Who Deserves a Monument?

Who Deserves a Monument? Season One Trailer

When a city has a chance to rewrite its history, what stories should it tell? This is the true story of five remarkable unsung heroes from American history, told by their family members, historians, artists, and politicians. Hosted by Sarah Lohnes. A production of Booksmart Media. 

Episode 1: How Did We Get Here?

In some American cities, citizens are joining forces to tear down Confederate monuments themselves. In others, officials are taking action to protect and preserve them forever. How have tragic events and mass protests galvanized people on both sides of the debate? And, whose history is really being erased?

Episode 2: A Sweet Opportunity

When Baltimore's Mayor removed four Confederate monuments in the cover of darkness, an opportunity emerged to honor new ideas, new heroes. Listen in as students from City Neighbors High School decide for themselves who deserves a monument in their city. 

Episode 3: William Parker's Rebellion at Christiana

How did an orphaned, teenage runaway slave ignite the largest treason trial in U.S. history, pave the way for the Civil War and maybe even play a role in President Lincoln’s assassination? Featuring William Frederick Parker, Bryan Prince, Dave Taylor and Dennis Neal. 

Episode 4: Frances Ellen Watkins Harper's Free Land

When the dominant narrative fails, one woman becomes the counter narrative. Her words awaken a nation to the humanity of enslaved and free African Americans during a pivotal time. Featuring Amanda S.C. Gorman, Melba Joyce Boyd, Martha S. Jones, and Sonya Marie Pouncy. 

Episode 5: The Afro-American's Frontpage News

This is the story of the skillful drumbeat of legal action that chipped away at the idea of separate but equal. It’s about a community of fearless leaders, with one family, and one newspaper, at the center. Profiling John H. Murphy, Sr., and Carl Murphy. Featuring Toni Draper, Savannah Wood, David Taft Terry, and Dennis Halpin. 

Episode 6: Victorine Adams and the Swing Vote

In the 1930s, Baltimore was run by a powerful political boss named Jack Pollack, and African Americans were largely shut out of politics. This is the story of the woman who changed all that, one housewife, one doorbell, and one meeting at a time. Featuring Ida Jones, David Taft Terry, Mark Cheshire, Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke. 

Episode 7: Irene Morgan's Ride for Freedom

Rosa Parks wasn’t the first to refuse her seat on a bus. Eleven years prior, an ordinary mother named Irene Morgan took a brave stand that set a movement in motion. Listen to learn everything you've missed. Featuring Brenda Bacquie, Janine Bacquie, Raymond Arsenault, Robin Washington, Irene Morgan, and Rosa Parks. 

Episode 8: How We Remember

Is a monument the only (or best) way to remember a life well lived? Check in with students, activists, and civic leaders- and pretty much everyone else you've heard from in the podcast- for the many creative ways they are building and teaching the legacies of our heroes. Learn what's bad about textbooks, what can be great about monuments, and whether the Gorsuches and Parkers have made amends. Featuring Tianna Hunt, Callie Brizzi, Noel Flournoy, Ryan Patterson, and Owen Silverman Andrews.