The AMNH Should Erect a Statue of Teddy Roosevelt & Booker T. Washington

Yesterday the American Museum of Natural History announced that it would be removing a statue of Teddy Roosevelt which has stood in front of the museum for 80 years.

The statue depicts the 26th President on a horse. To his left is a black man and to his right is a Native American man. Over the years there has been criticism the statue presents the black man and the Native American as subservient to Roosevelt. The AMNH issued a statement regarding its decision which concluded:

We recognize that more work is needed to better understand not only the Statue, but our own history. As we strive to advance our institutions, our City's, and our country's passionate quest for racial justice, we believe that removing the Statue will be a symbol of progress and of our commitment to build and sustain an inclusive and equitable Museum community and broader society.

For its part, the AMNH states it is not distancing itself from Roosevelt and is planning to name the museum's hall of biodiversity after him.

But what the AMNH hasn't stated is what will replace the statue.

For this I have a modest proposal.

Why not erect a statue of Teddy Roosevelt and Booker T. Washington dining together at the White House in 1901?

Born into slavery, Washington would become a successful businessman and became best known as the founder of the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. Washington would become an influential national figure and had the ear of President Roosevelt. So much so that he invited Washington to dine with his family in October 1901. While African-American leaders had met privately with previous Presidents this was the first time a public meeting was acknowledged between an American President and a black man.

Sadly, there was a tremendous uproar about the dinner and Washington was denounced in the most vicious manner possible. Even more lamentable President Roosevelt never invited Washington to the White House again although he would continue to seek his advice and counsel.

Yet it illustrates the struggle of racial equality. With every step forward comes two, perhaps ten steps back.

While one might argue that Teddy Roosevelt was cowardly in not inviting Washington back to the White House it is too easy to casually dismiss him as a racist and attempt to expunge or at least cloister him from the view of American history. If Roosevelt was nothing more than a racist then why would he seek out Washington's advice and counsel much less invite him to dine with his family?

Equality - racial or otherwise - never comes easily and when it does can be fleeting. But Teddy Roosevelt and Booker T. Washington did have a meeting of the minds and I believe this is a symbol of progress in keeping with the mission of the American Museum of Natural History. As such I believe the American Museum of Natural History should commission a statue of Roosevelt & Washington breaking bread as equals.