Washington National Cathedral replaces Confederate-themed glass windows with racial justice-themed glass.
OAN’s Abril Elfi
5:55 PM – Sunday, September 24, 2023
The Washington National Cathedral has unveiled its stunning new stained glass windows, which boldly depict a theme of racial justice. These windows replace the previous ones that honored Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson.
After six years, the Washington National Cathedral has finally revealed the replacements for the stained-glass windows that once honored Confederate Lee and Jackson. The new glass, titled ”Now and Forever,” centers around the powerful themes of racial and social justice. These breathtaking works of art were designed and created by the talented artist Kerry James Marshall.
The windows showcase a powerful scene of protesters marching and holding signs that boldly proclaim “Fairness” and “No Foul Play.”
During the unveiling, Marshall spoke passionately about the significance of this event, emphasizing that it represents a change in symbolism that aims to mend the breach in America’s promise of liberty. He stated, “The windows reinforce those ideals and aspirations embodied in the Cathedral’s structure and its mission to remind us that we can be better, and do better than we did yesterday, today.”
“Today’s event has been organized to highlight one instance where a change of symbolism is meant to repair a breach of America’s creation promise of liberty and justice for all,” he said. “The windows reinforce those ideals and aspirations embodied in the Cathedral’s structure and its mission to remind us that we can be better, and do better than we did yesterday, today.”
Although the Washington National Cathedral is owned by the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, it serves as a significant venue for national services.
The decision to remove the previous windows honoring Lee and Jackson was first considered in 2015, following the tragic shooting of nine Black churchgoers at Mother Emanuel AME in Charleston, South Carolina. The Very Reverend Randolph Marshall Hollerith, the current dean, expressed that the cathedral and America have evolved, stating, “Simply put, these windows were offensive, and they were a barrier to the ministry of this cathedral, and they were antithetical to our call to be a house of prayer for all people.”
“They told a false narrative, extolling two individuals who fought to keep the institution of slavery alive in this country,” Hollerith continued. “They were intended to elevate the Confederacy, and they completely ignored the millions of Black Americans who have fought so hard and struggled so long to claim their birthright as equal citizens.”
In 2016, the cathedral’s leadership voted to remove the Confederate flags from some of the windows and replace them with plain glass. The following year, in 2017, the windows were deconsecrated and removed from the cathedral. They are now being kept at the Cathedral.
After the killing of George Floyd in 2020, the cathedral leased the Robert E. Lee glass to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture for a year-long exhibit on the Jim Crow legacy.
Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
This week’s major headlines:
New Jersey Sen. Menendez indicted for bribery while Joe Biden claims he’s attended every mass shooting.
Illegal immigration under President Biden’s watch continues to surge, with alarming consequences.
Reports reveal the dangerous health risks associated with the influx of migrants in Texas.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States accuses Google of breaking the law in its quest for online dominance…
By John Revill ZURICH (Reuters) – ABB invests $280 million in a new robotics factory in Sweden…
PARIS (Reuters) – French Europe Minister welcomes EU’s anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles…
By Mathieu Rosemain and Silvia Aloisi PARIS (Reuters) – Apple’s iPhone 12 model receives international certification…
rnrn
How did the stained glass windows at the Washington National Cathedral contribute to a false narrative that ignored the struggles of Black Americans for equality and justice?
The Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. has recently unveiled its new stained glass windows, replacing the previous ones that honored Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. The new windows, titled “Now and Forever,” feature a theme of racial justice and were designed by artist Kerry James Marshall.
The unveiling of these stunning works of art comes after six years of planning and marks a significant change in symbolism for the cathedral. The previous windows were deemed offensive and a barrier to the cathedral’s mission of being a house of prayer for all people. The decision to replace them was first considered in 2015, following the tragic shooting of nine Black churchgoers at Mother Emanuel AME in Charleston, South Carolina.
During the unveiling ceremony, Kerry James Marshall spoke about the importance of this event and the symbolism behind the new windows. He emphasized that they represent a change in America’s promise of liberty and justice for all and that they aim to mend the breach in that promise. Marshall stated, “The windows reinforce those ideals and aspirations embodied in the Cathedral’s structure and its mission to remind us that we can be better, and do better than we did yesterday, today.”
The new stained glass windows depict a powerful scene of protesters marching and holding signs that boldly proclaim “Fairness” and “No Foul Play.” This imagery serves as a visual representation of the ongoing fight for racial and social justice. The Washington National Cathedral, owned by the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, plays a significant role as a venue for national services and events.
The replacement of the previous windows is a symbolic gesture that acknowledges the need for change in how we honor historical figures and confront the legacy of slavery in America. The Very Reverend Randolph Marshall Hollerith, the dean of the cathedral, expressed that the previous windows told a false narrative that glorified individuals who fought to keep slavery alive, while ignoring the struggles of Black Americans for equality and justice. He stated, “They were intended to elevate the Confederacy, and they completely ignored the millions of Black Americans who have fought so hard and struggled so long to claim their birthright as equal citizens.”
The unveiling of these new stained glass windows at the Washington National Cathedral is a significant step towards promoting racial justice and equality. Through art and symbolism, the cathedral is acknowledging the need to confront and learn from the past, while also promoting a more inclusive and equitable future for all. The powerful imagery depicted in the windows serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for justice and the importance of standing against oppression and discrimination.
In a world where symbols hold great meaning and influence, the replacement of these stained glass windows is a powerful statement that reflects the changing values and priorities of our society. It is a reminder that we must continuously strive for progress and betterment, both individually and as a nation. The Washington National Cathedral’s commitment to this change sets an example
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...