After listening for 39 minutes to the video recording of last week’s Talbot County Council discussion and vote on removal of the Talbot Boys Monument from the grounds of the county courthouse, I was more disappointed than surprised by the backward thinking of Councilpersons Chuck Callahan, Frank Divilio and Laura Price.
I’ve read comments commending this threesome for resisting the nationwide tide of removing Confederate statues in towns and cities along the East Coast. For many in our community, Callahan, Divilio and Price are heroes for honoring the past and refusing to give into “leftist” criticism and pressure. They successfully voted in the majority against the removal.
On the other hand (right or left), Council President Corey Pack and Councilperson Lesher, representing the two minority votes, were viewed as following their consciences and supporting the position that the Talbot Boys Monument represents white supremacy and its ugly byproducts: hatred, bigotry and oppression.
As I’ve written before, I support the removal of a monument that blatantly counters those virtues—such as friendliness, compassionate citizenship, generosity of spirit and community betterment–that engender pride in our county. The 3-2 decision offers a different impression, one that tolerates a symbol of hostility and prejudice.
What the decision and preceding dialogue conveyed was a sad lack of leadership. Callahan and Divilio explicitly proposed evading their responsibility to make reasoned decisions by recommending a referendum in 2022 to enable the people to decide. That’s gutless.
Price focused her opposition on procedural grounds that made sense only to her. To this observer, her argument wreaked of stall tactics and legislative minutiae. She chose process over substance in opposing the resolution calling for the monument’s removal.
All three opponents then suggested that the time was wrong to make a decision as monumental at this. They played the Covid-19 pandemic card, saying that restrictions against public input by citizens forbidden to attend meetings negated a thoughtful decision. Under current circumstances, the public has been vocal.
Divilio, Callahan and Price opted for distraction and fatuous arguments. And they succeeded. The democratic process places a premium on majority votes.
Pack and Lesher showed courage. The former apologized for his vote five years ago opposing the removal. Apologies typically are in short supply in the body politic, for fear that contrition connotes weakness and possible legal consequences. In fact, it recognizes poor judgment.
Since it’s easy to criticize politicians who are making well-considered decisions based on their own convictions and their awareness of constituent concerns, I believe that the time has come for a creative approach that appeals, if possible, to both sides of the argument.
The public flogging by advocates needs to come to a stop.
I recommend creation by the county council of a blue-ribbon commission headed by someone respected for his/her objectivity and thoughtfulness, leading a group representing concerned segments of our community. I further suggest that the county council direct this commission to submit a proposal by Dec. 31, 2020.
If the proposal calls, for example, for the removal of both the Talbot Boys and the Frederick Douglass monuments to non-public space, one that captures the whole, unvarnished history of Talbot County, then that is something that the public and its public servants can debate.
This idea is not mine. Two writers have offered this idea in letters and comments in The Talbot Spy.
While this column has criticized Callahan, Divilio and Price and commended Pack and Lesher, I believe that the entire council would like to find a solution to a controversy that will not vanish without a palatable resolution. A future that combines creativity and tolerance, while enhancing the county’s image and tourism, should be the goal.
Discussion is healthy. Varied voices, even if discordant, are integral to the democratic process. Our elected representatives need to find a compromise proposal that allows all segments to feel that their input was valued.
Leadership can fill the current void and allay the dissension. A blue-ribbon commission that moves quickly to design a solution that solicits public input could clear the logjam.
The time is now. Not 2022.
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.
CATHERINE RICHARDS says
Hard yes to this. The community needs a course of action. All concerned need to make a choice to bring this to a conslusion and also be willing to SERIOUSLY discuss and consider all options brought to the table. This is actionable.
Rob J says
Instead of letting 5 people decide this put it on the ballot!
Paul callahan says
What so others can be labeled “racist” if they don’t agree with the NAACP? Who would want to jump into that ring? The Talbot county NAACP slammed the door on that option when they publicly labeled our council persons as racist, then refused to retract that statement after repeated calls to do so.
The only place this can be settled is in the private sanctity if the voting booth, free from intimidation and harassment.
Glenn Baker says
The president of the local National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has shown himself to be a bully and a racist in several public meeting and gatherings. I don’t understand how it is that “his” organization continues to use the term Colored. I grew up with that term but was lead to change the term to African-American in the 1970’s. They want safe places and removal of references to the past but continue to call themselves Colored? Please explain.
Richard Potter says
Glen Baker, what is your definition of a bully? It is very interesting to me how you use terminology without having any factual information to back it up. Oh let me guess I am a bully because I speak my truth regardless of whether or not an individual likes it. As I have offered countless times to others who like yourself have not developed an equity lens to sit down with a person of color and ask them about their experiences. Anytime your white privilege is challenged or you are made to feel uncomfortable about your actions or decisions then and only then do we want to place blame on the others. Well, Mr. Baker I can tell you that your comments will not detract me from speaking the truth but only continue to be the driving force that allows me to continue to call blatant and overt racism out. At any point and time you want to develop an equity lens I am more than willing to sit down and have a civilized conversation with you about race in America.
Stephen Schaare says
Of course this begs the question of who will select the members of the “blue ribbon” committee? In fact, since we live in a representative Republic, the people must decide this matter with a vote.
