Campus Commentary #2

With These Hands, We Hold Space

Davidson College has to become the place that it tells the world it wants to be in order to address injustices and develop the people that will fight for them. “Alenda Lux Ubi Orta Libertas,” which translates to “Let Learning Be Cherished Where Liberty Has Arisen,” is carved into the front of Davidson’s main academic building on campus. Davidson expresses the importance of learning without oppression, but has oppressed the opportunity of freedom and education in the lives of many African Americans. “Liberty” cannot happen without bringing light to the injustices that created opportunities for some, while strictly limiting the opportunities of others. On Thursday, October 23rd, 2025, Davidson College dedicated With These Hands: A Memorial to the Enslaved and Exploited, to commemorate and acknowledge the history of African American labor on its campus.

The dedication of With These Hands provided a platform for people to describe their role in the creation of the memorial, and their hope for current and future implications of providing justice to those Davidson has harmed. Among some of the speakers were members of the memorial’s committee, the design artist Hank Willis Thomas, and poet Clint Smith. The audience was also addressed by current college President Doug Hicks, who continued pushing this memorial work initiated by previous college president Carol Quillen. Every voice invited attendees to open their hands and their hearts in honor of those who endured the horrible reality of enslavement, and its lasting effects on families and individuals. 

Both community members and the families of enslaved and exploited African Americans were invited to share what the dedication and memorialization meant to them. This aspect of the dedication was especially impactful in addressing the lasting impact of Davidson’s wrongdoings. Davidson College acknowledged exploitation does not remain as something that happened “back then” and “in the past.” Families were and are harmed. African Americans were required to labor with little to no wages. They were required to work every day in a location where they were not allowed to get an education. By giving space to current community and family members, Davidson College reinforced the lasting impacts of its actions and, in turn, the importance of addressing them. 

For many generations, Davidson College denied the freedom and liberty of many African Americans without holding any space for the realities and the truths of its dehumanization. With These Hands gives space for new conversations to arise. While the actions of Davidson College may have stripped many of their humanity, the enlarged hands design encapsulates viewers into a humanity that is unavoidable. The same hands that carried books, carried bags, and carried student’s laundry are the same hands that tower over the installation’s viewers. It is not difficult to see our own hands in relation to the ones installed into the ground with its intentionally realistic design. The realism of the hands has encouraged conversations about the dedication in student organizations, class assignments, and through the shared experiences that took place during the week of the memorial’s dedication. 

The memorial will always take up physical space on the Davidson College campus. It is centered in Oak Row and is in close proximity to both Davidson’s Main Street and the railroad that has historically divided the Davidson community. The dedication and memorial will take up space in people’s minds as they continue to walk or drive past it. Viewers will be faced with challenged humanity every time they are within its space. It will take up space in people’s conversations. While some criticism of the memorial may arise, it is still encouraging conversations about Davidson’s exploitation and enslavement that would not have happened otherwise. The dedication and memorial are just first steps. Davidson College cannot end with this installation. It needs to continue opening up spaces to address the injustices that have built it.