BATON ROUGE, La. — The bronze man under the oaks at the LSU Rural Life Museum still tips his hat. One hand raised, the other at his side. The 1927 plaque on the pedestal is plain: “Erected by the City of Natchitoches in grateful recognition of the arduous and faithful service of THE GOOD DARKIES OF LOUISIANA.” Donated by J.L. Bryan. A later plate notes that the figure, sculpted by Hans Schuler of Baltimore, was given to the museum in 1972 by Mrs. Jo Bryan Ducournau of Hope Plantation. A museum

On the march’s 31st anniversary, an encounter at a Louisiana museum brings two images of Black manhood into focus—and renews a call to accountability, dignity, and brotherhood.