Professor claims memorials promote "white heterosexual male supremacy"

[NorthCarolinaLiberty]

Memorials promote 'white heterosexual male supremacy,' profs claim
Toni Airaksinen
New York Campus Correspondent
@Toni_Airaksinen
Today at 2:14 PM EDT




Public museums and memorials serve our nation’s “foundational commitments to white heterosexual male supremacy,” according to two Texas A&M University professors.

Tasha N. Dubriwny and Kristan Poirot, both of whom teach Women’s Studies at TAMU, advanced the claim in a July 12 article in the Southern Communications Journal, further alleging that U.S commemorative practices serve an inherently conservative agenda.

"U.S. commemorative practices...promote historical narratives that are inherently conservative in nature."

“Scholars consistently argue that U.S. commemorative practices and traditions promote historical narratives that are inherently conservative in nature,” they write. “This is particularly true of ‘official’ sites of public memory like memorials and museums.”

Museums and memorials, they explain, “are likely to support, not challenge, mainstream democratic values and figures,” reinforcing “key aspects of American mythology, including a national dedication to equality, liberty, work, sacrifice, ingenuity, and heroism.”

The authors quickly make clear their distaste for such values, saying they “mask foundational commitments to white heterosexual male supremacy, class hierarchies, and the systemic violence used to secure them.

“In short, the embodiment of the American identity in commemorative sites is, more often than not, a white heterosexual cisgendered male, reaffirming the ‘great man’ perspective that dominated American historiography for too long,” they add.


Professor Tasha Dubriwny told Campus Reform that her interest in the subject started with the idea to conduct a research project on the relation between second wave feminism and public memory, asserting that “there is a striking lack of official commemorative sites (statues, parks, etc.) recognizing feminist activists generally, and spaces that remember women from the 1960s and 1970s are basically nonexistent.”

War memorials are an excellent example of how public commemorative sites exclude women, Dubriwny said, observing that “because women have historically been excluded from [the public and political sphere], they are not as frequently subjects of public commemoration.”

Dubriwny also worries that war memorials in particular could perpetuate a problematic ethos of masculinity within the broader culture, saying they highlight “an aggressive, heroic, combat-centric masculinity [and] take part in a larger heteronormative cultural script that is often unquestioned.”


Since many of the war memorials and museums are here to stay, Dubriwny does not advocate for their removal. Rather, she says that going forward, people should take steps to “encourage our community leaders, our politicians, our heads-of-state, etc. to remember more inclusively.”

She also believes it is important to try to remember parts of the past that tend to go unnoticed, especially because they have implications for our understanding of the society around us.

“Memorials…would go a long way toward reconfiguring conversations about race in the present,” she predicted. “Public memories matter because they fuel our contemporary understandings of race and gender.”


https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=9458

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[fedupinmo]

They're just not looking in the right place for women's commemoration...

 

[Iowa]

Here's 50 women's statues in just one city alone.



Every female statue in Washington, D.C., mapped

1 Eleanor Roosevelt Memorial

At the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, you can find Eleanor Roosevelt standing in front of a symbol of the UN.

Photo via Wally Gobetz
1850 West Basin Drive Southwest
Washington, DC 20242

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2 Joan of Arc Statue

You can find this 13th century female heroine in Meridian Hill Park. It is the only equestrian statue of a woman in the District.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Timothy Vollmer
2400 15th Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20009

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3 St. Bernadette

Saint Bernadette was a late 19th century nun who had 18 visions of the Virgin Mary meeting her. She was canonized as a saint in 1933.

Photo via D.C. Memorials
1400 Quincy Street Northeast
Washington, DC 20017

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4 NYMPHS

In Dupont Circle, the nymphs at the fountain are meant to honor American naval officer Samuel Francis Du Pont. The three marble nymphs represent the sea, the stars, and the wind. This fountain was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Nickomargolies
Dupont Circle
Dupont Circle Northwest, Washington, DC 20036

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5 Vietnam Women's Memorial

The Vietnam Women's Memorial was built to honor the more than 260,000 women who served in the armed forces and nearly 10,000 women who served in-country during the Vietnam War. According to the Vietnam Women's Memorial Foundation, it's also meant to honor the women who lost loved ones in the war.

