Maryland’s last confederate monument on public land is making National news in the New Yorker and being expressed as a State-level concern as shown by the Lieutenant Governor’s remarks at the Frederick Douglass dedication last week. But it is only here in Easton, in the hands of the Talbot County Council, where the power lies to right this moral wrong.
The monument was put up half a century after emancipation to remind the dark-skinned Americans of Easton that the institution that had kidnapped and enslaved their parents and grandparents and ancestors before them, the institution that kept them looking down not up, the institution that said you are less than us, to remind them that that institution was still being celebrated and you’d better look out, you’d better be afraid.
The monument is still on the Courthouse lawn, still speaking.
The power to right this moral wrong lies in your hands, the Talbot County Council.
Sarah Sayre
Claiborne
Stephen Schaare says
Hi Ms Sayre, What is the “institution”. You mention so frequently? I may be a little slow. Thank you.
Charles Barranco says
Mr Schaare,
Agreed, You are slow. I am a life long Republican and I got it real fast! You got it too, but chose to continue the degradation. That’s so admirable. And it supports White Privilege so well.
You can be proud.
John Scott says
Slow? I think not. I think that may be a ruse on your part. The institution of which Ms. Sayre speaks, clearly, is slavery.
Glenn Baker says
Every sentence in this “story” is untrue. Maryland had 29 Confederate Monuments in 1995. They are listed by Susan Soderberg in her book “Lest We Forget. 3 have been placed in storage by the mayor of Baltimore. The other 26 remain. The invented story about how long it took to collect money to place these memorials has nothing to do with the SPLC 10 years old story of these monuments being a reminder aimed at people of color. Please take some time to learn the history of Maryland in 1861 and the over throw of the State Government by Lincoln and the imprisonment of our elected leaders.
Charles Barranco says
The decision to leave the monument or remove it should not rest in the hands of 5 people, but of, All The People. It’s on Public Land.
Let’s put it to a vote in November and have the citizens of Talbot County decide whether the monument should stay or be removed.
If the vote is to remove it, then auction it and give the money to the Community Center. in Easton.
Suzanne Todd says
I believe the word institution refers to the institution of slavery. As to monuments in Maryland honoring confederate soldiers, they are located in cemeteries or places such as Antietam Battlefield, not on a courthouse lawn. I continue to wonder why moving the Talbot Boys Statue to a place such as the Spring Hill Cemetery is a problem.
Thank you, Sarah Sayre for your letter.
Dick Deerin says
Thank you for this powerful message.
Jack Donahue says
One can argue that”institution” may not be precisely the correct word as used by Ms Sayreville but each time it is used it refers to activity that was legal in the United States. The importation of enslaved people from Africa was legal, the horrific treatment of the enslaved people was legal and they were legally property. Of course they counted as 3/5 of a person to determine Congressional representation but they had no rights.
What a legacy to honor.
Paul Callahan says
I don’t want to take away from your well written and well intentioned comment but the African slave trade was abolished in 1808. It was not legal in the United States after that. Even the Confederate constitution outlawed it.
Sarah Sayre says
Interesting comments, thank you all. As the author of the letter I wondered what people would make of the word “institution.” I mean it to be racism, which is morally illegal at all times of human existence.
Paul Callahan says
And there was absolutely no motivation to remember the family members and loved ones who participated in the most horrific event in our Nations history. Every action taken, every word spoken, all efforts were only meant to degrade our citizens of color. We know this to be true because the Southern Poverty Law Center has told us this.
Have you ever wondered how Russia, Cuba and many other countries became totalitarian oppressive regimes that enslaved all their citizens? Have you ever noticed that they call their army the “Peoples Liberation Army”? It starts with propaganda and the changing of history to suit their purpose.
Do not let outside organizations divide our community. Challenge what you hear and read. Think for yourself.
Stephen Schaare says
Hi Mr. Callahan, I was puzzled how the author of this piece declares she knew the reason for erection of the statue. Was she there in 1916? Can she, in fact, speak to the statue? Whole lot of presumption, in my opinion.
Charlie Bohn says
I remain surprised how so many people appear to be against having a county wide vote on this issue. Why not let the citizens of Talbot County decide?
Stephen Schaare says
Hi Charlie, Though I agree a county wide vote would be best, it may smack too much of self government, you know, Democracy. Would the results of such a vote be accepted? Be careful what you wish for. I believe the members of the county council were chosen by the the folks of Talbot. That selection has not worked out too well.