A long-overdue honor for a true American hero!

Robert Smalls, born into slavery in 1839 in Beaufort, South Carolina, is finally receiving the recognition his extraordinary life deserves (AP News). A courageous freedom fighter and visionary leader, Smalls is best remembered for a daring act during the Civil War: disguised in Confederate uniforms, he commandeered a slaveholder’s ship and sailed his family—and at least a dozen other enslaved people—to freedom, delivering the vessel to Union forces. His actions not only secured his loved ones’ liberation but also became a powerful symbol of resistance against slavery (Smithsonian).

Following the war, Smalls used the money he earned from turning over the ship to the Union to purchase his former master’s house, a bold act of reclamation and resilience. He then turned his attention to politics, serving a decade in the South Carolina House of Representatives and Senate, where he fought tirelessly for the rights of Black men. Among his notable accomplishments was helping to rewrite South Carolina’s Constitution to establish equality and voting rights for African American men, laying foundations for a more just post-war society (NPR).

Now, more than a century after his death in 1915, Smalls is being honored as the first African American in South Carolina to receive a monument on the Statehouse lawn—a symbolic recognition of his bravery, leadership, and lifelong dedication to justice.

“The man has done so many great things, it’s just a travesty he has not been honored until now,” said Democratic South Carolina Representative Jermaine Johnson. “Heck, it’s also a travesty there isn’t some big Hollywood movie out there about his life.”

For years, efforts to establish a statue in Smalls’ honor faced repeated obstacles. But earlier this year, a proposal was finally approved unanimously by both the state House and Senate, with bipartisan support including Republican Representative Brandon Cox.

“South Carolina is a great state. We’ve got a lot of history, good and bad. This is our good history,” Cox remarked, reflecting on the importance of commemorating figures like Smalls.

A special committee has been tasked with deciding the monument’s design, location, and funding, with a deadline of January 15th to finalize plans. While the specifics remain under discussion, the legislative hurdles have been cleared, and many South Carolinians are celebrating the milestone.

“This is going to tell a story. I think it is important that we tell it the right way—to honor him and to honor South Carolina,” said Republican Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey.

Smalls’ life story—from enslaved laborer to wartime hero and political trailblazer—remains an enduring testament to courage, ingenuity, and the fight for justice. This monument, long overdue, ensures that his legacy will inspire generations to come.