Why are some people asking that question now? How do we consider a question like that? Well, let us put that question in an historical context. The first African slaves were sold in Jamestown Virginia to English colonist in 1619. Did black lives matter? Over the next 246 years, African Americans were slaves. Bought and sold. Often brutally treated with no recourse in the law. Did black lives matter?
While Frederick Douglass was a fugitive slave, he was considered stolen property. He was not a person in the eyes of the law. Harriet Tubman, who spent a lifetime fighting injustice, believed strongly in those hallowed words, “We hold these truths to be self – evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are, Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” It was her patriotic duty to fight injustice. Even though her life did not count according to the Constitution.
The Fugitive slave Act 1850, Federal government to return slaves to owners. Dred Scott Decision, 1857. Chief Justice Taney, from Maryland, concluded Slaves cannot be citizens and are in fact, property. President James Buchanan agreed. Plessy vs Ferguson, 1896. Supreme Court decision. Segregation is legal. Jim Crow laws last 100 years. Housing, banking, education, churches, restrictions on voting. Do black lives matter?
The Tulsa race massacre, 1921. Did black lives matter? Black soldiers returning home from World War I and II, Korea and Vietnam, who fought with dignity, still faced legal segregation in housing, banking, education, voting and even water fountains. Addie Mae Collins. Cynthia Wesley. Carole Robertson. Carol Denise McNair. Killed in a Birmingham church bombing in 1963. Martin Luther King Jr. Letter from a Birmingham Jail. The Gospel of Freedom, 1963. Martin Luther King Jr. killed 1968. Congressman John Lewis spent a lifetime fighting injustice. That is what a patriot does. What he left undone. Falls to us.
Elijah McNair. George Floyd. How do we show that black lives matter to us today? Paint the Mural on High Street.
Wayne T. Gilchrest is the former Congressman for the 1st District of Maryland.
Susan Mishaw says
I want to Thank you for running this letter from Wayne Gilcrest.
Historically correct. Unfortunately there are people in this area and the world who refuse to believe the truth. Let the mural be painted and open up the conversation.
Melinda Bookwalter says
Thank you, Wayne. This gave me chills and perspective.
Bob Ozinga says
Thank you, (former) Congressman, for this clarifying, patriotic perspective. Great to hear from you on this most urgent, most American matter.
Hugh B Silcox says
While I welcome and applaud Congressman Gilchrest’s letter, I have to admit I was put off (just a bit) by his concluding and — to my mind — somewhat simplistic — injunction.
Painting some bricks will not “show that black lives matter.”
As Mr Gilchrest’s letter chronicles, the legacy of racism is of many years’ — and many generations’– creation. Perhaps paint on bricks can signal a beginning of the process to right those wrongs … but It is only a beginning — not an emblem of any kind of successful accomplishment or conclusion.
Marlon D.Deaton says
People who think Kneeling is DISRESPECTFUL To The Military READTHE FOURTH PARAGRAPH..
Terra Deaton says
Some still won’t get it, especially those that keep saying “All lives matter.” No one’s denying that, but right now we’re concentrating on the plight of black people in this country. The injustice, inequality, bruality, economic deprivation and all that we continue to be denied and have to endure. How long do we have to live before we can completely enjoy the right to “life,liberty and the pursuit of happiness?”
Beverly Smith says
Thank you pointing out some of the significant events in American history which clearly show that black lives did not matter. This is a history which most of us were never taught in school, and since I don’t have children, do not know if it included today. I do know that you only pointed out some of the “low-lights” of American history and that you could have included much much more.
I am heartened that your article is getting a positive response. Would that more people listen and acknowledge the truth about America’s dark past.
I would also like to say thank you to Hugh B. Silcox and to reiterate his response that the sign is only a beginning. I have said in the past, painting Black Lives Matter on the street is a small gesture but not even close to a solution. Our whole nation, which includes Chestertown and Kent County, needs to not only continue the conversation but also to find and to take DEFINITE STEPS to bring the racial justice issue forward to a positive point. As John Lewis wrote in his op-ed in the New York Times to be published on the day of his funeral: “Now it is your turn to let freedom ring.”
John Killeen says
How do we show that black lives matter to us today? Transfer the anti-Black inter-generational wealth accumulated by Kent County families and institutions to the descendants of enslaved Black people. Do what you can, with the spirit of love.
Jenifer Emley says
I agree. Paint the mural on High Street.
Karen Brooks says
It has been proven that Black lives matter in this country and throughout the industrialized world. Had it not been for Black lives and Brown lives, White lives would not be enjoying the privileges they currently believe themselves to be entitled to. Every since Black people were stolen from African their skills, knowledge, and gifts have been exploited for White privilege. So White people, since it has been made obvious to you and the rest of the world that Black people are not packing up and leaving what Black lives built, when are you going to begin to accept that fact? When are you going to stop creating the need for marches and protest? Racism was and is a creation of White minds. Until White minds created the White race, there was only only one race – the Human race. Since then, we have seen how sub-humane some people can be. When are you going to accept your role in the mess you created and continue to perpetrate? The fact that a conversation has to be held over a mural that will remind you that had it not been for Black lives, some white lives would be not be enjoying the privileges that other White lives can only wish for, is very telling. The truth of the matter is that the mural would be a reminder of the great divide in this nation that has been blamed on Black lives. It is not just Black and Brown lives that have been negatively impacted in this country, but White lives. That mural will remind the White marginalized poor who are barely making it that White privilege is NOT shared by ALL White people. That mural would will be a reminder to those in non-privileged White America of the accomplishments of Black lives they have not been able to cash in on. So I say paint the mural and prove me wrong. For years rich White people have made poor White people believe that Black people are the enemy. We are not and have never been in the way of White progress. It has been because of Black lives and poor under privileged White lives that Chestertown is having a discussion on whether to paint a mural. It has always been the few at the top oppressing everyone they felt were not entitled to enjoy what they enjoy. Maybe the mural will wake you up to the reality that it has been the Quiet Privileged that keep racism alive. All they have to do is share the wealth, but instead they stir your anger away from them, so they can continue to prosper and keep you marginalized and on the fringes all the while making you think you are where you are economically and socially because of Black lives. Paint the mural!
Julie says
I think Congressman Gilchrest says it very well. Paint the mural. Let’s contribute to healing hearts and mending fences