Seattle's Soul Pole: A Restored Beacon of Black Pride - A Converge Media Documentary

The Legacy of the Soul Pole - 2022

By Omari Salisbury

Converge Media proudly re-releases "The Legacy of the Soul Pole" a captivating short documentary originally released in 2022, chronicling the restoration of this iconic artwork, which has graced the exterior of The Seattle Public Library’s Douglass-Truth Branch in the Central District for over 50 years. This film delves into the rich cultural significance of the Soul Pole, a symbol that the Black Heritage Society of Washington State has hailed as a “beacon of Black pride” in the Central District.

Through interviews and historical footage, we trace the journey of this powerful emblem of Black pride and resilience, from its creation in 1969 by artist and activist Raqib Mu’ied and the youth of the Seattle Rotary Boys Club to its installation at the Douglass Truth Library on 23rd and Yesler in 1972, to its restoration and reinstallation in April 2022. The film highlights the collaborative efforts of the Black Heritage Society and the Library to uncover and preserve the Soul Pole's history, a process that continues to unfold.

As Elijah Mu’ied, son of Raqib, eloquently expresses in the film, “The Soul Pole represents the advent of African American’s history coming to America, starting from the bottom to the top... Raqib Mu’ied was an activist... I would say that the Soul Pole embodies his activism, from the ground up.”

The documentary also features insights from Kate Dawson of Artech Fine Art Services, which oversaw the conservation project, and conservator Corine Landrieu. They discuss the meticulous process of assessing the damage to the pole and developing a conservation plan to preserve the artwork for future generations. "We knew that would be the most important thing, that’s what success would look like," Dawson reflects in the film.

The Black Heritage Society of Washington State (BHS) played a pivotal role in the restoration of the Soul Pole. Recognizing the pole's significance as a symbol of Black pride and resilience, the BHS spearheaded efforts to preserve this important piece of cultural heritage. Their collaboration with the Seattle Public Library and their commitment to uncovering the Soul Pole's history ensured that this powerful emblem of Black activism would continue to inspire and educate for generations to come. Through their tireless efforts, the BHS has helped to safeguard not only the Soul Pole itself but also the legacy of those who created it and the community it represents. 

The Soul Pole's enduring significance and the success of its restoration were further recognized when it received Historic Seattle's 2022 "Preserving Neighborhood Character" Award. This prestigious honor, presented at Historic Seattle's Preservation Celebration benefit on September 21, 2022, at Washington Hall, underscored the Soul Pole's profound impact on the community and its importance as a cultural landmark. The award celebrated the collaborative efforts of all those involved in preserving this powerful symbol of Black heritage, ensuring that its legacy would continue to inspire and educate for generations to come. 

The film culminates footage of the Soul Pole's reinstallation on a bright, sunny day, a momentous occasion marked by a moving ceremony attended by community members and family members of those originally involved in the project. "He carved the top piece, the head," Elijah Mu’ied shares about his father, Raqib Mu’ied, at the reinstallation, "which represents African-American awakening, our freedom, which many of us know we’re still working on to this day.”

"The Legacy of the Soul Pole" is a testament to the enduring power of art, community, and the preservation of cultural heritage. Watch the film and gain a deeper appreciation for the Soul Pole's profound significance in Seattle's Black history. 

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