74 Canal, Sojourner Truth’s Home
Nona Faustine’s Sojourner Truth, 74 Canal St. brings attention to a part of Black history that is no longer physically visible. Sojourner Truth once lived on 74 Canal Street, despite Sojourner Truth being an integral part of history, her home was not preserved or memorialized. The lack of care for Black’s role in history is apparent in the absence of Sojourner Truth’s home. In the above image, Faustine has placed her own body at the location where Sojourner Truth once lived, in efforts of creating a living monument of the site. The use of her own body also makes the history feel much more personal and relatable to today. Instead of simply showing the location, she becomes part of the landscape, holding up a sign that reads, “Ar’nt I a Woman.” She is referencing one of Sojourner Truth’s famous speeches at a women’s rights convention, bringing her memory to life. This connects strongly to the African Burial Ground because both places show how Black history can be physically erased from New York. These places are an important part of the city’s history and we must make an effort to keep their history alive.
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