House grants Tshaka’s plea
Congress passes resolution recognizing Capitol built by slave labor
By Nathan Duke
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| Congress passed a resolution that will place a marker in Washington, D.C.’s Emancipation Hall after Bayside activist Mandingo Tshaka noticed that there was nothing in the Capitol to notify visitors that it had been built by African slaves. Photo by Christina Santucci |
Congress overwhelmingly approved a resolution to place a marker in Washington, D.C.’s Emancipation Hall to recognize that the U.S. Capitol was built with slave labor after Bayside activist Mandingo Tshaka brought the matter to U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman’s (D-Bayside) attention last year.
In addition, Ackerman said he and U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel (D-Astoria) have sponsored a proposal that would place a statue honoring “The Unknown Slave” in the hall.
Tshaka said he was pleased to hear Congress passed the resolution that would call for a marker or display in the hall recognizing slaves were used in the Capitol’s construction. The House approved the measure 399-1, a spokesman for Ackerman said.
“They must have heard my voice in the wilderness,” Tshaka said. “If this country is ever going to heal, these things have to be taught in history books and school. It’s imperative.”
Tshaka attended the opening ceremony for Emancipation Hall in Washington, D.C., in early December and was upset that there was no mention of the Capitol being built by African slaves.
“I went there last year and saw the majesty of that building,” he said. “It’s a symbol of awesome power. It was all done by back-breaking human power. It’s a continuum of the pyramids in Egypt.”
Emancipation Hall is the largest space in the new underground visitors center on the east side of the Capitol. The hall is to be a reminder of the enslaved laborers who built the Capitol as well as a celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation to free slaves in the Confederacy.
Earlier this week, Ackerman introduced a bill that would create a statue of “The Unknown Slave” in the hall. If enacted, the capitol’s architect would be required to build the structure within 180 days.
“The creation of this statue would be the least we could do to pay tribute to the blood, sweat and tears of the slaves who helped build the capital of the free world,” the congressman said. “Throughout our nation’s history, little has been known about the role that slave labor played in the construction of the U.S. Capitol. Hopefully, the displaying of this statue would continue Congress’ efforts to remedy this shameful omission from history and ensure that the story of these slaves is not only told but never forgotten.”
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at nduke@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
In addition, Ackerman said he and U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel (D-Astoria) have sponsored a proposal that would place a statue honoring “The Unknown Slave” in the hall.
Tshaka said he was pleased to hear Congress passed the resolution that would call for a marker or display in the hall recognizing slaves were used in the Capitol’s construction. The House approved the measure 399-1, a spokesman for Ackerman said.
“They must have heard my voice in the wilderness,” Tshaka said. “If this country is ever going to heal, these things have to be taught in history books and school. It’s imperative.”
Tshaka attended the opening ceremony for Emancipation Hall in Washington, D.C., in early December and was upset that there was no mention of the Capitol being built by African slaves.
“I went there last year and saw the majesty of that building,” he said. “It’s a symbol of awesome power. It was all done by back-breaking human power. It’s a continuum of the pyramids in Egypt.”
Emancipation Hall is the largest space in the new underground visitors center on the east side of the Capitol. The hall is to be a reminder of the enslaved laborers who built the Capitol as well as a celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation to free slaves in the Confederacy.
Earlier this week, Ackerman introduced a bill that would create a statue of “The Unknown Slave” in the hall. If enacted, the capitol’s architect would be required to build the structure within 180 days.
“The creation of this statue would be the least we could do to pay tribute to the blood, sweat and tears of the slaves who helped build the capital of the free world,” the congressman said. “Throughout our nation’s history, little has been known about the role that slave labor played in the construction of the U.S. Capitol. Hopefully, the displaying of this statue would continue Congress’ efforts to remedy this shameful omission from history and ensure that the story of these slaves is not only told but never forgotten.”
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at nduke@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
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