The Statue of Carl Sandburg
Carl Sandburg was an American journalist, editor and more notably a writer of poetry, and biographies.Sandburg was born in Galesburg, Illinois on January 6, 1878. He was a three time Pulitzer prize winner for his poetry twice, and the third being for his biography on Abraham Lincoln. The statue put up in the town square of Galesburg in 2016 by Lonnie Eugene Stewart is a demonstration of, not only the mythical essence surrounding Carl Sandburg, but further representing one of the core foundational myths of The United States as a whole. In creating this statue, Carl Sandburg, as an historical figure is being celebrated for his accomplishments and through this and other memorials is further mythicized for Galesburg residents specifically. Despite being regarded as a very important poet in his time it seems like Carl Sandburg’s legacy has not been as long lasting everywhere as it is in Galesburg where most everyone would know his name and understand him as the respected poet that he is. In addition to the local mythic essence surrounding Carl Sandburg his reverence supports the founding myth of the American Dream. Carl Sandburg, representing the "every man" from the small town of Galesburg Illinois, was able to overcome his simple upbringing and make not only a living, but a widely regarded name for himself as is so often sought after with life in the United States. This statue of Carl Sandburg, a white man, is a reminder of this mythical dream and the systems of oppressions it supports by how often it disregards the privilege held by those who due achieve it.