Worn But Not Out
As the sun began to set on another long day of protesting, the exhausted protester trudged through the streets of Memphis, his feet aching and his voice hoarse from shouting. He was tired and worn, but he refused to give up and quit. He had come too far and sacrificed too much to quit now. With every step, he pushed himself harder, driven by a fierce determination to see the strike through to the end and be a catalyst for change.
A limited edition release by Edwin Lester inspired by the Memphis Sanitation Strike of 1968.Â
The Memphis sanitation strike was a pivotal moment in American civil rights history. In 1968, black sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee went on strike to protest their low wages and dangerous working conditions. They also demanded the right to unionize, which had been denied to them for years. The workers faced violent opposition. Despite these challenges, the strike continued, and the workers’ resilience and determination ultimately led to significant improvements in their working conditions and wages, as well as the recognition of their union.
The protest signs held by some of the protestors read “I Am a Man,” which became a powerful symbol of the workers’ struggle for dignity and respect. The sign was a response to the dehumanizing treatment that the workers had endured for years. By asserting their humanity and demanding to be treated as men, the workers were asserting their right to be treated with respect and equality.
From Edwin Lester’s Uncolored series. A series about color without color. It depicts the historical struggles of African Americans in the United States as they worked for freedom, justice, and equality.
This work of art was selected and featured on the cover of the Civil Rights Trail 2023 Travel Guide.
Limited edition. Available on paper or canvas. Ships signed and numbered and with a certificate of authenticity from the artist. A member of Edwin Lester’s “Uncolored” Series.
Giclee on Paper:Â 36×27Â inches (Size) –Â 35 pieces (Edition Size)
Giclee on Canvas:Â 36×27 inches (Size) –Â 35 pieces (Edition Size)
