No better sign of the Talbot County Council’s ineptitude strikes a discordant chord more than the lawsuit filed two weeks ago by the NAACP and the ACLU to remove the Talbot Boys Monument from the public space in front of the county courthouse.
The lawsuit is a direct result of lack of responsiveness and responsibility on the part of the county council. It voted more than a year-and-a-half ago to retain the offensive Confederate monuments. It has done nothing to assuage public opinion, beyond pleasing those determined to keep the monument as is, a statement of white supremacy in the minds of those advocating its removal.
That the monument is the only one representing the Confederacy on public space in Maryland seemingly is a badge of honor to Councilpersons Chuck Callahan, Frank Divilio and Laura Price. Embarrassment is not a factor. Standing your ground amid a public uproar seems preferable to removal of a symbol of Confederate opposition to a united country and an end to slavery.
Lawsuits typically happen when civil discourse ceases. Compromise is no longer achievable. A courtroom or judge’s office becomes the only venue for a legal settlement. A failure to resolve differences produces a litigious outcome, expensive in time, cost and emotion.
I again listened, painfully so, to council proceedings on October 27, 2020 when the council voted 3-2 against a request by Richard Potter, president of the local NAACP, and other community leaders, to meet with the county’s five elected leaders. Both Corey Pack, then the council president, and Councilperson Pete Lesher voted in favor of granting the request. Had I not already known the result of the frequently acrimonious discussion, I would have recoiled from the cowardly stance expressed by Callahan, Divilio and Price.
The three councilpersons adamantly argued against a public hearing for fear of emotional and possibly inflammatory comments voiced by proponents of moving the Talbot Boys Monument. Each one questioned the efficacy of a public hearing, preferring to meet individually with those favoring removal of the monument. Callahan advocated for the question to be submitted to the voters in 2022, ignoring his previous comments during his political service asserting that he and others are elected to take stands on difficult issues, not hide behind a ballot question, to do their jobs.
I found the position taken by the threesome oddly ironic. A public hearing that might become rancorous should be avoided in favor of private conversations, so their reasoning seemed to illustrate. Few people like contention. That I understand.
What puzzles me was a 3-2 decision to pursue non-public conversations, forsaking the role of officials elected to conduct business in front of their constituents.
Pack and Lesher promoted a public hearing to no avail. The latter opined that acceding to the request for a meeting would “restore a spirit of civility and mutual respect.” Pack apologized for his 2015 vote opposing removal of the highly controversial Confederate monument, saying he was “ashamed” of his role. He agreed with Lesher about the potentially harmful effect on tourism and the hospitality business. The two councilpersons bemoaned a statue that exudes an aura of a non-welcoming county that eschews equity and justice.
It is no wonder that the Talbot County Council is the subject of an avoidable lawsuit. A majority of the five-person council voted against public dialogue. It voted against trying to reach common ground with passionate civic leaders intent on moving the Talbot Boys Monument.
It was a mistake.
By refusing to meet with those favoring removal of a hostile symbol entrenched on public ground, Callahan, Divilio and Price exhibited blatant disrespect for the views expressed by residents who disagreed with them.
The threesome closed the door to public dialogue. The decision was regrettable.
As I listened, I sensed an unproductive defensiveness on the part of the three deniers of a legitimate request. They seemed to resent being placed in a position to decide whether to exercise their responsibilities to meet in what might have been a confrontational meeting.
If you read the comments of congressional members nationwide who hold town meetings, you realize that these events can be raucous and discordant. You also learn that the congressional representatives understand that disagreement expressed publicly comes with democratic government.
The lawsuit will now consume time and money. It will prove embarrassing to Talbot County, placing its flawed thinking in the national spotlight. It will diminish its reputation as a desirable place to live, work and play.
Communication can be fraught and fractious. It also can be helpful in calming turmoil and dissension.
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.
