Who Deserves a Monument?

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Confederate monuments are coming down. What goes up in their place? Who really deserves a monument? Inspired by one Baltimore high school, this podcast investigates the history of Confederate monuments and symbols—and their uncertain future. But mostly, it explores monumental moments through the stories of five unsung African Americans whose courage and cunning dramatically shaped American history. If you wish you could remember more of what you learned in American history, but hate being bored, this podcast is for you. Walk in the shoes of people who lived and breathed the Fugitive Slave Act, the 15th Amendment, the 19th Amendment, Plessy vs. Ferguson, Brown vs. Board of Education and the Freedom Rides firsthand. Celebrate Black History Month every month with this eight-part series hosted by history translator Sarah Lohnes and featuring living descendants, historians like Martha S. Jones, David Taft Terry, and Melba Joyce Boyd, politicians and artists.

Sarah Lohnes


    • Mar 1, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 41m AVG DURATION
    • 9 EPISODES
    • 1 SEASONS


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    Latest episodes from Who Deserves a Monument?

    Episode 8: How We Remember

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2021 44:48


    Is a monument the only (or best) way to remember a life well lived? Check in with students, activists, and civic leaders- and pretty much everyone else you've heard from in the podcast- for the many creative ways they are building and teaching the legacies of our heroes. Learn what's bad about textbooks, what can be great about monuments, and whether the Gorsuches and Parkers have made amends. Featuring Tianna Hunt, Callie Brizzi, Noel Flournoy, Ryan Patterson, and Owen Silverman Andrews. 

    Episode 7: Irene Morgan's Ride for Freedom

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2021 57:28


    Rosa Parks wasn't the first to refuse her seat on a bus. Eleven years prior, an ordinary mother named Irene Morgan took a brave stand that set a movement in motion. Listen to learn everything you've missed. Featuring Brenda Bacquie, Janine Bacquie, Raymond Arsenault, Robin Washington, Irene Morgan, and Rosa Parks. 

    Episode 6: Victorine Adams and the Swing Vote

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2021 54:38


    In the 1930s, Baltimore was run by a powerful political boss named Jack Pollack, and African Americans were largely shut out of politics. This is the story of the woman who changed all that, one housewife, one doorbell, and one meeting at a time. Featuring Ida Jones, David Taft Terry, Mark Cheshire, Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke. 

    Episode 5: The Afro-American's Frontpage News

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2021 50:19


    This is the story of the skillful drumbeat of legal action that chipped away at the idea of separate but equal. It's about a community of fearless leaders, with one family, and one newspaper, at the center. Profiling John H. Murphy, Sr., and Carl Murphy. Featuring Toni Draper, Savannah Wood, David Taft Terry, and Dennis Halpin. 

    Episode 4: Frances Ellen Watkins Harper's Free Land

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2021 50:51


    When the dominant narrative fails, one woman becomes the counter narrative. Her words awaken a nation to the humanity of enslaved and free African Americans during a pivotal time. Featuring Amanda S.C. Gorman, Melba Joyce Boyd, Martha S. Jones, and Sonya Marie Pouncy. 

    Episode 3: William Parker's Rebellion at Christiana

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2021 53:56


    How did an orphaned, teenage runaway slave ignite the largest treason trial in U.S. history, pave the way for the Civil War and maybe even play a role in President Lincoln's assassination? Featuring William Frederick Parker, Bryan Prince, Dave Taylor and Dennis Neal. 

    Episode 2: A Sweet Opportunity

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2021 37:57


    When Baltimore's Mayor removed four Confederate monuments in the cover of darkness, an opportunity emerged to honor new ideas, new heroes. Listen in as students from City Neighbors High School decide for themselves who deserves a monument in their city. 

    Episode 1: How Did We Get Here?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2021 21:03


    In some American cities, citizens are joining forces to tear down Confederate monuments themselves. In others, officials are taking action to protect and preserve them forever. How have tragic events and mass protests galvanized people on both sides of the debate? And, whose history is really being erased?

    Who Deserves a Monument? Season One Trailer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2021 3:13


    When a city has a chance to rewrite its history, what stories should it tell? This is the true story of five remarkable unsung heroes from American history, told by their family members, historians, artists, and politicians. Hosted by Sarah Lohnes. A production of Booksmart Media. 

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