Howard Freedlander says
The county councilpersons, duly elected to make tough decisions, would appoint the members of the blue-ribbon commission, whose recommendations would be considered and discussed by the county council after conducting public hearings. The elected representatives would do their jobs with public input.
Paul Callahan says
Isn’t that allot more complicated and time consuming than just putting the issue on the ballot and deciding this once and for all? If after all that and the monument stays we will just go through this again in a year and members of the commission will be labeled racist and other accusations made. This has been the third time in 5 years this monument has been debated. It will just keep going. Put it on the ballot and decide this democratically – whichever side that doesn’t get their way should then accept the choice of our citizens and just move on to more constructive endeavors.
Tom Malone says
Right on Howard! In this context, one could make the case that monuments that highlight persons who made a major positive contribution to the evolution of the American government and its culture, should not be removed (e.g., the founding fathers, Lincoln – even Columbus). The Talbot Boys fail in this regard. Put the statue in a museum that captures the essence of the Civil War. Symbolism is powerful.
Stephen Schaare says
Tom, The anarchists ARE taking down the monuments to Lincoln, Columbus, etc.. Nice thought, but…
Matt LaMotte says
This whole sordid affair should be an embarrassment to every Talbot County resident! Not everyone reads the ATLANTIC magazine, but we’re featured in it because of these sorry circumstances. Way to put us on the map!!
Sadly, too, there’s other statuary in that square that has gone unnoticed by most everyone, the VietNam War Veteran’s Memorial. Whether you agreed with that war or not, those individuals gave “the last full measure” for THIS country!
Anne Stalfort says
I am so sick of this. Why are you dragging Frederick Douglass into this? Douglass was placed in the Courthouse Square because he is the most notable individual to be born in Talbot County. Our mission to get a Douglass monument placed in the place of honor in our county, was not a part of a both sides argument. If the Talbot Boys monument didn’t exist, I still would have fought to get Fred on the Square.
If you remove Douglass in some ridiculous both sides argument, get rid of the other monuments too. The problem is honoring the Confederacy – period. The rest of the country realizes this, why don’t we? Stop trying to placate people who believe in the Lost Cause.
Jeannie Whitesell says
Very true, Anne. This is not a black/white issue. It is a right/wrong issue.
Christine Murray says
Well said, Howard. I’m proud of the intelligence, courage, and leadership shown by Pack and Lesher. Let’s remember this next time we vote for our County Council.
Stephen Schaare says
When DO we next vote on Council members?
Jon Powers says
While I usually find myself siding with you, Mr. Freedlander, I defer this time. The Talbot Boys statue is a joke on all of us and deserves no more serious discussion.
Howard Freedlander says
Au contraire, Mr. Powers. The Talbot Boys monument does deserve more discussion, because people on both sides of the removal
debate are serious about their views. We can continue talking, to no avail. We can wait till 202: for the next county council election. Or we can seek a solution, if possible. Stalemates accomplish nothing.
Bishop Joel Marcus Johnson says
Respectfully, only time and the river will resolve the thorny issue of the Confederate statue. Therefore, I propose a memorial on the court house green to the thousands of slaves of Talbot County and especially to those bought and sold in the slave market there. Its design the result of a juried competition, this re-circulating fountain would consist of descending layers of black Maryland shale, its waters gently cascading into the soil, symbolic of the tears of these captive people, the sound of the waters near moot. The uppermost height of the fountain should be no more than half that of the Confederate statue, and bear only the words of Moses, “Let my people go.” I will propose this to the County Council. It’s purpose strictly memorial, and apart from time and the river, it would tell which pales in the public conscience faster, this memorial or the Confederate statue.
Stephen Schaare says
Hi Bishop, What is this “time and the river” reference?
Bishop Joel Marcus Johnson says
Thank you, Stephen. The reference is to Heraclitus, the ancient Greek religious and scientific philosopher. He famously said, “No man ever steps in the same river twice,” which has both scientific and religious meaning. For example, the Mississippi River in St. Louis is not the same river as it was ten minutes ago because that spate of water has flown away, which is a scientific statement. But it also is a religious statement, that you cannot re-capture time in a bucket because your body, mind and soul are always changing. ….. It also is the title of a beautiful love ballad by Nat King Cole ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt6CqZIdaw8 ), and of a novel by Thomas Wolfe. So, what do you think about the slave memorial?
Stephen Schaare says
Dear Bishop, Thank you for your thoughtful reply. From all the controversy and heartache brought about by “the talbot boys”, I must say I do not believe in any statues on the court house property. The monument to slavery is another look backwards. Though you mean well, this would be another mess.Thank you again.
Chuck Zirman says
I agree with the post and also take exception with those who voted against, then chose to slink away with soft, convenient excuses. Every day the battles wages, here on the Spy and social media, and I find it hard to believe that further public discussion would yield other points of view not yet voiced.
Now correct me if I’m wrong, but they did have other options. They could have abstained, or if not feeling ‘up to the task’ could have stepped down and resigned their positions. Let’s also remember the council members are not doing the people’s work out of the goodness of their hearts, they are county employees and each is paid $14,400 per year of our tax dollars to represent us and yes, when the moment calls, to make the difficult decisions. They voted no because they want that statue to remain where it is, regardless of the pain it causes a significant portion of their constituency.