The United for Human Rights art exhibition in Washington, DC celebrated Black History Month with a focus on African-American contributions to the Civil War and ongoing human rights education. Co-hosted by the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office, Youth for Human Rights International's Washington, DC chapter, and Art Impact International, the event featured a commissioned artwork titled "Bloom" that specifically honored the African-American men who fought in the Civil War.
Dr. Frank Smith, founder of the African-American Civil War Museum in Washington, DC and a civil rights activist who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., provided historical context during the exhibition opening. He explained that President Lincoln allowed Black soldiers to be recruited into the Union Army in 1863 after the war was not going well for the Union side, with Gettysburg representing a serious incursion into Northern territory. Approximately 200,000 Black men, mostly former slaves, subsequently served as Union soldiers, creating what Dr. Smith described as a turning point in the war that allowed former slaves to fight for their own freedom while helping the Union cause.
Dr. Smith also shared a personal story about encountering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at an airport while traveling to Washington, DC for a new job. When Smith told King he was "hanging up his marching shoes," King responded, "Never hang up your marching shoes." This advice influenced Smith's subsequent career as a DC City Councilmember and his current role as founder and director of the African-American Civil War Museum.
The exhibition, held at the historic Fraser Mansion as part of the monthly First Friday: Art Walk Dupont Circle, featured a period-authentic Black Union soldier in full uniform alongside artwork focused on human rights and civil rights themes. Marcus Manning, Deputy Director of the DC Mayor's office on African American Affairs, attended the event and thanked the artists for their contributions to the community.
Azhar Haq, Executive Director of Youth for Human Rights International's DC chapter, emphasized the role of art in human rights 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." The organization provided free educational materials on the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights to attendees, with these resources also available at www.youthforhumanrights.org. Additional information about the organization's activities can be found at https://www.facebook.com/YHRDC.
The exhibition represents a convergence of historical education, artistic expression, and human rights advocacy during Black History Month. By highlighting the contributions of African-American soldiers to the Civil War while connecting this history to contemporary human rights education, the event demonstrates how historical awareness can inform current social justice efforts. The availability of free educational materials through Youth for Human Rights International provides accessible resources for community members interested in learning more about fundamental human rights protections.
Art Walk Dupont, which hosts this type of cultural experience regularly, brings free art exhibits to galleries, embassies, and cultural centers throughout the historic Dupont Circle neighborhood, creating ongoing opportunities for community engagement with art and social issues. The integration of historical perspective with human rights education in this exhibition offers a model for how cultural institutions can address both past injustices and current social challenges through collaborative programming.
