It has been nearly a year since the Council’s last discussion (and vote) on a certain stone memorial situated in front of the Courthouse. In the three hundred, fifty-seven days since then, I trust that each of you (and all of you) have had a chance to revisit this issue with each other (in groups of less than three, of course).
Furthermore, that you find “it” somewhere within you (call “it” whatever you like: grit; gumption; certitude — courage; conscience; or conviction) to lead on this issue.
Not by silence — not by inaction — not by an analysis paralysis of indecision — but by the inner strength comes from a genuine, unwavering belief in courtesy towards, the dignity of, and respect for your fellow human beings.
Justice delayed is justice denied. Indeed, no justice at all. Ask yourself: “Why?” “Why does this extraordinary place continue to honor the oppressors — and not honor the oppressed?”
Hear that?
Duty calls. The question is: Will you answer? Can you?
Keith Alan Watts
Tilghman Island
Anne Stalfort says
Well said
trudy wonder says
“Why does this extraordinary place continue to honor the oppressors — and not honor the oppressed?”
Thank you for this question. It makes the decision simple, doesn’t it? (Or at least it should, if humanity is our guide.)
To those who believe we denigrate history if we remove the statue: there is a fundamental difference between the facts of history and the perpetuation of it. History is nothing more than a point-in-time view of life. We have the benefit of time to see things in a new light; this memorial now casts a long shadow of oppression. At one point in our history, Talbot County celebrated The Talbot Boys for their efforts to expand the principle of States’ Rights including the ownership of slaves. It’s hard for me to see how keeping the statue where it is today does not continue to honor that spirit of celebration of ‘the cause’. Instead, with a century of diverse perspectives lighting the way, we can choose to leave the past in history and come together and celebrate our collective humanity with an eye toward the future. Let’s put The Talbot Boys in an educational context (i.e., museum) where it can continue to be viewed as a key moment in our nation’s past, absent celebration or blame, and recognize that, with time and seasoning, things can look quite different.
Alan Boisvert says
The reason for the do-nothing Talbot County Council is they fear retribution if they make a decision. That is NOT leadership. It’s chickendodo.