In recent months, we have seen the town of Chestertown take unprecedented steps to recognize and begin to address the long-standing effects of racism. Under the leadership of Mayor Chris Cerino and myself as chair of the Equity Advisory Committee, the town is about to embark upon a sixteen-month plan for community engagement on race as part of the larger #chestertownunitesagainstracism movement. The Town plan lays out a series of significant initiatives that are poised to grow in importance with additional input and participation not only from the Black community but from the larger community and all its citizens as well.
These steps are a promising start to a long journey ahead as Chestertown moves to become a community that takes action against the social injustice that continues to play a role in the lives of its citizens.
However, as auspicious as these beginnings might be, Chestertown is home to only a quarter of the inhabitants of Kent County. If we are to truly tackle issues of race and social justice, we need to focus not just on Chestertown, but also on the larger issues of systemic racism in Kent County.
By now many citizens have heard about or expressed concerns about racial issues in our county, whether racial slurs being hurled at Washington College students, a high school student hanging black action figures from a noose and rope, or fights based on racial slurs and incidents at Kent County Middle School. If we are to address racism in our education system and gentrification within our county and develop cultural understanding and empathy in our community, we must demand a strong response from the leadership of our Kent County Commissioners.
Unfortunately, thus far, the three commissioners have not demonstrated a sincere willingness to lead on this issue. When asked their thoughts on racism in Kent County during their campaigns in 2018, Ron Fithian replied that he had never seen racism in Kent County. Bob Jacob equated the racial prejudices of white towards blacks to the prejudices that Chestertown residents voice toward people from Rock Hall. Tom Mason replied that he had noticed the separation of races in Kent County, but did not know how to explain that segregation.
County Commissioner Bob Jacob even joked about an African American school being demolished at a County Commissioners’ meeting on 9/29/2020 when the Kent Cultural Alliance requested a letter of support for a grant application for the building where Isaac Mason was enslaved and will be memorialized. County Commissioner Bob Jacob said, “I mean, I thought they were tearing down everything that had something to do with slaves.”
This year, on Sept. 26, County Commissioner Bob Jacob participated in a local political event where the confederate flag was unrepentantly on display. I would like to ask Bob Jacob and the other commissioners their thoughts on the implications of displaying that flag and on its, trauma which has sustained a deep-rooted impact on the Black community.
The Commissioners’ actions and comments show a lack of understanding as well as poor leadership; such actions and comments are dismissive not only to the Black community but to all citizens of Kent County.
The Commissioners need to educate themselves about issues of social and racial injustice; they also need to take concrete action to move our community forward.
The Kent County Commissioners should seek a plan of action from an intersectional coalition of leaders in our community to begin the dialogue and open the lines of communication within those communities. Then, they should establish a Board of Equity for Social Justice for the county since the county has not had anything of relevance since the dissolving of the Human Rights Commission in 2011. They should adopt a plan similar to the 16-month plan that the Town of Chestertown recently adopted but create a more expansive commission to work with county citizens of all ethnicities and cultural backgrounds.
In closing, I respectfully urge the Commissioners of Kent County not to forget this moment in history and to consider how we can move together as a community in unity.
John Queen is the director of BlackUnion in Kent County and co-founder of Bayside Hoyas
Ron Jordan says
John, thanks for your salient sentiments. The greater community of Kent County is led by three men who have no idea of what goes on inside and outside this county, they are not unaware, they don’t care. The sad thing is as public servants, they are truly on trying to serve those they know and not those they don’t. If public servants, John don’t care to serve all their constituents whether they are the majority or the minority, then they are only serving those they deem worthy of their attention. Sure, it is hard to be a public servant as well as public advocate, each serves a purpose but both serve the communities they care about. The commissioners chose to be public servants, which means you all must step up to the plate and serve all of Kent County. If you all can’t change with the times, then it is time to be a citizen again and let others serve in your place. It is far better to resign your place because you won’t or can’t work in the present and or have any vision of the future that will include a expansion of racial, gender and the sexual orientation of the citizens of Kent County. Though, if you can, reach to John Queen, Rev.Tolliver, Paul Tue and the others that are more aware of the acute issues of racism of this county. Gentlemen, don’t let the world past us by because your ineptness and lack of vision. The train of freedom from systemic racism is leaving the station, are you on board or again, standing at the station because you don’t have the courage to change?
Carol Dobson says
Well said Ron Jordan. I will add that women of color along with white women and men are active leaders in this pursuit of racial justice and equity in Chestertown & Kent County. Many of us are active through membership in our churches, Social Action for Racial Justice, Bayside Hoyas, Sumner Hall, Main Street Chestertown, many businesses and community members on their own. Particularly take note of Wanda Boyer, Arlene Lee & Maria Wood who organized and led the first acts of public recognition of social justice as citizens by succeeding to bring the Chestertown Council on board with painting murals on our downtown streets, Black Lives Matter & We Can’t Breathe. If all of us who are concerned and motivated to work together by holding open public planning meetings, our creativity and outcomes will be products of inclusive community cohesiveness. Let’s expand our organizational efforts and invite each other to the planning process.
John, Paul and Rev. Tolliver as well as numerous others have stepped up to the plate. Let’s be sure that all who want to participate are included. Post dates and times for planning meetings around town with flyers, The Pilot, The Spy, KCPN, Church Bulletins and local radio stations. Get the word out far and wide so people know their input is important and needed.
Thanks to everyone who reads the the Letters to the Editor, Opinion Pieces, and replies online. We may be Covid quarantined for a while longer but Zoom is safe and effective. We can grow our connections and contribute to community cohesiveness while staying safe. Best wishes to everyone for a time of reflection and celebration for our blessings.
Wanda says
B oyer
L ee
M aria
Without these three ladies starting the neccessary conversation and bringing them to the forefront with the BLM n WE CAN’T BREATH murals CHESTERTOWN UNITES AGAINST RACISM would not exist. I would really like to thank the person that sent the catch phrase in the chat box while we were fighting to get the murals passed. UNFORTUNATELY THE MURALS APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN FORGOTTEN. UNDERSTAND WE WOULD STILL BE CLOSED MOUTHED IF NOT FOR THE THREE WOMAN NOTED ABOVE WHO JUMPED MANY OBSTACLES FOR US TO GET THE MURALS NOT 1 BUT 2.
THE THINGS THAT ARE BEING IMPLEMENTED IN THE 16 MONTH PLAN ARE ALL IDEAS THAT WERE BEING DISCUSSED AS THE ORGINIZERS OF THE MURALS WERE IN THE DEVELOPEMENT. THE 16 MONTH PLAN IS GREAT BUT SHOULD HAVE DEVELOPED MORE PLANS IN ADDITION TO THOSE THAT WERE ALREADY IN THE WORKS.
INCLUSIVITY HMM
IN CLOSING WOMEN ARE FIGHTERS N GET ER DONE STOP DISMISSING US.
BLM