Sacred Obligation

16 count

Pattern design inspired by the mural "Tragic Prelude" depicting American Abolitionist John Brown, whose commitment to the freedom and equality of all people ushered in the struggle for emancipation that carried into the Civil War. Motivated by religious fervor to instigate an armed slave rebellion to overthrow the system of chattel slavery, John Brown led the armory raid at Harpers Ferry, for which he was executed. John Brown subsequently became a symbol for armed resistance to white supremacy. "Tragic Prelude" is painted in the Kansas State Capitol as a reminder of his "sacred obligation" to the liberation of all people.