October/November 2026 | maconmagazine.com 47
"People in Macon are
starting to know that the
Muscogee people are still
here and starting to
welcome them back in
stronger ways."
his likeness now stands. But just as Gray himself
was a cultural link whose powerful presence united
Johnson and Sulphur today to stickball players from
the Civil War era, art has the ability to transcend time
and space and change perspectives.
People in Macon are starting to know that the
Muscogee people are still here and starting to
welcome them back in stronger ways. When that
happens and historic truths are told, it shortens
the immense distance that has been built between
cultures, an indelible rift where healing once seemed
impossible.
Bicentennial Park stands in striking distance to
the construction site for Macon's new arena, which
broke ground this summer and will host all kinds of
sports and events. Echoing the idea that the history
of the land could be a part of all projects, in all ways,
Johnson playfully noted that he hopes stickball is
part of that story, too:
"And when they build that new stadium, you
should acknowledge the ball players that were
there originally."
