Artist and Anderson native Herman Keith Jr. has a vision to “take the story to the people” in a powerful way to educate, evoke empathy and inspire movement toward a more just society. He and his team have constructed a world-class traveling exhibit that will be on display through February at Anderson University.
Keith was commissioned by Anderson Area Remembrance and Reconciliation Initiative to create a statue commemorating victims of racial lynching in Anderson County between 1894 and 1911. The exhibit has been on display at various sites around Anderson County.
The focus of the exhibit is a structure Keith fashioned out of wood and metal, designed to be in harmony with the art installation in tribute to the Anderson County victims at the Equal Justice Initiative.
A gathering to remember
A gathering and unveiling event will take place September 21 at Anderson University, starting with a program at 5:30 p.m. in the Daniel Recital Hall of the Rainey Fine Arts Center. The program will include five history readings—each telling the story of one of the victims. This will be followed by a ceremony to unveil the sculpture on the second floor of Thrift Library.
About the AAR&RI:
In early 2020, a group of community members in Anderson County, South Carolina formed the Anderson Area Remembrance and Reconciliation Initiative (AAR&RI). The goal of the initiative is to honor the five known victims of racial terror in Anderson County by reflecting honestly on the history and legacy of racial and economic injustice. AAR&RI is working in partnership with the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama, to raise awareness and inspire action through dialogue, community education and public memorials to eliminate health and social disparities and move us toward the goal of a “Beloved Community” for all.
Details can be found at RemembranceAnderson.org.