The Write Up: Plan for memorial honoring black patriots stalls in Congress

Plan for memorial honoring black patriots stalls in Congress
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thewriteup on 24 August, 2008 04:19:00
 
Most accounts of the Revolutionary War give the impression that America’s
independence from Britain was won by brave white men. Maurice Barboza of
Alexandria, Virginia wants to tell the rest of the story. The former lobbyist is
trying to revive an effort to build the first monument on the National Mall
honoring black colonial soldiers.
Congress first approved the idea for a memorial honoring enslaved and free
black Revolutionary War soldiers and a prominent site for the project more than
20 years ago. After years of planning, the idea languished due to fundraising
and management problems. Currently, Barboza is trying to convince the National
Park Service and Congress to give the memorial another chance.
Some Senate and House members are supporting Barboza’s group, the National
Mall Liberty Fund D.C., but it’s unlikely their measures will make much
progress this congressional year.