The Washington National Cathedral unveiled its new stained glass windows Saturday that replace the historic panes with a woke theme dedicated to racial justice.
The previous windows showed episodes from the history of the United States and had been in the cathedral since 1953. Those that illustrated scenes from the Civil War were intended to promote reconciliation between the North and South.
The historic National Cathedral in Washington has replaced its stained glass windows honoring Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, with new windows featuring the theme of racial justice. pic.twitter.com/aSvHWEiHQb
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) September 24, 2023
The new windows, with much simpler and less detailed compositions, show black characters carrying signs that read "No" or "No Foul Play." The change is part of the "Now and Forever" project by artist Kerry James Marshall. The new artwork is displayed on four windows in the apse of the cathedral.
Washington National Cathedral now plays home to a powerful new stained-glass artwork by the internationally acclaimed artist Kerry James Marshall.
Check it out: https://t.co/ldTBE1c450
Now and Forever Windows
🎨#KerryJamesMarshall
📅2023
🏛️@wncathedral pic.twitter.com/R7phG6LMys— Google Arts&Culture (@googlearts) September 25, 2023
According to the creator, in statements reported by Breitbart, the change is intended to address a historic failure to fulfill the American promise of freedom and justice for all.
The changes were proposed in 2015 after a complaint about the old windows' content being deemed offensive. Randolph Marshall Hollerith, reverend and current dean of the cathedral, said that the old stained glass windows also posed an obstacle to the ministry of the cathedral.
⛪️ 🇺🇸 Washington National Cathedral unveils new stained glass windows to replace Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and “Stonewall” Jackson with BLM protestors. pic.twitter.com/oD3GQyqu2V
— Ryan Dawson (@RyLiberty) September 26, 2023
"They told a false narrative, extolling two individuals who fought to keep the institution of slavery alive in this country," said Rev. Hollerith according to Breitbart. "They were intended to elevate the Confederacy, and they completely ignored the millions of Black Americans who have fought so hard and struggled so long to claim their birthright as equal citizens."
