Recognizing Effort

When prompted to make any hypothetical changes to the sculpture of Henry Ward Beecher located in Columbus Park without any physical alterations, I found it difficult to come up with something. This can be especially difficult because not everyone may be happy with the changes made. My alteration would be to try to elevate the freedwoman, by adding to her something that will take away this message of gratitude to the white man. This could be decorations like a flower wreath around her neck that's changed regularly, or other decorations that are able to add a bit of color, making her the highlight of the sculpture. I believe that making this change will help people see the message that she is special, and is not just looking and waiting for someone to come along and save her. Freedmen and freedwomen alike helped contribute to the abolishment of slavery, and the idea that the white man had to come along to make it happen should be put away at this point in history, and with the decorations it would be a sign of recognizing their efforts. The intention here is to equalize Beecher and the freedwoman, given that their difference in height gives off a natural indifference, likely intentional from the sculptor.