Stained Glass and Racial Justice

A single voice raised, then another. We

must tell the truth about our history.

How did we get here and where do we go?

Walk toward freedom. Work toward freedom.

Believe in beloved community.

For decades the Washington National Cathedral in the District of Columbia contained disturbingly racist stained glass windows honouring Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. They were installed in 1953, which speaks to the climate of acceptance for Civil War "heroes" from the South at that time and the realities of racial segregation. There were Confederate flags hanging in the building as well.

Seven years ago those windows were removed, along with the flags,and I see that the replacement windows have been installed and dedicated They were were created by artist Kerry James Marshall and uphold racial justice. The windows, titled "Now and Forever" show a group of protesters marching in different directions and holding up large signs that read "Fairness" and "No Foul Play." Last September the Cathedral debuted the new windows, as well as a poem inscribed in stone tablets near the windows titled "American Song" by Elizabeth Alexander. A portion of that poem is above. 

Why do we hang on to artifacts and glorification of poisonous history, sometimes with reverence, and even in places of worship? It's encouraging that these changes have been made and that there is now a beautiful tribute to those who worked for justice and equality.