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Kitson condensed the Spanish-American War, Philippine-American War, and China Relief Expedition by following the popular tradition of centering the white male American soldier as a representation of the whole US military. As it promotes notions of Western imperialism and white manliness, the Hiker does not represent non-white Americans that fought in these altercations. From this monument we cannot know a version of history that isn’t white and male-centered; in other words, we cannot know a version of history that is authentic. 

As I proceed to discuss the Hiker in its many historical, racial, and gendered implications, I will describe its positioning within the space of Kennedy Plaza and subsequently focus on its representation of white manliness, US Imperialism, and the erasure of colonial violence.