Art Exhibit Honors Black Civil War Soldiers, Promotes Human Rights

The United for Human Rights art exhibit, a collaborative effort between the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office, Youth for Human Rights International's Washington, DC chapter, and Art Impact International, recently captivated audiences at the historic Fraser Mansion. This pop-up exhibition, part of the monthly First Friday: Art Walk Dupont Circle, featured "Bloom," a commissioned artwork honoring the African-American men who fought in the Civil War. The event drew notable figures including Dr. Frank Smith, founder of the African-American Civil War Museum and a civil rights activist who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who delivered a powerful keynote address. Dr. Smith highlighted the pivotal moment in 1863 when President Lincoln allowed Black soldiers to join the Union Army, leading approximately 200,000 Black men—mostly former slaves—to serve, which he described as a turning point that allowed them to fight for their own freedom while aiding the Union cause.

Dr. Smith also shared a poignant personal anecdote about encountering Dr. King at an airport, where King advised him to "Never hang up your marching shoes"—a message that inspired Smith's subsequent career as a DC City Councilmember and museum founder. The exhibit immersed guests in history with a period-authentic Black Union soldier in full uniform and showcased various artworks focused on human rights and civil rights themes. Marcus Manning, Deputy Director of the DC Mayor's office on African American Affairs, attended and expressed gratitude to the artists, while Azhar Haq, Executive Director of Youth for Human Rights International's DC chapter, emphasized the role of art in advocacy, stating, "Art speaks for itself… Through this event we can get the word out on human rights, particularly to youth so they become advocates for tolerance and peace."

In addition to the visual displays, free educational materials on the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights were distributed by Youth for Human Rights International, reinforcing their mission to disseminate human rights awareness. These resources, available at www.youthforhumanrights.org, aim to inform and unite individuals across society. The exhibit underscored the enduring relevance of historical struggles for freedom and the power of artistic expression in promoting social justice, connecting past civil rights movements with contemporary human rights education through engaging community events like Art Walk Dupont.