This week’s specific topic on museums, monuments, and contested meanings brought to mind the bus head statue here at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU). During my freshman orientation tour, I learned the statue was erected to honor a football player who tragically died due to segregated medical care in Prairie View. This statue not only carries the weight of the school’s history but serves as a reminder of the racist history of America, highlighting the unacceptable tragedies and lives lost to racism.

The bus head statue symbolizes more than just a memorial; it embodies the struggles and sacrifices of African Americans in a segregated society. The statue represents the racial barriers that prevented him from receiving timely medical care, ultimately leading to his untimely death. This narrative brings forth the harsh realities of segregation, where access to necessities like healthcare was unjustly denied based on race. 

The placement of the bus head statue near the Alta Vista Plantation’s “Big House,” where the master and his family once resided, adds another layer of meaning. This juxtaposition creates a powerful commentary on the historical context of PVAMU, which was established on the grounds of a former plantation. It’s a poetic statement acknowledging the past while symbolizing progress and resilience. The statue serves as a constant reminder of the university’s complex history and its commitment to honoring those who suffered under the oppressive system of slavery and segregation. Monuments like the bus head statue are a focal point for reflection, dialogue, and education. They prompt us to confront uncomfortable truths about our past and to consider how these historical injustices continue to impact our present. The bus head statue, in particular, encourages us to remember the lives lost to racism and to reaffirm our commitment to creating a more just and equitable society for all.