The American Atheist group posted a slave billboard in response to a unanimous Pennsylvania State Legislature resolution declaring 2012, "The Year of the Bible." The controversial billboard depicts a slave with a spiked metal collar around his neck, and it says, "Slaves, obey your masters." This quote is a reference to Bible verse Colossians 3:22.
Several groups including the Pennsylvania Council of Churches, the American Civil Liberties Union, and American Atheists are working to repeal Pennsylvania's "Year of the Bible" resolution, but many believe this slave billboard takes the message too far.
Because slave owners used the Bible as a justification for American slavery, many people believe the Bible is an outdated and inappropriate reference for the Pennsylvania State Legislature. However, this billboard in Harrisburg, PA has created much tension in the local community. Pennsylvanian State Representative Thaddeus Kirkland (D), believes the billboard takes the Bible out of context and depicts racism and hatred.
Brian Fields, president of the Pennsylvania Nonbelievers claims the billboard was not erected to offend African American residents but as a history lesson. Fields says, “there were concerns about the portrayal of the African-American. It’s a classic wood carving of a 19th century slave.” Fields suggests, “If you are offended by the billboard, one should ask why you are offended? Is it because of the history lesson or because we’re being reminded of a darker chapter in our history? Or is it because the exposition of the darker aspects of the Bible?”
The billboard was torn down by anonymous vandals the evening it was posted and was quickly replaced by an ad for the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra.
The billboard was torn down by anonymous vandals the evening it was posted and was quickly replaced by an ad for the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra.