Henry Herr says
I agree with this article. It should be mentioned too, that this lawsuit is not without precedent. See here: https://richmond.com/news/state-and-regional/judge-orders-lee-portrait-removed-from-louisa-county-courtroom/article_b7736077-be6a-594c-a422-331e34f1e442.html
A portrait of Robert E. Lee was removed from the court because it was determined that the court could not give the defendant a free and balanced trial.
This sad debate has turned into “preserving history” vs creating a equitable community. Maryland historians agree, Confederate statues do not represent history.
The council has repeatedly listened to experts to make policy decisons, including health officials for COVID protocols and the police for recommendations for police reform. Why does the council refuse to listen to historical experts with vast credentials?
This lawsuit is a sad step but was needed because it is so plain to see that a majority of the council does not want to listen to it’s constituents. How can the council call for meetings with individuals, but then refuse to meet with them?
History will not forget the names that fought to keep the last Confederate statue in Maryland. The statue will be removed, it’s just a matter of time now.
Howard Freedlander says
A blemish on Talbot County.
Pattie Slagle says
This is about NOT FORGETTING OUR HISTORY! Good, bad, ugly. So Cancel Culture Henry Herr? Really? Why are you so hot to remove that statue?
Why so hot to refight the Civil War? Why so hot to cause trouble between our citizens?
Explain to me what is an “equitable community”? There is no such thing.
Historical experts with “vast knowledge” ?
Your post is laughable.
Henry Herr says
Not forgetting the Civil War history? What history is represented by the Talbot Boys? Are there any studies to show Civil War knowledge grows with the presence of statues?
I explained that if you want to say “preserve history” why not ask historians? Why not ask published Maryland Civil War historians the history?
For the record, I’m not trying to cause any trouble for citizens, only amplifying the voices already there. Why was the Eastern Shore one of the last areas to integrate schools? Why was there a KKK meeting at the courthouse in the 1980s? Why was there KKK literature spread in the 2010s in Talbot County? Was that trouble? Why don’t you care for them?
James Wilson says
I still am dumbfounded about their proposal to replace the statue with, and this is really really, really hard to believe, another statue honoring Confederate soldiers … and Union soldiers as an afterthought.
Was there any public discourse about this idea? I forget.
Howard Freedlander says
Discourse has been sparse.
Anne Stalfort says
That Unity statue idea would be funny if Price and friends weren’t so serious about it. They don’t have a clue how it could still be offensive. The whole idea of a unity statue infuriates me.
Gren Whitman says
Given that the Confederate statue hasn’t been removed from in front of the Easton courthouse, the very last such monument in Maryland to Southern treason, it would seem that Talbot County’s motto—”Tempus Praeteritum et Futurum”—should be translated loosely as “Not now; later. Maybe.”
Howard Freedlander says
Better to hide than face the public.
Davis says
Mr. Freelander, thank you for your excellent article. The Council has, indeed, gone down a road that will cost Talbot citizens tax money and will undermine the reputation of the County.
During the Vietnam war, the American military once claimed you had to destroy a village in order to save it. I wonder if the Council is thinking the same way. You have to trash Talbot County to save it from….. people seeking social justice?, ..from residents who are offended by racist symbols on the County’s land? …from religious and other leaders who think it is unethical to honor people who fought to keep people enslaved?..from whom? I wish the Council would put out a statement identifying the people they think they are saving by sacrificing the reputation of the County.
Howard Freedlander says
Enlightened leadership is lacking on three-fifths of the Talbot County Council.
Howard Freedlander says
Articulation of a vision for the future , specifically a way forward in resolving a divisive community issue, seems to be beyond the capability or willingness of the council’s three-person majority. I suspect that Callahan, Divilio and Price are stalling as they await a ballot question. They then could say that the public participated, ignoring the damage done in the meantime to the county’s reputation.
Anne Stalfort says
I agree with Howard’s comments.
Carol Voyles says
Bottom line: A monument on public grounds is meant to celebrate and honor. Our Talbot Boys may have been doing their families’ bidding, but their cause was not honorable.
