I call for the taking down the last confederate statue in Maryland, which sits in front of the Talbot County Courthouse, perpetuating white privilege. We must acknowledge the dark history of the Chesapeake, we must be brave and foster a community that prioritizes equality and justice.
Beea Walsh
Talbot County
Joan says
This should be on the op/ed page of the Star Dem instead of Kollinger’s weak attempts at political commentary.
Lynn Mielke says
The Star Dem is better than that. Kollinger, an award winning cartoonist, can spell. Its privilege not privledge.
Lynn says
The Star Democrat is better than that. Kollinger, an award winning cartoonist, among his many talents, spells correctly. It’s not privledge it’s privilege.
Marian Murphy says
I moved to Easton the beginning of last year and bragged to my family and friends on my good decision to move to this beautiful, charming and active community. (I haven’t yet mentioned to them the racist monument which still stands in front of our city hall.). I’m hoping when covid allows them to travel here this summer, the monument will be gone so I won’t be embarrassed by this blatant display of bigotry.
Dick Deerin says
Great editorial cartoon. And, you’re right. The Talbot County confederate statue must be moved off public land. By the way, the article today in the Washington Post Metro section, including photo of the confederate statue, doesn’t do much to foster a good image of Easton and Talbot County.
Rev Julie Hart says
One had only to see the Confederate Battle flag waved about on January 6, INSIDE the United States Capitol to make the transition to the Talbot County Courthouse lawn. Sickening. January 6 has made the Talbot Boys statue even more repulsive. We saw WHITE PRIVILEGE and what it can do on January 6. Disgusting.
Rev Julie Hart
Barbara says
I would suggest that a unity statue be commissioned and built to replace the Talbot Boys. When this is done and the statue is paid for then replace the Talbot Boys with the Unity Statue. Do not remove the Talbot Boys until it is done. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but everyone is not entitled to change history. There were many causes for the civil war and slavery was but one. Scholars on this subject have been lecturing about it for years. Since the public schools deign not to teach real history our children and grandchildren have no idea what happened. This ignorance is a reflection on our public school system and the liberal uncaring union dues seeking administration who cares little about the children or the education they receive.
Willard Engelskirchen says
Slavery was THE cause of the Civil War. To state otherwise is to fly in the face of history and add to the Lost Cause myth.
Paul Callahan says
Thank you Barbara, I couldn’t more.
Matthew says
I could not agree with Bea Walsh more. Where is the statue for the Union Soldiers that fought for their country and against slavery. Let’s be clear the Talbot Boys were traitors, that fought and killed US soldiers and fought to uphold the sacrilege of slavery. They should not be exalted with a statue in front of our court house. Is the irony of this statue in front of our court house lost on those who would fight for justice.
Barbara Perry says
I totally agree with you. Had this monument simply been a statue of a young man (no flag) and had listed the names of men who fought on BOTH sides of the war then it really would be true to Maryland history and would be fine to have on the courthouse lawn.
Paul Callahan says
One one side of this issue their are slogans and accusation and a goal to change Maryland History to support an agenda.
On the other side their are volumes of historical documents and statements from important historical figures that document the unprecedented crushing of civil liberties in Maryland. This is a propaganda campaign against Truth by many who do not know, or care to know, extremely pertinent historical events. This history needs to be preserved so generations to come can learn from the lessons of that time.
If the day ever comes when a single leader denies our citizens the US Constitution, sends his forces to imprison our citizens without Constitutional process, unlawfully occupies our land with his forces, has our courthouse surrounded and beats and imprisons our judge, arrests our legislature and representative to Congress, and forcibly suppresses all dissent or reporting of these actions – I guarantee you – Americans will resist, and they will be Americans of all races and gender.
It is time for the false accusations to stop and it is time for the other side to present actual evidence. It is time for the other side to move forward with their social cause instead of spending way to much energy attempting to change Maryland history. Or do they first need to modify our citizens view of this history to move forward with the rest of the agenda?
Mavis says
So well said Mr. Callahan, thank you.
William Keppen says
Long past time for it to go. Surly defenders of the statue (and the cause) can find a place away from public land and sight for it to stand.
L. I. Pink says
If only we dare it’s because being American is more than a pride we inherit.
It’s the past we step into and how to repair it.
Amanda Gorman
The Hill We Climb
Inaugural Poem 1/20/21
Wendy Creighton says
I think that would be a terrible thing to do. Enough is enough !
Willard T Engelskirchen says
Agree. Now all we need to do is to get the County Council to also agree.
Matt Redman says
PRESERVE TALBOT HISTORY. The fear on the surface, for some, is that moving the Confederate monument will erase an important part of Talbot County history. These folks should relax because the sordid events that pitted blue against gray cannot go anywhere. The stain of slavery is yet being reckoned with. For that reason, the insurrectionist South should no longer be memorialized in front of the courthouse as something great and good. MOVE TALBOT’S CONFEDERATE MONUMENT. The Lost Cause can only be glorified for a exclusive minority of white people. A monument should do no harm. The fear below the surface, for some, is that moving the Confederate monument will diminish their privilege and expose their disregard for fairness. Too bad…these same bitter feelings are what caused Seth to erect the monument in the first place. He hoped to preserve white privilege and dress up his contempt for civil rights with a brass boy on an honor roll of Confederate virtue.
Paul Callahan says
Matt…. This is not about “confederate history”. Look down between your feet – you are standing on Maryland soil. Maryland did not secede, Maryland was not a deep South State. The names on that monument are Maryland men – past Talbot county citizens. Maryland”s history and experiences during that war were far different then the Deep South States that seceded. Our men fought due to what they were experiencing here in Maryland, on that soil between your feet.
I am amazed that people who know very little of our history become sudden experts when it suits their specific purpose.
Maryland men fought for Maryland reasons – It’s just that simple.
L Baker says
Wow! Such communist type comments on here. Talbot County and its history do not go away by removing a monument. This county has an abundance of history and ALL should be acknowledged. If people are afraid of history they can never learn from it, only repeat it. Im not saying we would repeat slavery, but there is an agenda to take freedom away from people through speech and actions. Think about it.
Kelly P says
Ok… Lets just say we remove all historic monuments, signs and trace of the past because things are “too hard to see”. So lets do that. The Talbot boy monument, the underground railroad signs all over the eastern shore, the mason dixon line, Harriet Tubmans painting in Cambridge that is absolutely beautiful… but painful so lets get rid of it. Lets keep going shall we.. Frederick Douglas birth place has to go. Take his house down because its too hard to see! If you’re going to use the reason of history is too hard to see and be reminded of fine… take it all down! Not just certain items. That way everyone is happy. Everything is erased. Like you said… it surely can be displayed anywhere else but public land because its sure to offend someone.