This painting, entitled Conquest of freedom, is an essay of the Civil Rights movement. The people shown, serve as icons for a particular element of the Negro's struggle for freedom.  The Civil Rights movement is an important part of American history and probably one of the more important moments in 20th century history.

Our constitution's preamble contains eloquent words in describing the role of government.  Moreover, our Declaration of Independence uses even more eloquent words in describing freedom and defining what role that government should play in maintaining freedom.  These words have become beacon lights of hope in the hearts of people around the world.

So to America they came.  They came from countries ruled by despots and monarchs and dictators, places where freedom was just another intangible truth which had no meaning.  To America they came. They read that plaque and the words burned in their hearts.
 

"Give me your tired, your poor.  Your huddled masses yearning to breath free. Your wretched refuse on your teaming shore. Send these the homeless tempest tossed to me.  I lift my lamp upon the golden door."

These people whose sweat gave value to the American dollar in the form of trade with Europe in commodities such as cotton.  In fact, the very people, whose lives, hopes, dreams, and aspirations were shattered through involuntary servitude, played a key part in the financial establishment of America.  However, these people had no protection from the government that was made strong by their labors.

The eloquent words of the Declaration of Independence, nor of the constitution gave them any rights as enjoyed by the millions of immigrants who came to this land for freedom.  The Civil Rights Movement brought such hypocrisy to the light of the world theater where men were forced take a long hard look at what freedom in our country really means.

If involuntary servitude was to be justified and the consequences experienced by the posterity of the slave, then might makes right.  In a world where might makes right, the Boston Tea Party becomes a criminal act.  If might makes right, the words of The Declaration of Independence become simple lofty statements.  If might makes right, despots such as Adolf Hitler have a right to pursue conquest territories to build their empires.

The Civil Rights Movement forced us to look at the creeds by which we lived and ask hard questions of ourselves.  Presidents were forced to look at the issue of freedom.  Neighbors had to look at it.  Workers pondered it.  Dr Martin Luther King brought it to light in his I Have a Dream speech he stated:

"The Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and the Negro in New York has nothing for which to vote."

"When government becomes destructive to these ends, then it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it (government).

Elements were at work to undermine the American government.  In fact, the American people's worst enemy was the ideologies the American people themselves.  If freedom and equity could not be realized by the American Negro, then what would guaranty the same rights for non-Negros?  In a world where might makes right, freedom to any group of people depended on which community held power.  What then would happen to freedom of non-Negros when the majority becomes the minority as forecasted to happen in the mid 21st century.

This painting asks you to examine such questions.  The contemporaries of The Civil Rights Movement had to take a long hard look at this problem.  If we are to guarantee longevity of the American government, then we must effect policies and laws that build on eternal truths such as freedom, justice, and equality.  History tells us that flawed governments eventually fall.  We have seen such happen in our lifetime.  We must work to preserve the American government for our posterity.