Expelled Because of Color facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Expelled Because of Color |
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Expelled Because of Color (2020)
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| Artist | John T. Riddle |
| Completion date | February 16, 1978 |
| Location | Georgia State Capitol, Atlanta, Georgia, United States |
| 33°44′56″N 84°23′16″W / 33.748966°N 84.387681°W | |
Expelled Because of Color is a powerful bronze sculpture created by John Thomas Riddle, Jr.. It stands about 6 feet tall. You can find it on the grounds of the Georgia State Capitol building in Atlanta, Georgia. This important artwork was asked for in 1976 by the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus. It was officially shown to the public on February 16, 1978. This date was also the second annual Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials Day.
What the Sculpture Means
This sculpture remembers a very important part of history. It honors the Original 33. These were 33 African-American lawmakers who were unfairly removed from the Georgia legislature in 1868. They were forced to leave because of their race.
Remembering the Original 33
The sculpture's name, Expelled Because of Color, tells their story directly. It is a tribute to these 33 black state legislators. They were removed from the Georgia House of Representatives. This happened simply because of the color of their skin.
Symbols in the Sculpture
The base of the sculpture has cinder block shapes. These blocks are symbols. They represent the growth of political awareness among black people in Georgia. They also show their fight for self-representation. This means having their own voices heard in government.
The sculpture also tells a bigger story. It reminds us of the long journey of black Georgians. This journey includes their enslavement and their role in the Revolutionary War. It also highlights the importance of the black church. Their hard work and the fight for the right to vote are also part of this story. The sculpture shows their path from slave ships all the way to the State House.
