The process of replacing problematic and racist statues across the United States is slow and challenging. Sculptor Vinnie Bagwell faces significant delays in funding for her 'Victory Beyond Sims' monument in New York City. The article highlights political resistance, including Donald Trump's executive order to restore removed monuments, and discusses other stalled and successful replacement projects, emphasizing the ongoing struggle to diversify public art and narratives.
The ongoing fight to replace racist monuments in the US: ‘requires a lot of perseverance’
Art and designCultureBlack US cultureDesignSculptureArtUnited StatesDonald Trump
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️The process of replacing problematic and racist statues across the United States is slow and challenging. Sculptor Vinnie Bagwell faces significant delays in funding for her 'Victory Beyond Sims' monument in New York City. The article highlights political resistance, including Donald Trump's executive order to restore removed monuments, and discusses other stalled and successful replacement projects, emphasizing the ongoing struggle to diversify public art and narratives.
Trending- 1 1836-1864: Roger Taney served on the court.
- 2 1870s: Debate on the rise and fall of monuments dates back to.
- 3 1876: Frederick Douglass called into question the Emancipation Memorial.
- 4 1951: Henrietta Lacks' cells were taken.
- 5 1993: Vinnie Bagwell began sculpting.
- 6 April 2018: Dr J Marion Sims monument removed by NYC officials.
- 7 2020: Racial justice protests, George Floyd's killing, Confederate statues dismantled.
- 8 2020: Vinnie Bagwell won the artist competition to replace Dr J Marion Sims monument.
- 9 2020: Chris McDaniel pre-filed a bill to replace Jefferson Davis.
- 10 2020: Mississippi voted to remove the Confederate flag.
- 11 2021: Joe Biden passed legislation to replace Roger Taney's monument.
- 12 2021: DC officials removed the Emancipation Memorial.
- 13 2021-2022: Monument Lab audit showed 99.4% of monuments were not taken down.
- 14 December 2024: Intended deadline for Roger Taney statue building (missed).
- 15 This year (2025): Donald Trump signed an executive order mandating restoration of removed monuments.
- 16 This year (2025): Pete Hegseth rolled back names of two military forts.
- 17 This year (2025): Muriel Bowser ordered destruction of Black Lives Matter plaza.
- 18 June 23, 2025: Public Design Commission voted unanimously to approve Vinnie Bagwell’s designs.
- Significant delays and obstacles in monument replacement projects
- Political conflict and debate over public art and historical representation
- Potential reversal of progress in diversifying public spaces due to executive orders
- Artists and advocates face ongoing challenges and perseverance is required
- Continued perpetuation of racist narratives if problematic monuments remain
What: The slow and arduous process of replacing racist monuments in the US; Sculptor Vinnie Bagwell's struggle to receive promised funds for her 'Victory Beyond Sims' monument in New York City; Donald Trump's executive order mandating the restoration of monuments removed in the last five years; Delays in Joe Biden's 2021 legislation to replace Roger Taney's statue with Thurgood Marshall's; Historical context of monument debates, including Frederick Douglass's critique of the Emancipation Memorial; Audit showing only 10% of top 50 national monuments are of Black and Indigenous people; Examples of successful monument replacements (John Lewis in Decatur, Henrietta Lacks in Roanoke).
When: Published on June 29, 2025; Since 2020: Vinnie Bagwell won the artist competition; April 2018: Dr J Marion Sims monument removed; 2020: Racial justice protests and George Floyd's killing led to dismantling of statues; 2021: Joe Biden passed legislation for Roger Taney replacement; December 2024: Intended deadline for Roger Taney statue (missed); This year (2025): Donald Trump signed an executive order to restore monuments; This year (2025): Pete Hegseth rolled back names of two military forts; 2021: DC officials removed Emancipation Memorial; 1870s: Debate on monuments dates back to; 1876: Frederick Douglass called into question Emancipation Memorial; 2017: Trump tweeted about Confederate monuments; 2020: Chris McDaniel pre-filed bill to replace Jefferson Davis; 2020: Mississippi voted to remove Confederate flag; 1951: Henrietta Lacks' cells taken; June 23, 2025: Public Design Commission voted unanimously to approve Bagwell’s designs.
Where: United States (nationwide); New York City (Dr J Marion Sims monument, Fifth Avenue, East Harlem, New York Academy of Medicine); Yonkers (First Lady of Jazz); Washington DC (Emancipation Memorial, Black Lives Matter plaza, United States Capitol); Arkansas (mentioned regarding women's rights); Decatur, Georgia (John Lewis memorial); Tonieville, Kentucky (Carl Brashear's birthplace); Kentucky Capitol Rotunda; Mississippi; Montgomery, Alabama (Legacy Sites); Roanoke, Virginia (Henrietta Lacks statue).
Why: To replace problematic statues that represent racist histories (e.g., Dr J Marion Sims's experiments on enslaved women, Confederate figures) and to foster public artworks that better reflect the city's diversity and history. To honor the suffering of victims and the vital contributions of African Americans to American society. Political resistance, particularly from the Trump administration, aims to reverse progress and restore controversial monuments. The broader goal is to challenge racist narratives and tell a fuller, more inclusive story of American history.
How: Artists win competitions (Vinnie Bagwell); City officials vote to remove monuments (NYC Public Design Commission); Legislation is passed (Joe Biden's bill); Executive orders are signed (Donald Trump's order); Community members vote and advocate; Fundraising efforts are undertaken; Sculptors create new monuments; Non-profits conduct audits and advocate (Monument Lab); Civil rights organizations work to reshape narratives (Equal Justice Initiative).