Photo via Cliff
Henry Bacon Drive Northwest
Washington, DC

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6 Serenity Statue

The Serenity Statue in Meridian Hill Park is meant to honor the Lietenant Commander of the U.S. Navy William Henry Scheutze. The women depicted sits on a rocky ledge with her foot resting on a broken sword. The statue has seen some better days as its nose and one of its hands are broken.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons/AgnosticPreachersKid
Meridian Hill Park
2400 15th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20008

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7 Bartholdi Fountain

Near the U.S. Botanic Garden, the Bartholdi Fountain features three sea nymphs with fish, sea shells, and coral at their feet. The creator of the fountain, Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, is also the designer of the Statue of Liberty.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons/USCapitol
100 Maryland Avenue Southwest
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 225-8333

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8 Mary Mcleod Bethune Memorial

Mary Mcleod Bethune was an educator who is known for starting a private school for African-American students in Daytona Beach, Florida. The statue of her depicts two statues of students beside her along with an inscription below her.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Rudi Williams for the US Military
East Capitol Street Northeast & 12th Street Northeast
Washington, DC 20002

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9 Guglielmo Marconi Memorial

In Mount Pleasant, this bronze statue features a bust of Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi along with a nude female figure sitting on a globe with one arm stretched in front of her, and the other arched beside her head. The artist Attilio Piccirilli intended for the woman to represent Marconi's contribution to science.

Photo via art around
16th Street Northwest & Lamont Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20010

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10 DAR Founders Statue

At Constitution Hall, there is a statue of a robed woman with her arms outstretched. This statue is meant to honor the founders of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons/AgnosticPreachersKid
18th Street Northwest & C Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20240

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[Iowa]

11 Daguerre Memorial

This bronze sculpture honors Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre, a French artist who invented the daguerreotype process of photography and is known as one of the fathers of photography. The memorial features a bust of him and a robed woman fawning over him.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Andrew Kuchling
800 F Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20004

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12 Kauffmann Memorial

In Rock Creek Cemetery, a bronze woman, representing "Memory," makes a wreath made out of flowers. Beside her is an urn and bronze panels depicting scenes from Shakespeare's "Seven Ages of Men" from As You Like It. The memorial is meant to honor American sculptor former owner of the Washington Star Samuel Kauffmann

Photo via Mr.TinDC
201 Allison Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20011

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13 McMillan Fountain

American artist Herbert Adams designed to memorialize Republican U.S. Senator from Michigan James McMillan. The bronze and granite fountain features The Three Graces, meant to represent "Splendor," "Mirth," and "Good Cheer."

Photo via Wikimedia Commons/US Federal Government
McMillan Reservoir
Howard University, Washington, DC 20001

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14 Nuns of the Battlefield

At the intersection of Rhode Island Avenue NW, M Street NW, and Connecticut Avenue NW, there is a monument to the more than 600 nuns who nursed soldiers during the American Civil War. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Carol M. Highsmith
Rhode Island Avenue Northwest & M Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20036

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15 Crouching Woman

This bronze sculpture was designed by French artist François-Auguste-René Rodin. The woman depicted is hunched over a rock with what looks like a painful expression on her face.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Gryffindor
Independence Avenue Southwest
Washington, DC

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16 Seated Woman

At the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, you can find Henry Moore's "Seated Woman." The English artist is known for monumental bronze sculptures, especially those depicting mothers and children or reclining figures. In this case, the statue is both reclining, a woman, and possibly pregnant.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Slowking4
Independence Avenue Southwest
Washington, DC

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17 Crown Princess Martha of Norway

Princess Märtha of Sweden is known for being the Crown Princess of Norway and the spouse of the future King Olav V. Her son, Harald V, is the currently reigning king of Norway. Her statue is outside the Embassy of Norway.

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2720 34th Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20008

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18 Black Aggie

This ominous, hooded woman was formerly located at the grave of General Felix Agnus in Maryland, but was relocated to Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C. The "Black Aggie" statue, also known as "Grief," has many urban legends attached. One urban legend is if someone spends a night in the statue's lap, they'll be haunted by the ghosts of those buried beneath her.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Pat Bailey
Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
Washington, DC 20006

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19 Boy Scout Memorial

The Boy Scout Memorial serves as a tribute to the Boy Scouts of America and was designed by American sculptor Donald De Lue. It is located just south of the White House and depicts a bronze Boy Scout, a woman holding a flame, and a nude man.

