Solomon 2. Little Girl Sarah |
As a student studying American history, the only thing I remember about
black people during the civil war was steeped in agony. The history told about
black people during this time has been regulated to tragedy, and property. Their personality has been stripped from
history. Who really were these people?
Like so many African-Americans, there are only a few things
we can refer back to that gives us a glimpse into the life of our early
African-American ancestors. In my case, all I have are two names. They are my
great grand parents Solomon and Sarah.
Everything else I know about our early African-American
ancestors is found in the economic, social and political structure of the time.
What it must have felt like to live in a culture that only valued you by how
much cotton you can pick. I can’t image
living in a blank existence. That your
life you have is no worth recording.
“Little Boy Solomon” and “Little Girl Sarah”, which are now
on display at the Mosaic Templar Cultural Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, are
my interpretation of African American slave life. Surviving through a blank existence that
supported a culture of greed, ignorance and oppression is something I can’t
image.
But even in this agony, there is inspiration. African Americans who
live in America are the results of great endurance, patience and strength. Our ancestors survived a tragic life in order
for us to tell there great story. That
story is found in the blood of our souls.
I pray that God allows me the time, strength and courage to tell that
beautiful story.
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| 2014 Creativity Arkansas Art Collection "What the civil war means for the African American Experience in Arkansas |
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