South Carolina is set to erect its first individual statue for an African American on its Statehouse lawn, commemorating the remarkable life of Robert Smalls. Smalls, a courageous figure from the Civil War era, is being honored not only for his daring escape from slavery but also for his significant contributions to politics and civil rights.
Robert Smalls' legacy includes his audacious act of commandeering a Confederate ship to sail his family and others to freedom, his tenure in the U.S. House, and his efforts to secure equality for Black men in South Carolina post-Civil War. Despite facing setbacks when racist forces regained power, Smalls continued to advocate for education and civil rights.
