Alright, let me tell you about my little adventure with the Arthur Ashe monument in Richmond. So, I’d heard about this statue and thought, “Why not check it out?” It’s not every day you see a monument of a tennis player mixed in with all those Civil War generals, right?
First off, I did a bit of digging online to get the backstory. I found out that this bronze statue of Arthur Ashe, the tennis legend who was born and raised in Richmond, was made by a guy named Paul DiPasquale. Apparently, he’d met Ashe back in ’92 and got the go-ahead to design this statue.
So, I headed over to Monument Avenue. It’s this big street with a bunch of historical statues, but the Arthur Ashe one really stands out. It’s on this 16-foot granite pedestal, right at the intersection with Roseneath Road. You can’t miss it. The statue itself is about 12 feet tall, and there’s Ashe, holding his tennis racket like a boss.
Now, I learned that getting this statue up wasn’t all smooth sailing. There was a whole debate back in ’93 about where to put it and what it should look like. People from all over Virginia were chiming in with their two cents. It was quite the hot topic, I guess. And it seems like the city of Richmond only recently handed over the ownership of these fallen memorials to the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia. Now, they’re the ones calling the shots on what happens to them.
I also found out that Ashe was born in a segregated hospital in Richmond back in ’43. Growing up, he faced all kinds of discrimination, but he still became this amazing tennis star. This statue is kind of a big deal because Monument Avenue used to be all about segregation and inequality for Black folks. Ashe’s presence there is like a symbol of change.
- Walked around the monument, taking it all in.
- Took some photos.
- Read the inscription on the west side. It’s a quote about running with endurance, which I thought was pretty fitting for Ashe.
But get this – some people think the statue looks a bit odd. There’s even a list somewhere that calls it one of the “unintentionally horrifying statues of famous people.” I mean, art is subjective, right? Personally, I think it’s cool that Ashe is there, breaking up the monotony of all those old war heroes.
Anyway, I spent a good hour just hanging around, taking pictures, and soaking up the history. It’s a powerful spot, especially knowing everything that’s happened in Richmond over the years. The fact that Ashe’s statue is now part of this big conversation about what to do with these monuments is pretty significant. It’s like, history is still being written, you know?
To wrap it up:
Visiting the Arthur Ashe monument was definitely a memorable experience. It’s not just a statue; it’s a piece of history, a symbol of change, and a conversation starter. If you’re ever in Richmond, I’d say it’s worth checking out. Just be prepared for some mixed feelings and a whole lot of history.
