In Chicago, a new art project called ‘Other Washingtons’ has been unveiled, surrounding a statue of George Washington with blue flags featuring the faces of Black Americans who share the same last name. The project, which is part of the Chicago Monuments Project, aims to provide a more nuanced representation of American history and to give voice to the stories of Black Americans who have been overlooked.

The Project’s Concept

The ‘Other Washingtons’ project was conceptualized by artist and architect Amanda Williams, who was inspired by the fact that the surname Washington is almost entirely associated with Black Americans. According to census research, in the 2000s, Washington was the top surname among Black Americans, with around 90% of people with the surname identifying as African American.

The project features flags bearing the faces of notable Black Americans such as George Washington Carver, Denzel Washington, and Mahalia Jackson, as well as local heroes like Benjamin Washington, a school band leader from the South Side of Chicago. The flags will rotate out annually for three years, allowing the community to take ownership of the project and to share their own stories.

Chicago’s Monuments Project

The ‘Other Washingtons’ project is one of eight commissions planned as part of the Chicago Monuments Project, which has received $6.8 million from the Mellon Foundation. The project aims to provide a more inclusive and representative portrayal of American history, and to give voice to the stories of marginalized communities.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has expressed his support for the project, stating that it sets a national model for how cities can invest in public art to preserve history, strengthen communities, and inspire real dialogue. The project has also been praised for its innovative approach to rethinking the way we represent American history and for its commitment to giving voice to the stories of Black Americans.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.