Edward Troye (1808-1874) was a Swiss American artist. As many artists before him, he made his living from portrait commissions.  In Troye’s case however the commissions were for portraits of thoroughbred racehorses paid for by their owners. And in many cases like this one the portraits included the African American jockeys, handlers, trainers, the black horsemen who were also owned.

Just when it seems we may have fully comprehended all the injustices and harms of slavery, we find another aspect. Thoroughbred horse racing was popular in the American South. Plantation owners made large investments in horses of prized bloodlines and usually paid nothing for the slaves who realized this bloodline potential for them on the racetrack. These slaves like trainer, Ansel Williamson here holding the saddle, and jockey, Edward Brown at age 14, were dressed up in the finest silks on portrait day and race day. On other days they may have had little to eat, worked in unbearable heat and humidity and slept in the horse stalls. Jockeys were brutally mistreated if they gained weight. Weight loss involved torturous methods. These dedicated, talented men were often sold with or sold away from animals they knew so well and loved so dearly.

Our slavery confessions required, our slavery debts owed as white Americans are paralyzing in their breadth and depth. We hold the legacy of slavery in our very skin. How can we make amends?  Lord, please hear our prayers.

In gratitude, faith and hope,

Sandy Prouty
Minister of Children and Families
Montview Church