A recent Talbot County Council meeting when a council member questioned the need for a diversity policy, chided a colleague for being too emotional about change and the renewed possibility of removing the Talbot Boys Monument on the courthouse green and then demanded that telephonic input and criticism from the head of the local NAACP chapter be muted, angrily threatening to walk out—the political fireworks were a shocking display of blindness to the actions necessarily being undertaken nationwide in the wake of the brutal killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.
In responding to what she considered a precipitous reaction to the furor over Floyd’s well-publicized death after a white policeman kneeled for nearly nine minutes on the black man’s neck, Councilwoman Laura Price voiced a sentiment shared by many. A serious public official, Price echoed a common refrain during a moment in history:
Don’t rush to tear down Confederate monuments and rename Army posts in the South in the heat of the moment.
Take a collective breath and avoid impulsive actions that may later be regretted.
Don’t be swayed by zealous activists trying to take advantage of an admittedly horrendous action to instigate policy changes and removal of hateful symbols of white supremacy.
I would suggest to Councilwoman Price that emotion is exactly what is now imperative to redress wrongs toward, and mistreatment of our fellow African-American citizens fostered since our nation’s founding.
Normally an incrementalist who prefers reasoned discussion before taking action, I believe that African-Americans have been undeniably patient about change in a country supposedly founded on liberty and freedom for all. Despite desirable legal shifts in education, voting and housing, blacks still suffer from lack of economic opportunity.
More than 50 years ago, during the divisive Vietnam War, I wondered about the proportionally large number of combat deaths among black soldiers. It was a war fought mostly by members of the lower classes. And then black soldiers who fought for their country returned to a homeland still rife with bias and unequal treatment.
The time is now to act. The time is now to make changes, even symbolic ones. The time is now to explore and then engineer structural adjustments that make life fairer for black U.S. citizens.
The past weekend was a reawakening for me. I listened on the courthouse green to the disturbing words of Talbot County native Frederick Douglass excerpted from a speech he delivered July 5, 1852 to a group of abolitionists in Rochester, New York.
I only wish I had read and absorbed Douglass’ spellbinding remarks when I was younger. My understanding of American inequality would have been deeper. My sense of citizenry would have been more enlightened.
For those who think that we as a country should move more slowly and gingerly in confronting blatant, as well as nuanced discrimination, I recommend this passage in Douglass’ speech:
“At a time like this, scorching irony, not convincing argument, is needed. O! had I the ability and could I reach the nation’s ear, I would, to-day, pour out a fiery stream of biting ridicule, blasting reproach, withering sarcasm, and stern rebuke.
“For it is not light that is needed, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake. The feeling of the nation must be quickened; the conscience of the nation must be roused; the propriety of the nation must be startled; the hypocrisy of the nation must be exposed; and its crimes against God and man must be proclaimed and denounced.”
Douglass was addressing the evil of slavery. A renowned orator, he could not celebrate the 76th anniversary of our young country and ignore the debasing treatment of people unable to enjoy the manifold opportunities available to whites.
Nor can we.
We must search our souls for evidence of prejudice. We must look at lives of privilege and ask why we were so lucky. We were born with immediate familial benefits. We assumed we were entitled to them.
I beseech Councilwoman Price and others who share her “go slowly” approach to seize the moment to make changes that benefit our friends and neighbors who differ from us only in the color of their skin. African-Americans have waited long enough.
Slavery legally ended with the Emancipation Proclamation. Attitudes did not. Nuanced, subtle discrimination is alive and well. We do not need a modern-day Frederick Douglass, should he or she exist, to pierce our indifference.
We need a whirlwind.
Columnist Howard Freedlander retired in 2011 as Deputy State Treasurer of the State of Maryland. Previously, he was the executive officer of the Maryland National Guard. He also served as community editor for Chesapeake Publishing, lastly at the Queen Anne’s Record-Observer. In retirement, Howard serves on the boards of several non-profits on the Eastern Shore, Annapolis and Philadelphia.
David Montgomery says
I believe you have based your comments on some very biased sources: the NAACP, the ACLU and, since they relied on the same, the Star Democrat.
The NAACP/ACLU accusations are a complete fabrication, as can easily be seen by watching the video of the council meeting itself that is found here: https://talbot-md.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=418.
Just click on agenda items V.B, V.C, VI.B and X. in the agenda for June 23. Laura Price gave good reasons for all her actions. Two of her three statements dealt with diversity statements and training for county government employees only. She made the point, more tactfully than my summary, that these would be useless virtue signaling when there have been no complaints of racism in County Government in her 10 years of service.
