Preview
Exhibition Date
November 2023
Medium
Panels: Sintra, paper. Object: 20th Century police Billy club, wood. Content: Etchings, photographs-Library of Congress, Tennessee Department of Archives.
Description
With the passage of the Emancipation Proclamation and subsequent Constitutional Amendments guaranteeing the end of slavery, citizenship to all natural born persons, and civil rights protections, African Americans entered the Reconstruction period with high hopes. However, the attitudes and beliefs of white Americans towards the black race had not changed. Despite the federal laws, southern state and local governments created numerous laws aimed at maintaining white superiority and keeping the African race at an inferior status. These regulations became known as the Black Codes. The purpose of this section is to enforce the fact that emancipation did not guarantee civil rights and equality for African Americans. Based on their engrained belief system, whites continued to insist on their own superiority and power over people of color. The images displayed tie the exhibition themes into more modern historical events, such as a sign and photo from segregation in the mid-twentieth century south. Highlighted are local events that affected Calhoun County and Alabama. The intent is to help viewers, especially those who lived during those times, see how harmful beliefs about race were not eradicated with the passage of the Emancipation Proclamation race but have transitioned even into the modern era. Panel sizes: 45x18in, 20x47in.
Rights
This image is the property of Jacksonville State University and is intended for non-commercial use. The original is the intellectual property of the JSU student creator. Images may be copied for research, teaching, or any fair use as defined by U.S. copyright law. Images may not be altered in any way, and the creator retains all other rights to these materials. Users of these images are asked to acknowledge Jacksonville State University and must obtain permission from the creator for any other uses not explicitly delineated in this rights statement.
Location
The MFA Thesis Exhibition was held in the Hammond Hall Art Gallery.