More than 15,000 fans have signed a petition for a statue of Chadwick Boseman to replace a Confederate monument in the late actor’s hometown of Anderson, South Carolina.
The petition for a Chadwick Boseman statue centres on the racist Confederate monument that stands in front of the Anderson courthouse. It was launched by an anonymous Anderson resident; addressing to Anderson Mayor, the South Carolina state Senate, the South Carolina House and South Carolina Governor. Officials would need to sign off on the original statue’s removal.
The petitioner wrote that there is “no need for political controversy in this decision”. The petition further said that the current statue would be better in the Anderson County Museum; where it could be accompanied by an explanation of its history and the reasoning for its relocation.
“With Chadwick Boseman’s early passing, it is important that we honour a true local legend [by] immortalizing him in stone in front of the courthouse,” the petition reads.
“With help from the signers of this petition, I hope that it becomes apparent how popular this idea is. It is time to unify Anderson around a true local hero; time to honour all South Carolinians, not just the ideals of a few. Rest In Peace Chadwick Boseman.”
Death
Chadwick Boseman was 43 years old when he died of colon cancer, his representative announced last Friday. Throughout his career, the actor developed a reputation for playing towering real-life figures. This includes Ernie Davis in The Express: The Ernie Davis Story; Jackie Robinson in 42, James Brown in Get on Up, and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall in Marshall.
However, Boseman is most popular for starring as King T’Challa in Black Panther; an iconic role that finally allowed Black children to see themselves represented on the big screen in a super-heroic way.