Daisy Bates and Johnny Cash Statues to Replace Confederate Figures at U.S. Capitol

The unveiling of Daisy Bates' statue marks a significant shift in Arkansas' representation, reflecting a broader movement to honor civil rights and cultural icons.

Daisy Bates, a key figure in the desegregation of Arkansas schools, and Johnny Cash, a music legend, are the new faces representing Arkansas at the National Statuary Hall.
The statues replace those of Uriah Rose and James Clarke, figures with ties to Confederate sympathies and white supremacist policies.
The change comes amid a wider trend of reassessing public monuments to better reflect contemporary values and historical truths.
Sculptor Benjamin Victor highlighted the importance of the replacements, noting they represent a move towards acknowledging and correcting past injustices.
The installation of these statues not only alters the physical landscape of the Capitol but also symbolizes a deeper recognition of diverse American contributions.