Posted on 09/04/2023 4:29:46 PM PDT by lowbridge
A year ago, the city of Philadelphia selected an artist to design a statue of Harriet Tubman that would stand in front of City Hall. However, the sculptor, Wesley Wofford, was unable to complete the statue. The city fired him shortly after his selection.
Philadelphia fired him for being white.
According to the New York Times, “incensed artists and community members argued that the city should have used a public selection process rather than awarding a commission, in part because the artist Philadelphia had selected was a white man.”
The critics demanded Philadelphia find a black sculptor instead, no matter their qualifications. The city ultimately acquiesced.
Philadelphia opened a call for submissions after firing the white man for his skin color. It then reviewed over 50 applications of only black artists. No white, Hispanic, or Asian sculptor was considered.
You’d think the black sculptors in contention to now design the Tubman statue would be ashamed, knowing they are only in the running because of their skin color.
But they aren’t.
Vinnie Bagwell, 65, is one of the five black semifinalists for the Tubman statue. And they are proud to see a white man lose his job over being white.
Bagwell said Philadelphia made the right choice because Tubman is “personal” to black people.
Artist Basil Watson also praised the decision to limit the applicants to only black artists.
“Some say that artists should have the freedom to pursue their vision on any subject regardless of their race or ethnicity, while others believe that identity and expression are inextricably linked and that art about Black people should only be created by someone who has shared their history,” added the Times.
-snip
Wofford’s firing cost him $500,000. That sum will now go to the eventual black artist the city selects
(Excerpt) Read more at outkick.com ...
They sure didn’t like it when they were excluded from lofe when their skin color didn’t fit the criteria.
The proper response should have been to cancel the project outright.
“This is why we can’t have nice things”
Summary execution of Whitey is coming.
Put the Rizzo statue back up.
Racism is racism in all forms.
Agree!
so...who are the racists again? I forget.
It was a noble experiment for many decades; seven decades at least.
I guess now even college professors don’t believe in it.
Possibly some school teachers still do.
They should get the blind chick who did the Lionel Richie bust in the video.
I plan to steer clear of them, unless I can't.
then woe betide.
exactly
Wofford should sue Philadelphia into oblivion.
I’m cancelling Harriet Tubman.
“Bagwell said Philadelphia made the right choice because Tubman is “personal” to black people.”
I suspect that 80% of hood ain’t got no idea who be Harriet Tubman.
Philadelphia is a dying city. Doesn’t matter, the job will never be fully completed. The city will go bankrupt
Philly can prepare themselves for another MLK laughing stock.
Precisely.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.