Her opposition to the vote on HR7120, the extreme Democrat defund police bill in the US House of Representatives, should be applauded by all but the extreme left. And I share her sentiment that the anger and disruption we will see at the hearing on the Talbot Boys is better avoided. More a more complete analysis of her conduct, I recommend the editorial here in the Chesapeake Observer: https://chesob.org
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, David. I don’t question that Laura Price had “good reasons for all her actions.” I don’t question that she is a serious, conscientious county council member. However, I do question her reasoning. Hence, my column takes issue with not acting in the heat of comment. That’s exactly what we should do in my opinion.
David Montgomery says
Dear Howard. I think your disagreement with Laura does not have to do with the validity of her reasoning but with any reliance on reasoning in this debate. I offer in evidence your quote from Douglass: “At a time like this, scorching irony, not convincing argument, is needed.” I believe that is precisely the wrong approach in these times of discord and violent protests. Too many are motivated by anger and passion. That is the only way I can imagine that the Mr Potter and the ACLU can live with their consciences after making a video that falsifies Ms Prices statements and invents grievances.
You imply that there has been no progress since Jim Crow, segregation (given to us by Democrats who tutored the Party’s current leadership), and Vietnam. In fact, we have made immense progress in all those areas, especially in the Armed Forces where the cadre is now largely drawn from minorities who put country first.That is precisely why the rhetoric needs to be toned down before it tears the country apart. Without the reasoned approach that you scorn and Ms Price bravely took, we will end up with little but feel good actions that do nothing and policy changes that actually harm the communities that you think you speak for.
With reason and facts, we might actually find some useful policy change, for example to reverse the destruction of the black family and increase effective law enforcement for the minorities where black-on-black murders and terrorizing of peaceful citizens are made worse by mobs attacking irrelevant symbols.Finally, a nod to Sheriff Joe Gamble who has played no small role in giving us effective and fair policing for all.
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you again, David. I believe that the black community has waited a long time for “reason and facts” to produce for favorable outcomes concerning income inequality, housing segregation, uncertain medical care
and long-term invisibility. Frederick Douglass’ words mattered in 1852. and they do now.
Stephen Schaare says
Dear Mr. Montgomery, Thank you for such powerful sentiment. I have felt so alone. So sorry to tell you(something you already know) that your last paragraph shall fall upon deaf ears. In light of the most disgusting butchery of black lives this past weekend at the hands of other blacks, these forward looking progressives remain silent. I call this, perhaps, the racism of low expectations. Perhaps these well intentioned gentlemen dismiss the urban killing fields as simply a part of life. Do these good people not consider black children and infants worth protecting and saving? Perhaps they do not believe civil behavior is even possible in these communities?Even the black Mayor of Atlanta chided and held accountable the purveyors of black on black crime. I guess 26 people of color bleeding to death on your streets will prompt such reaction.
Thank you, Mr. Montgomery, for your efforts to infuse a bit of balance to these issues. All for naught. In attempting to save black lives, we must employ every possible remedy, from police reform to stopping those who recklessly kill their neighbors.
I will close now. Hope to read more from you in the future. Go in Peace.
Kate LaMotte says
Thanks to Howard Freedlander for sharing his thoughts on the July 4th event at the Talbot County Courthouse. It was a true coming together of people of all walks of life, ages, races, etc., and the reading of Douglass’ profound speech was enlightening, deliberate and moving. It was a fine effort that warrants appreciation to all involved in making it happen.
At this point, the Talbot Boys statue’s presence on our Courthouse lawn is hardly a new issue that merits slow, measured deliberation. This statue does not “teach history,” it honors the cause of slavery. There is increasing anger and frustration that this stain on our County remains even as places like Richmond, Virginia – a capital of the Confederacy — set about removing statues honoring Confederate leaders. To those who defend the Talbot Boys’ presence, I ask this: If YOUR ancestors had been kidnapped, enslaved, raped, beaten, lynched, starved and separated from their children, where in this town would you like to see a statue placed honoring those who fought to perpetuate such brutal and unconscionable practices? The answer is, of course, nowhere — and least of all on the Courthouse lawn where you’d go to seek and hopefully receive the justice denied your great-great-great grandparents and generations since .