Howard Freedlander says
The cause for which they were fighting tore the country apart at the loss of thousands and thousands of lives. The cause entailed acceptance of slavery and its destructive effect on the lives of American citizens.
Jon Powers says
Concerning your piece on the latest Talbot Boys debate, well said once again Mr. Freedlander. Once again you display your ability to express in cogent wording the case for both sides of an issue.
We miss your physical presence on the streets of Easton yet praise your staying in touch.
Sincerely,
Jon Powers
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, Jon. We miss “back home.”’
Paul Callahan says
Howard, You forgot to mention how Richard Potter publicly called our three council members “racist” for not agreeing with his position or how he repeatedly bullied Laura Price with accusations of “white privilege”.
You also failed to mention that Richard has to this day refused to apologize for his inappropriate comments. Yet you wonder why the council won’t “meet” with with him and his group – as if the council is at fault?
With conduct such as this who would ever want to meet with him or his group again?
Is there anyone at the Spy that actually desires to report a story without extreme bias? That will conduct any sort of due diligence? Nope…
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, Paul. Since the founding of our nation, public officials have been the recipients of inflammatory accusations. It comes with the territory, unpleasant as it is. The comments can sting and sear. The words used by Richard Potter represent the NAACP’s justifiable anger and frustration at the unwillingness of Callahan, Divilio and Price to take action to remove a symbol of hostility and prejudice on public land in front of the courthouse. Mr. Potter’s words do not justify a decision to block a public hearing about a divisive community matter.
Judy Wixted says
Thank you Mr. Freedlander for a succinct and articulate point of view column.
Mr. Callahan, Mr. Divilio and Ms. Price, squandered an opportunity to right a historic wrong and open an honest dialog about the full history of Talbot County. Their continued obdurate refusal to honor a legitimate request for a meeting can only lead to one conclusion. They must be replaced with council members who would better represent a 21st Century Talbot County.
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, Judy. You are right. An election will determine if the county wishes to rehire Callahan, Divilio and Price.The decision will be easy for many.
Paul Callahan says
Not at the county level such comments are totally inappropriate.
You are attempting to justify racists, inappropriate and inflammatory behavior that is not acceptable anywhere in our community. Mr. Potter does not get a free pass because of the color of his skin.
Secondly you blame the council when the matter was debated by all parties and decided upon by OUR elected officials. No “new” information has been presented by the MtM – they just want a “do over” since they didn’t get their way.
Finally – let’s be honest, the MtM coalition is 95% white liberals who claim to speak for the black community.
Even our local NAACP only has 150 local members a single digit percentage.
They are fully against a vote by the people since they know they are not the majority view.
Why not just bring it to a vote of the people?
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you, again, Paul, I’m not sure how you know that the Move the Monument coalition comprises 95% white liberals. Have you actually surveyed the group and determined their political affinities? Do you believe that white conservatives favor retention of the monument? Do you have evidence that white conservatives support your position? And may I assume that you believe it is perfectly acceptable that an elected body refuses to meet with citizens who have disagreed vehemently with three of the five county council members?
One last question, Mr. Callahan: do you believe that debating with you is a waste of time for both of us?
Paul Callahan says
Howard, Yes it probably is a waste of time. I like to deal in facts and place truth and integrity first and foremost. Some don’t care about that; only about forwarding a cause.
If you review the Move the Monument Facebook page you will see the vast majority are white, mostly woman. Very, very few African Americans. The lawsuits states that Talbot’s NAACP has 150 members – a very small percentage of Talbot’s black community. Is the MtM 95% white liberals? No idea- just a guesstimate from an observation.
But I have read your article – so why all of a sudden are you now so concerned with facts?
Debbie Jeon says
Mr. Callahan:
It is impossible for me to believe that neither you nor Councilwoman Price truly believe you have not benefitted from white privilege in your current lives. I have, you have, all of us white Marylanders in positions of prominence have. Why, in your mind, is it not okay for Richard Potter to speak that truth? If anyone has earned the right, he has, in my view.
