The ugly, hard-to-swallow truth is that New York — once the Dutch settlement of New Amsterdam — was the capital of American slavery for more than 200 years. So deep were the city’s ties to slavery and the South that Mayor Fernando Wood even suggested seceding from the Union at the start of the Civil War. For the last several years, however, artist Nona Faustine has worked to shine a light on New York City’s buried legacy of slavery via a striking series of self-portraits titled “White Shoes.” Keep reading about Nona Faustine in this story by Jackson Connor. All photos courtesy of Nona Faustine.
"Over My Dead Body," shot at New York City Hall, built atop an African burial ground.
"She Gave All She Could Give And They Still Ask For More"
"Of My Body I Will Make Monuments In Your Honor," shot at a Dutch pre-revolutionary cemetery in Brooklyn, where three slaves are buried among early settlers.
From Her Body Sprang Their Greatest Wealth," shot at the site of a Colonial era slave market on Wall Street.
"Like a Pregnant Corpse The Ship Expelled Her Into The Patriarchy," shot on the Atlantic coast in Brooklyn.
"I Was Brought Here To Stay"