Linda Baker says
Mr. Freedlander’s editorial and follow up comments are somewhat ironic. In one breath he’s chiding Laura Price on the way she is handling the issue with removing the Talbot Boys Monument, stating pretty much that the time has passed for having this type of historical monument on Talbot County property. Yet, in the next breath goes back to a speech by Frederick Douglass spoken 170 yrs ago when times were very different, and he would not be speaking in today’s time. These boys found out the Union came into Maryland and had to take up arms to protect family and county. They were veterans of a war, and were honored with a memorial as most all veterans of war are. This is part of history no matter what side you were on. I think the biggest problem with the monument is they are holding a confederate flag. Now, let’s move to today in time. We have people stomping on and burning our American flag. They are assaulting and attacking people with American flags. We have people kneeling and calling it racial. When is it going to stop!!! Are we going to remove the American flag also, remove all statues that have to do with any of our history. I don’t see the disadvantage that is talked about. Anyone in this country can be whatever they want to be. Look at all the black football players, basketball players, lawyers, doctors, congressmen, singers, actors. Many very wealthy black people as well as in high places. We had a black President. Are there people who hate? Yes! On both sides of the aisle, and your not going to change people in that arena. Keep on removing historical monuments, as we are well on our way to repeating some history anyway.
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, Ma. Baker. We can disagree, as we do. The Talbot Boys Monument embodies Confederate support of slavery and its hateful treatment of human beings.
Cornelia Heckenbach says
Thank you Mr Freedlander for your well written point of view . I am speechless to continuously read all these explanations on why these Talbot Boys have to stay, I am speechless that people don’t understand the pain the anger the frustration that the black community must feel.
Americans must finally teach children the real history , show remorse instead of pride for flags and statues that represent one thing only : „Most Confederate soldiers readily accepted as an obvious fact that they were fighting to perpetuate slavery ” (James M. McPherson, For Cause and Comrades: Why Men Fought in the Civil War )
How can we judge other countries if we can’t even clean up our own house within 155 years .
Martha Witte Suss says
Astonishing! – Do you think Anton Black, Breonna Taylor, Ahmed Arbury or Trayvon Martin had an advantage on the days that they were murdered?
Pardon me-but I got hit by a deer the other day and after I called the police to come out to help (and they did).I couldn’t help but ponder how advantaged I am because I can comfortably wait for the police to come help. That my friends is an example of advantaged white privilege…. Black and brown people don’t have that luxury and are systemically “disadvantaged “ discriminated and racially profiled against no matter if they are poor or rich …no matter what your role/job/ social ranking is, if you’re a person of color…… You simply do not have that advantage because of the color of your skin.
And your rendition of why there is a confederate statue on the courthouse lawn is utter whitewash- pardon the pun..
Thank you Howard for your deeply incisive commentary And observations…. The reason Frederick Douglass’s speeches and writings ring so clear are because Of his timeless words of truth and wisdom.
Jane Murphy says
Agree wholeheartedly.
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, Jane. Time for change.
Kelley says
Yes, and AMEN!
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, Kelley.
Alan Boisvert says
Excuse me?
“Don’t rush to tear down Confederate monuments and rename Army posts in the South in the heat of the moment.
Take a collective breath and avoid impulsive actions that may later be regretted”
Who’s rushing. The Talbot Boy issue has been going on for years. The time has simply arrived.
Significant events in history quite often serve as a motive for change. Those who block change
the majority demands are often viewed as a stalwart to some questionable motive.
Stephen Schaare says
All this handwringing. Go take it down.
Alan Boisvert says
Take what down? Mr. Schaare, we are practicing our First Amendment rights.
It’s what makes a democracy.
Stephen Schaare says
Take down “The Talbot Boys”. How much more of this never ending blather on both sides can you endure? Be honest. Do you want Mr. Freedlander to condemn all of us priveleged whites until the end of time? How much more can you stomach, Alan? Freedom of speech, freedom of expression (such as burning the soon to be abolished American flag) are indeed guaranteed. Pulling down “the boys” by a concerned citizen is understandable. You see the statues coming down across the country? No pushback, perhaps three arrests. U.S. Grant? Lincoln? Two days ago the Sainted Frederic Douglass in upstate NY? Are you cognizant of these events? Take the damn thing down. DO something. Do you truly believe this back and forth banter by us fortunate whites gives any comfort to excluded people of color? Really? Tangible improvement for the disenfranchised is what matters. Practical solutions are what is needed.
Stephen Schaare says
We are on the same side. I’m just a little bit ahead.
Alan Boisvert says
My sincere apologies Mr. Schaare
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, Mr. Boisvert. The Talbot Boys monument no longer should stand on public space.
Alan Boisvert says
Greetings and thank you Mr. Freedlander, I could not agree more.
Hugh Panero says
What wonderfully crafted contribution to this debate. We need a whirlwind.
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you. Hugh. Time for slow, deliberate action is long gone.
Stephen Schaare says
Can I get a little “thank you”? Teeny tiny one?
