Alabama Quote by Michael W. Twitty
““Whatever archive or courthouse we visited in Huntsville left one impression on me above all others. There was a huge mural tracing Alabama history. It started with the Native Americans - the Cherokees in the Northeast, the Creeks across the East, the Choctaws in the Southwest, and the Chickasaws in the Northwest. It then moved on to planter after judge after governor after businessman, as if that's all Alabama history was - a series of successful white men who came after the removal of noble, civilized, but still-in-the-way savages. There was not one black man or woman on that mural. For all of our suffering and sacrifice, turmoil and toil, it was like we never even existed, or - better yet - built Alabama.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Lecture on Southern History, 2019, University of Alabama
The mural glorifies white male figures while erasing Black contributions, revealing a biased historical narrative that marginalizes African American experiences.
In simple terms: History presented as only white men, ignoring Black people.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and include omitted voices in history.
Themes
history
race
representation
memory
identity
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
historical
social commentary
cultural critique
When to use this quote
- museum tours
- educational curricula
- public monuments
- community discussions
- heritage projects
Key Concepts
colonialism
historical erasure
racial bias
Questions to Reflect On
- How does selective memory shape identity?
- What steps can restore inclusive narratives?
A Different Perspective
The mural may reflect the era's prevailing attitudes, not intentional exclusion.
