You believe that the monument will only be about the war as a state's rights issue. You believe a monument should be erected that depicts the African American struggle and slavery. You want the citizens to understand slavery during the Civil War era. You want them to learn about the conditions of slavery and its place in history. You also want them to understand that African Americans fought and died during the war.  You hope the monument will be a celebration of the African American struggle and not just be about the Union and Confederate soldiers and their battles.

The mayor's questions

Should the monument be constructed?
If yes, what should it look like?
Should public funding be used to construct it?

Additional questions to consider as you conduct your research

Where in the United States were slaves held?
What were the conditions they were held under?
What culture did they bring to the United State?
What was the underground railroad?
What was the emancipation proclamation and how did it affect slaves during the war?
What historical events contributed to the start of the Civil War?