Paul says
That is the most absolute racist comment I have ever heard in the Spy. Who are you to judge anyone?
Dr. Ibram X Kendi in his book on how to be an “Anti-racist” says it is racists to judge an individual by his group and vis versa. So your racist comment is not just my personal opinion.
You want to pull the “white privilege” card on me? Let’s see about that.
As a kid I cut neighbors lawns for $3 per yard. With this I saved enough money to buy a small crabbing skiff. At age 11 I went to the courthouse to get a commercial crabbing license. I crabbed every morning of every summer.
With this along with student loans I paid for my college education. I crabbed every summer during college and worked in the cafeteria during school. My parents were poor but did chip in what they could – but not much.
The college degree qualified me for a commission in the USMC after 12 weeks of the most difficult officer’s candidates training in our Nation. From this I qualified for Navy flight school and after 10 years of service to my country I transitioned to a commuter airline making $17, 000 my first year – not enough to support my family. After two years I was hired my a major airline.
Where is the “white privilege” you assert?
My neighbors did not care if I was white or black when I cut their grass – only that I did the job on the appointed day.
The clerk of court did not care if I was white or black when I got my crabbing license – only that I paid the $15 fee.
The Marine Corp cared not of my race but only that I met their standards and was able to complete USMC OCS.
Navy flight school cared not of my race but only that I was the most qualified for the slot.
The college tuition applications did ask of my race and I guarantee you if I was a minority I would have received plenty of financial assistance. I was a white kid who was working his butt off and got no grants or scholarships.
The major airlines also asked of my race. Many of us ex-military were at the commuters making less then poverty wages trying to support families. We watched as young minorities and woman almost half our age with just a fraction of our flight experience and no military training, land the jobs at the major airlines well before us. It was all about race and the majors needed to “diversify”. We understood, we had become mentors to these young kids at the commuters and had helped many during their initial training. Some even apologized to us that they had landed a career job with the majors. We only congratulated them and wished them well.
Ms. Debbie Jeon – where is the “white privilege” you assert?
Your comment where you automatically judge a person by their race is a racist comment.
Editor says
Editor note: We will be closing the comments for this article this evening.
John Griep says
On white privilege:
https://www.yesmagazine.org/social-justice/2017/07/24/10-examples-that-prove-white-privilege-exists-in-every-aspect-imaginable
https://nationalseedproject.org/Key-SEED-Texts/white-privilege-unpacking-the-invisible-knapsack
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_privilege
https://www.learningforjustice.org/magazine/fall-2018/what-is-white-privilege-really
https://guides.usfca.edu/white-privilege-resource-guide
Keith Alan Watts, Esq. says
Moving
* * * *
The seeds were sown,
Twenty score and two years ago.
Of Human Bondage,
And zero sum games . . . .
That one must lose for another to win,
A false negative belief.
That one — to feel greater — does so at the expense of others. Their Neighbors.
Making them feeling lesser,
Is deception,
Spawning hurt and grief.
History is,
What it is.
Or is it?
Dead metal symbols can move
To a place,
Of respect and dignity.
No longer casting shadows of infamy,
On the threshold of Justice and Liberty.
All We need is the will to See.
Moving the Verdigris Thorn
Of Our Community,
Will not, despite well-meaning, but
Errant beliefs,
Erase that which has gone before.
History.
What moving will do,
Is show Our capacity
For Humanity,
Towards each other. We, the Living.
They say a Judge was beaten. Held hostage.
On the blind scale of Justice, there is no scorekeeping.
Yet,
How many others were beaten?
How many others held hostage?
Their existence in chains, forever un-Free . . . .
Freedom.
For whom?
You?
Freedom for me?
Freedom finally for all who lost their Liberty?
This is the Time,
This is the Place,
Because we each have within us,
An Amazing Grace
To forgive, yet not forget
Our History.
Set everyone free.
Move,
The Verdigris . . . .
* * * *