1. Iron Shackles
Iron shackles were used to restrain enslaved individuals, symbolizing the physical and psychological oppression they endured. Preserved in museums today, these heavy restraints remain a stark reminder of captivity and dehumanization. For instance, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture showcases original shackles used on children. Learn more about the harsh reality they represent (nmaahc.si.edu).
