Last year I visited several places that honored the difficulties faced by slaves in St. Mary's County., MD. I think these images commemorate the emancipation of slaves (or the hardship of slaves), when slaves were declared free in 1865. It is a certainly past time for African Americans to be treated with the respect they deserve.
Commemorative to Enslaved Peoples of Southern Maryland at St. Mary's College of Maryland
Slave cabin at Sotterley Plantation