power and equality

The Henry Ward Beecher statue was the most intriguing object on this trip. While exploring Brooklyn, I have past this statue a number of times but never stopped to look at it. I'm not exactly sure why, but now that I do, I think it's fascinating. I also observed that several folks in my immediate vicinity stopped to take in what they had just seen. Up until this lesson, I had not a clue who he was or why he was there. The significance of this statue is derived from Beecher's advocacy for abolition and his deep love for children. Children are on his right and a woman is to his left. The women to the left looks as if she needs help. As if she's upset and is looking up to him to be "saved" in a way. Beecher looks as if he has the power since he is at top. On the other hand, the statue "unity" is a finger pointing up. It has a very different meaning than the Beecher statue since it symbolizes having more freedom and being one. Hank Willis Thomas designed this to symbolize NBA player Joel Embiid's arm. According to Thomas, "Upward movement and a sense of roots have always been central to Brooklyn's soul." Although I had never seen this statue before, I immediately thought to look up because it was pointing upward, just as Thomas had meant. I also believed that this was designed to enable people, like myself, to believe that it loathed power and togetherness. We are all equal and should all be seen the same.