Governor Seay, Alabama, from "Governors, Arms, Etc." series (N133-1), issued by Duke Sons & Co. 1885 - 1892

This small chromolithograph from the late 19th century by W. Duke, Sons & Co., depicts Governor Seay of Alabama alongside images representing the state. It’s important to remember that this was the era of Reconstruction and the rise of Jim Crow. Here, we see how identity, race, and economics are deeply intertwined. The inclusion of a Black cotton worker alongside the phrase "Cotton, the Principal Industry" reinforces the economic system built on the exploitation of Black labor. Juxtapose this with the image of Governor Seay, a figure of authority, and the state's coat of arms. This small card becomes a powerful statement about who holds power and at whose expense. The steamboat symbolizes progress, yet it also evokes the transportation of goods produced by exploited labor. These symbols, charged with meaning, prompt us to reflect on the narratives that are both celebrated and suppressed in our history.