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1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Southeast
Washington, DC 20003

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20 Statue of Freedom

On top of the Capitol, there stands "The Statue of Freedom," otherwise known as "Armed Freedom" or "Freedom." Designed by Thomas Crawford, this statue features a robed woman wearing a military helmet with a sheathed sword in one hand and a laurel wreath in the other.

 

[Iowa]

[h=2]21 House of the Temple Sphinxes[/h] Two statues of sphinxes stand in front of The House of the Temple. The sphinxes represent power and wisdom. The building serves as the headquarters of the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in Washington, D.C.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Dan Vera
1733 16th Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20009

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[h=2]22 North America Statue[/h] On the east side of the Organization of American States building, you can find this marble statue. The statue is meant to represent North America and depicts a winged woman holding a torch with a man crouching beside her.

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Constitution Avenue Northwest & 17th Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20006

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[h=2]23 Puellae[/h] "Puellae" means "girls". This installation consists of 30 bronze headless figures designed by Polish sculptor Magdalena Abakanowicz. It is located at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden.

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National Mall
Constitution Avenue Northwest & 7th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20408

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[h=2]24 Armenian Earthquake[/h] On the north lawn of the American Red Cross National Headquarters, this is a bronze sculpture titled "Armenian Earthquake." The statue is meant to express gratitude to the aid provided following the 1988 Spitak earthquake.

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2025 E Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20006

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[h=2]25 Samuel Gompers Memorial[/h] This Beaux Arts sculpture features a crouched woman holding a child and a standing woman are featured beside two men shaking hands, a crouching man reading a book, and a winged man with a military helmet. The statue is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is meant to memorialize English-born American cigar maker and labor union leader Samuel Gompers.

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Massachusetts Avenue Northwest & 10th Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20001

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[h=2]26 Houser Memorial[/h] At Rock Creek Cemetery, this memorial is at the grave is Helen L. Houser and her daughter Anna Victoria Houser. The statue depicts the both of them in granite.

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Rock Creek Church Road Northwest & Webster Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20011

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[h=2]27 Frederick Keep Monument[/h] Designed by American artist James Earle Fraser, this monument is at the site of Frederick Keep, Florence Keep, and their child. The statue features both a bronze male and female standing with Roman-style drapery.

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Rock Creek Church Road Northwest & Webster Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20011

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[h=2]28 Rabboni[/h] "Rabboni," by Gutzon Borglum, serves as a tribute to Washington banker and tapestry collector Charles Matthews Ffoulke. The statue is of Mary Magdalene in long robes emerging from an alcove, meant to imply that she is recognizing Jesus as he rises from his tomb.

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Rock Creek Church Road Northwest & Webster Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20011

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[h=2]29 Adams Memorial[/h] The Adams Memorial depicts a hooded, seated woman. The statue serves as a memorial to the wife of author and historian Henry Adams. "Black Aggie" is a copy of this statue.

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Rock Creek Church Road Northwest & Webster Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20011

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[h=2]30 Heurich Mausoleum[/h] Four winged women stand at the corners of this granite mausoleum. The mausoleum holds the members of the Heurich family.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Wikipedia Saves Public Art
Rock Creek Church Road Northwest & Webster Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20011

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[Iowa]

30 Heurich Mausoleum

Four winged women stand at the corners of this granite mausoleum. The mausoleum holds the members of the Heurich family.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Wikipedia Saves Public Art
Rock Creek Church Road Northwest & Webster Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20011

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31 Mary, Protector of Faith

This limestone sculpture is located in Mary's Garden at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. It depicts Mary holding baby Jesus to her chest.

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The Catholic University of America
400 Michigan Avenue Northeast, Washington, DC 20017

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32 Teresina Vasco Monument

In Glenwood Cemetery, this is a statue of a female child on a rocking chair. The statue is atop a tombstone for Teresina Vasco.

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2219 Lincoln Road Northeast
Washington, DC 20002

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33 Saint Mother Théodore Guérin

Saint Mother Théodore Guérin founded numerous schools in the state of Indiana. At the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, you can find a statue of her.

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The Catholic University of America
400 Michigan Avenue Northeast, Washington, DC 20017

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34 The Court of Neptune Fountain

In front of the Library of Congress, there is a bronze fountain that features Neptune flanked by his sons and a nymph riding on a sea horse.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Daderot
Independence Avenue Southeast & First Street Southeast
Washington, DC 20540

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35 Peace Monument

The "Peace Monument" is also known as the "Naval Monument" and the "Civil War Sailors Monument." It serves tribute to the naval deaths at sea during the American Civil War. The statue depicts robed female figures, representing "Grief," "History," "Peace," and "Victory," along with the male figures, Mars and Neptune. The statue is located in Peace Circle on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol.

