Shattering Silence

Standing atop a hill near the Iowa Judicial Building, the Shattering Silence monument is a powerful tribute to Iowa’s history of civil rights and justice. Designed by artist James Ellwanger and installed in 2009, the memorial commemorates Iowa’s 1839 landmark decision in the case of In re Ralph, where the Iowa Supreme Court ruled against slavery nearly two decades before the Civil War. The case involved Ralph, a formerly enslaved man who had been working in Iowa to buy his freedom. When his former enslaver attempted to force him back into slavery, the Iowa court ruled in Ralph’s favor, setting an early precedent for the state's commitment to racial justice.

For Black history, Shattering Silence represents more than just a legal victory—it stands as a symbol of Iowa’s role in the fight against slavery and racial discrimination. The state was home to strong abolitionist movements, key stops on the Underground Railroad, and early civil rights activism. Iowa was also one of the first states to allow Black men to vote and to desegregate schools, as seen in the 1868 Alexander Clark case. These milestones helped shape the national fight for equality long before the Civil Rights Movement of the 20th century.

The memorial itself features a large, open steel structure reaching toward the sky, representing both the struggle for freedom and the ongoing journey toward justice. The name Shattering Silence reflects the courage of those who spoke out against injustice, from abolitionists to civil rights activists. It serves as a reminder that the fight for racial equality is not just history but an ongoing effort.

For those visiting Des Moines, Shattering Silence is a must-see landmark that invites reflection on the state’s rich civil rights history. It reminds us that progress requires speaking out against injustice, just as the leaders of Iowa’s past did in the pursuit of freedom and equality.