Original version

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

Assignment

Factual

Investigations and journeys into the heart of global events from BBC correspondents.

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

Assignment: America’s hidden histories

Documentaries

News

(Statue of Henrietta Lacks on Lacks Plaza, Roanoke. Credit: David Hungate and the Roanoke Times)

12/10/2023 GMT

America’s hidden histories

BBC World Service - Assignment, America’s hidden histories

A new statue in Virginia shines a light on histories hidden in plain sight

Over 150 years since the end of the American Civil War, the battle for how communities memorialise history remains.

It’s more than 150 years since the end of the American Civil War. But the replacement of a monument dedicated to the Confederate Commander Robert E Lee with a statue of black icon Henrietta Lacks has proved an emotive issue in Roanoke, Virginia. 

In a region steeped in the history and trauma of that war, the unveiling of a new memorial has shone a spotlight on the hidden histories of the United States.    As Elizabeth Gabriel reports for Assignment, how we remember the past remains a divisive issue.

Produced by Ben Wyatt
Sound engineer: Rod Farquhar
Editor: Penny Murphy
Production co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman

(Photo: Statue of Henrietta Lacks on Lacks Plaza, Roanoke. Credit: David Hungate and the Roanoke Times)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Assignment

America’s hidden histories

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

About BBC World Service