The Spy asked for readers’ views on whether statues and monuments meant to honor Confederate soldiers should remain in place or be removed. And, we pointed out that the debate in Talbot County about one such statue, The Talbot Boys, is very much alive once again.
The Talbot Spy results overall indicate a majority favor removing these statues with 58% indicating a desire to see them removed. But, this is not the whole story. It is a bit more complicated when you look at how long respondents have lived on the Eastern Shore. Readers who have lived here over 20 years are more evenly divided over keeping the statues in place with less than a majority (48%) suggesting they should be removed. However, for those residing on the Shore 20 or fewer years there is a strong sentiment to see the statues removed with 72% favoring removal.
Perhaps this is what makes shaping public policy around the statues and monuments so challenging. Many readers who favored removal of the statues did comment that they should go to a museum or historical location and not be on official government grounds.
And, we remind you, our survey represents the views of readers who choose to participate and may not match the views of the entire community. We do appreciate the active participation in this survey by our readers.
Talbot Spy Survey #13 Results
Meg Canfield says
I don’t dare comment on any subject that could result in me being fired for “racist” , and in dangers my family. Given what has being happening in this country. I not being overly dramatic, especially given what is going on in this country.
The result is that I can’t exercise my Constitutional rights.
I remain censored.
Alan Boisvert says
Well, if you are afraid of speaking your mind(big problem in this country), why write anything?
Deirdre LaMotte says
Well then, I am sure you sympathize with the horrific
plight of Black Americans for over 200 years. Correct?
Christopher Thomas says
You constitutional right to free speech protects you from persecution from the government, not private or public companies. You are censoring yourself for fear or consequence from your employer. Freedom from consequence is not an inalienable right.
Meg Canfield says
Just noticed your claim to “editorial discretionary”. nothing personal, but I’ll be curious to see if my comment doesn’t see the light of day.
That’s how crazy it’s gotten
Keith Alan Watts, Esq. says
Dear President Pack, Vice President Callahan and Honorable Council Persons,
I agree with Ms. Canfield. Her comments are powerful, genuine and thoughtful. They are not colored by avarice or by beliefs — conscious or otherwise — that have long since lost their luster in the eyes of reasonable men and women. Her sentiments come from the heart.
The monument in its entirety must be relocated. It must go.
Bishop Joel Marcus Johnson says it best in his interview with The Spy. As you watch, do not look away, do not look down, do not avert your gaze from the frightful photograph he shares.
A photograph so shocking, shameful and sad, that tears of pain cannot help but well up in the eyes of any man or woman who feels and has love for one another. In another life, another time, “they” could be “me.”
Or you.
The Talbot Slave Market.
https://talbotspy.org/the-talbot-boys-conversation-redux-bishop-joel-marcus-johnson/
The Talbot. Slave. Market . . . . The Talbot County Courthouse — let that sink in — our Courthouse — is right there in that photograph . . . . Steps from the Slaves.
Most — if not all — of the people in the photograph Bishop Johnson shares were ripped apart from their families, separated and sold. Never more would they see the ones they loved again. Never more would they laugh with them. Never more would they hug them, kiss them, touch them and know the joy of being together with them.
With each other. Like the families they were. Like our own families.
Ever.
The last remaining symbol of servitude in the State of Maryland, the last remaining symbol of shame, the last remaining symbol of centuries of oppression still stands in our public square. On hallowed government ground.
Honorable Council Persons, ask yourself: if someone kidnapped your mother, your father, your sister, your brother, your daughter or your son — and sold them — shackled in chains — where would you like us to put the statue and its base? Where is the proper resting place for the cold lifeless stone, the gray monolith highlighting the names of those who — for whatever reason they thought was right — fought to perpetuate human bondage in Talbot County? It ok to admit they were wrong. They were human. And as humans they were perfect – perfect in their imperfections.
Honorable Council Person Lesher, thank you for your call to relocate “The Talbot Boys.” Your leadership springs from the humility and compassion you share for your fellow women and men.
I have hope that — each of you — and all of you together — and all of us — will join together in a common moment of grace, humility and determination. And do the right thing on June 23rd.
Relocate “The Talbot Boys” with whatever respect they may be due to the Talbot Historical Society.
All. Of. It.
Unanimously.
Together.
Respectfully,
Keith Watts
Tilghman Island
Bob Parker says
To the Editor,
Most of the statues commemorating Confederate Generals were erected well past the end of the Civil war, largely from 1880-1920’s, a time during implementation of Jim Crow laws. These statues were part of the effort to create the false narrative of the “Lost Cause”, a narrative designed to obscure the fact that the Civil War was instigated and fought by the South to preserve the institution of slavery. These statues were part of the process to continue subjugation of black Americans. While part of Southern history, these statues do not celebrate any successes of the United States of America. These Generals fought against this country not for it; their actions were not those of heroes but rather of traitors. Would it make sense to have statues of Benedict Arnold, Cornwall or of King George III to glorify our war for Independence? In contrast, monuments erected to honor the dead in the Civil War commemorate the sacrifices the ordinary man made during this war rather than the war itself. Consequently, I can see a rationale for maintaining these memorials without including iconography of the Confederate States.