Owner shares reason behind controversial Elkhart Black History Month display
ELKHART, Ind. — A Black History Month display in Elkhart generated a lot of buzz in the community and on social media Friday, with many community members having questions.
The display was inside a window of the Southside Gallery. It depicted a mannequin hanging from a rope with what resembles a Ku Klux Klan (KKK) hood sitting next to it.
For many community members, like Dennis Heiliger, the display filled them with various emotions, “I seen an image of… black history in a nutshell. And it made me feel uncomfortable, especially in the time that our country and society and world is”.
That was the goal for the owner of Southside Gallery, Reyna Phiri. She has many titles, including historian, curator, and Elkhart native.
After putting up the display, Phiri got many calls and people showing up to the gallery, like Heiliger, to understand what was going on. She explained the display was sparked after seeing the events unfolding in Minneapolis lately.
“They thought it was a Caucasian person in here that had displayed that, but I displayed it because I’m saying never forget… I am a military veteran and I’m also a nurse, so I cried when I heard about Alex Pretti, and I thought what can I do to wake people up?” said Phiri.
The Elkhart Police Department did get a call for a welfare check on a possible hanging man on Monday and after speaking with Phiri, Heiliger said he thinks putting context with the display would be helpful for the community but finds the message powerful.
“Well, it makes absolute sense. I understand that she wants people to be uncomfortable and take a look at the big picture and reflect and try to have some clarification and understanding and respect moving forward,” expressed Heiliger.
Phiri explained she does plan to put a sign above the display to make it clear it’s for Black History Month but hopes the reminder of the history and fear people of color carry each and every day will help spark conversations.
“A lot of men of color don’t climb trees, you know, and I can’t do anything else but be a voice for them, you know… don’t forget,” shared Phiri.