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Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
Washington, DC

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36 Victims of Communism Memorial

Two blocks from Union Station, this memorial is dedicated to "the more than one hundred million victims of communism." The woman statue is meant to be a replica of the Goddess of Democracy that was created during the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Smallbones
Massachusetts Avenue Northwest & New Jersey Avenue Northwest
Washington, DC 20001

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37 Darlington Memorial Fountain

In Judiciary Park, this gilded bronze statue depicts a nude nymph with a fawn. The memorial was named after Joseph J. Darlington, a lawyer in Washington, D.C.

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5th Street Northwest & D Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20549

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38 Apotheosis of Democracy

Built in 1916, the female statue, "Peace," stands as the focal point to the pediment of the Apotheosis of Democracy. Other figures include "Genius," "Agriculture," and "Industry." Other female figures include a mother and factory girl. The pediment is located on the U.S. Capitol House of Representatives portico's east front.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Andreas Praefcke
East Capitol Street Northeast & First Street Southeast
Washington, DC 20004

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39 Spirit of Justice

"Lady Justice" and her male counterpart "Majesty of Justice" are located in the Great Hall of the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice building. They're made out of cast aluminum.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Carol M. Highsmith
National Mall
Constitution Avenue Northwest & Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20565

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40 Contemplation of Justice

This statue was designed by American artist James Earle Fraser. It depicts a robed, seated woman holding what looks like a smaller woman in her hand.

 

[Iowa]

[h=2]41 Heritage Statue[/h] Designed by American artist James Earle Fraser, this statue is located at the south side of the National Archives. It depicts a partially nude woman with a child in one hand and a jug in the other.

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700 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
Washington, DC 20408

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[h=2]42 Olive Risley Seward[/h] This statue is made of lead on burlap and was designed by American artist John Cavanaugh. It depicts the foster daughter of William H. Seward, Olive Risley Seward.

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North Carolina Avenue Southeast & 6th Street Southeast
Washington, DC 20003

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[h=2]43 Present[/h] Ironically enough, this statue, "Present," is also known as "Future." It was designed by American artist Robert Ingersoll Aitken and stands in front of the National Archives Building. It is made of Indiana limestone.

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9th Street Northwest
Washington, DC

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[h=2]44 Spirit of Haida Gwaii[/h] The statue, "Spirit of Haida Gwaii, the Jade Canoe," is located outside the Embassy of Canada. It is meant to represent the Aboriginal heritage of the Haida Gwaii region in Canada.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Bengt Oberger
501 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
Washington, DC 20001

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[h=2]45 Young Girl on a Chair[/h] This bronze sculpture was designed by Italian artist Giacomo Manzu. It was completed 1955.

Photo via Jorge Elías
Independence Avenue Southwest
Washington, DC

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[h=2]46 Self‑Portrait with Model at Bergamo[/h] This Giacomo Manzu bronze sculpture was completed 1942, but was probably cast around 1948 to 1961.

Photo via Wally Gobetz
Independence Avenue Southwest
Washington, DC

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[h=2]47 Draped Reclining Figure[/h] This reclining woman was designed by English-born artist Henry Moore. You can find it at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.

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Independence Avenue Southwest
Washington, DC

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[h=2]48 King and Queen[/h] At the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, you can find this statue of a statue depicting a king and queen sitting. It was designed by Henry Moore.

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Independence Avenue Southwest
Washington, DC

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[h=2]49 Seated Yucatan Woman[/h] "Seated Yucatan Woman" is made of bronze and was designed by Mexican artist Francisco Zúñiga. It was completed 1973 and is located in the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.

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Independence Avenue Southwest
Washington, DC

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[h=2]50 Jane A. Delano[/h] A Curbed reader named Kemit notified Curbed that there were some sculptures mistakenly left off this map, one of which was the sculpture of Jane A. Delano, founder of Red Cross nursing and health services and leader of Red Cross nurses during World War I. The sculpture was dedicated in April 1933. It was also the first sculpture ever placed on the grounds of Red Cross Square.

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431 18th St NW
Washington, D.C. 20006

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