Paul Callahan says
“Slavery legally ended with the Emancipation Proclamation”… this fact takes about 5 seconds to check with Google using any phone. You lost allot of credibility for the entire article since we must assume other facts stated were research just as diligently….
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, Paul. I concede the error. However, I don’t concede the lack of credibility unless a reader had already disputed the premise. Favorable comments from several readers confirm the credibility of the column.
paul callahan says
No it is…. You make excellent morally persuasive arguments for social change (which I also support) and many people rely upon your insights. However this is what makes things far worse than it needs to be. This is what instigates people to over react and this is why people are beating each other in the streets. By you misstating a very important fact many people will believe it and take it as a historical truth because you said it. You basically are changing peoples understanding of history. It may be more important for people to understand that the Emancipation Proclamation did nothing to free the slaves held in bondage within the four slave States that remained in the Union. Now that is an interesting point to ponder – slave States in the Union? Lincoln didn’t free them? What? Why? – now we’re having a discussion. The problem is if you are not credible on this how do we know your not spooling up other points way beyond reality? History can speak for itself and you don’t need to change it to make your points – in fact doing so can just make things much worse. Since you quoted Douglass I will leave you with another Douglass quote: “Truth is proper and beautiful at all times and in all places”
Stephen Schaare says
Ouch!
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, Paul ( and Stephen). Truth is critical. So is admission of mistakes. Statues and monuments that romanticize Confederate troops who fought for a treasonous cause to uphold and defend in humane treatment of black Americans represent a terrible mistake and misrepresentation.
Keith Watts says
An open letter to The Talbot County Council, Talbot County Residents and Talbot County Voters
Honorable Messrs. President Pack, Vice President Callahan, Honorable Council Persons Divilio, Lesher; Ms. Price:
It is nothing short of extraordinary to see the State of Mississippi undertake legislation to remove the Confederate icon from Mississippi’s State Flag. Mississippi’s legislation was undertaken in record time. Record time.
I have now lived to see “The Stars and Bars” “relocated” from the State Flags of Georgia, South Carolina — and now even dear “‘Ole Miss.”
No disrespect to The Magnolia State (a.k.a. “The Mud-Waddler State”), but one could never remotely fathom that Talbot County could move more slowly — glacially even — than Mississippi . . . .
Perhaps The Council should consider replacing “The Talbot Lion” on The County’s flag with a Galápagos Tortoise. Come to think of it, our own native Chesapeake snapping turtle — or “Turkle” as they’re known — might be more fitting.
The 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery, was ratified after three-fourths of the states passed it in 1865.
Mississippi did not symbolically — and officially — adopt it until 1995. And, it didn’t officially notify Washington of the vote until 2013. In all fairness, I suppose the Pony Express had experienced a sharp service decline between 1995 and 2013.
Query: based on my math, will it be 130 years before Talbot County symbolically and officially adopts the removal of “The Talbot Boys” — followed by a short 18 year lag in notifying Annapolis?
That would be — let me see — roughly 148 years, right? 148 excursions around the sun. If I am off in my calculations, I was never that good with math.
By my reckoning, it’s 2020 — so that would make it happen in the year . . . 2168! The same year Council Person Price may finally warm to the notion that Diversity and Inclusion and Equal Employment Opportunity Policies are foundations of good governance.
I’d just like to set my watch . . . .
Good thing we’re not using those hourglass things anymore. I’d run out of sand.
On the other hand, there’s just barely enough time for me to go and fix myself a cool, refreshing mint julep . . . . And light the whale oil lamps.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be off to help Ms. Ellen with her portieres . . . . .
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, Keith, The legislative action to remove the Confederate flag from the Mississippi flag is a stunningly momentous move. The Talbot County Council should look closely at this symbolic decision.
Katherine LaMotte says
Well done, Keith. Since so many people lay claim to the Talbot Boys statue as part of their “history” or “heritage,” maybe the
County could auction it off so one of those folks could put it in their yard. Donate the proceeds to BAAM (Building African American Minds) as a small gesture of reparation? Or if that rattles too many (white, privileged) cages, put the proceeds in the County’s operating budget to pay for maintenance of the Courthouse grounds?A statue honoring the memory of thos who committed treason against the U.S. does not belong on any public property, much less our Courthouse lawn.
Katherine LaMotte says
Well done, Keith. Since so many people lay claim to the Talbot Boys statue as part of their “history” or “heritage,” maybe the County could auction it off so one of those folks could put it in their yard. Donate the proceeds to BAAM (Building African American Minds) as a small gesture of reparation? Or if that rattles too many (white, privileged) cages, put the proceeds in the County’s operating budget to pay for maintenance of the Courthouse grounds?
Willard T Engelskirchen says
Well said.