I have lived and worked and paid taxes in Talbot County since 1981. My wife and I raised our two children here who both graduated from St. Michaels High School. I am a veteran of the Vietnam War and I regularly attend church in Easton.
I write to you today because I want you to know how upset I am with your latest vote to deny the removal of the Confederate monument that is located on public land, specifically on the front lawn of the county courthouse where you meet twice a month. It is both shameful and inexcusable that Mr. Divilio, Mr. Callahan, and Ms. Price cannot yet understand that this is an issue of fairness, equality, and justice, not just for the Black community of Talbot County, but for all of us.
Let me be clear. Unlike some of you who wish this long-time racial problem will go away if we just give it enough time, that the Black Lives Movement that has been embraced by much of the country is just a fad, and that many of the citizens of Talbot County protesting for the removal of the Confederate monument will get tired and go away, I believe it’s NOT going to happen.
Some of you attended the dedication of the Frederick Douglass park last week. Those of you who voted for keeping the Confederate monument in place must have felt uncomfortable when you were reminded by one of the speakers that, as far as improving racial issues in Talbot County, we still have a lot of work to do. Part of that work is removing the monument to a more appropriate place. For the rest of the country to know that we have the last Confederate monument on public grounds should not only be an embarrassment to you, it should be an embarrassment to the majority of us who live here and who choose not to believe the historical myth of “The Lost Cause”.
After the Civil War ended, Frederick Douglass feared that the history of the war would be changed so that white Southerners would be viewed in a more favorable light. Douglass spent the next twenty years speaking about this rewriting of history and his fear that the freeing of the slaves may not mean very much if the right to vote and other basic human rights were denied. According to his biographer, David W. Blight, “He was appalled at the national veneration of Robert E. Lee when he died in 1870, and disgusted at what he called the “bombastic laudation” and the “nauseating flatteries” of the “rebel chief”.”
Mr. Pack, as president of the council, I implore you to use all your leadership skills and legislative powers to persuade your fellow council members to end this “bombastic laudation” of a monument that should have been put to rest years ago. In my mind, it is the most important issue now confronting the Council, and I believe, it is not a legacy that any of you desire. Ask yourselves, what would Frederick Douglass do?
James Richardson
Claiborne
Vincent De Sanctis says
Amen. Arguement is irrefutable.
Dick Deerin says
Excellent letter. We must not let this issue fade away. It is too important.
Willard T Engelskirchen says
YES
Well put.
Anne Stalfort says
Thank you Mr. Richardson. I agree with you.
Suzanne Todd says
Thank you, Jim. You speak for many. We are not going away.
Mary Margaret Revell Goodwin says
I have read so many of the discussions and arguments on both sides regarding the Talbot Boys decision. What James Richardson has written will hopefully be taken to heart by EVERYONE but most of all those who voted in favor of retaining the statue on public grounds where hopefully Justice is supposed to be meted out. The present day public has long ignored, or even cared to know, the immense sacrifice and overwhelming demands that African Americans have dealt with in their plantation lives supporting the wealth and privileged lives of the owners. There is no major plantation in Maryland that excelled that did so with anything but the sweat and tears of so many of the Enslaved and even the Emancipated.The statue to the young men who would have kept that way of life going even into this day and age were it possible is a push in the face of every young African American child in this day and age. It is time to reconsider such ill advised votes.
Nancy McNary Smith says
Thank you, James Richardson. This perspective needs to be repeated, again and again and again. The question is at the heart of who we are and who we aspire to be.
Roger Valentine says
Any residents are allowed to live in this county and bombastically laud this symbol. I don’t have to understand, agree with or respect your opinion for me to acknowledge it. Yet I whole heartedly agree with Mr. Richardson that those who represent this county have an obligation in this climate to act and not defer. Indeed, voting against, disguised as deferring, is both “shameful and inexcusable”. We implore you to act and be willing to be known for “fairness, equality and justice” now. No action puts you in the resident group I mention in the first sentence, and if that is the case, kindly let us all know.
Robert Horvath says
Past time for this to go
Stephen Schaare says
Hi Mr. Richardson, Good essay, but please lighten up on the now Sainted Mr. Douglass. Got to lighten up, just a tad. Please express your thoughts without too many references to Mr. Douglass(whom I have always admired), but take it easy. He is an important gentleman from Talbot County, which we must recognize. Please, think on this. I have always believed we create our own monsters and Gods. Thank you.
blmstjohns says
Your support and advocacy is greatly appreciated.
Vickie J. Wilson says
Thank you , Mr. Richardson. Well said
Debra R. Messick says
Thank you for your powerful and eloquent words!! Bravo!
Barbara Perry says
It took hurricane Laura to remove a Confederate monument from the courthouse grounds in Lake Charles, LA after those in power declined to remove it. Let’s hope we don’t have to have a hurricane in order to remove the Talbot Boys from our courthouse grounds. Your remarks are very well stated, Mr. Richardson.
Ferne Banks says
EXCELLENT Mr.Richardson.
Thank you.