TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION IN MARYLAND: BEGINNING THE CONVERSATION
Sunday, October 20, 2019 – 4:00 p.m. at Sumner Hall
On April 18, 2019, Governor Hogan signed a law establishing the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission – the first of its kind in the nation. At least 40 African Americans were lynched by white mobs in Maryland between 1854-1933 and no person was ever tried, convicted, or otherwise brought to justice for participating in these racially motivated lynchings. In addition, various state, county, and local government entities colluded in the commission of these crimes and conspired to conceal the identities of the parties involved. No victim’s family or community ever received a formal apology or compensation from state, county, or local government entities for the violent loss of their family members. In 1882, James Taylor was lynched by a white mob on Cross Street in Chestertown, Maryland. This law empowers the Commission to conduct research, document all Maryland lynchings, hold regional public hearings, receive suggestions and ideas from affected communities and make recommendations for addressing the legacy of lynching that are rooted in the spirit of restorative justice.
AGENDA
- Welcome and Overview……………………………………………………………………..Larry Wilson, President, Sumner Hall
- Acknowledgments and Introductions…………………………………….Barbara Foster, Second Vice-President, Sumner Hall
- Why are we here?………………………………….. Philip Dutton, Co-Chair, James Taylor Lynching Remembrance Coalition
- Maryland Lynching Memorial Project……………………………….……………………………….……Will Schwarz, President
- Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission…………………………Marshall F. Stevenson, Jr., Commissioner
- Questions and Conversation…….……………………………………………………………………………………Barbara Foster
- Thanks and Appreciation………………………………………………………Ruth Shoge, First Vice-President, Sumner Hall
- Reception
Sumner Hall is pleased to sponsor community conversations about issues arising from the establishment of the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This initiative clearly fits within our mission. Built circa 1908 and now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Sumner Hall honors the service of African American Civil War veterans of the Charles Sumner Post #25, Grand Army of the Republic. After serving as a community center and hub of African American life on Maryland’s Eastern Shore for more than 60 years, the building was abandoned for decades. In 2014, authentically restored, it re-opened to the public. Museum exhibits feature the historical roles of African Americans in Kent County. Educational and cultural programs are offered throughout the year. Partnerships with other organizations allow us to produce relevant community programs, including Kent County’s Legacy Day celebration.
OUR VISION: Sumner Hall will be recognized locally and nationally as a showcase of the African American experience, honoring the contributions of African Americans to the fabric of our collective communities.
OUR MISSION:
- to preserve Sumner Hall as a place of remembrance of the contributions of African Americans who served in the U.S. Civil War;
- to honor all African American veterans of the U.S. Armed Services;
- to promote an understanding of the African American experience within the overall context of American history and culture; and
- to advocate for social justice in all aspects of civic life.
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TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION REFERENCES https://www.wboc.com/story/39870722/james-taylor-lynched https://www.mdlynchingmemorial.org/ (WBOC video) https://www.mdlynchingmemorial.org/md-ltrc https://eji.org/legacy-museum (3 minute video – From Slavery to Mass Incarceration) https://museumandmemorial.eji.org/memorial (3-minute video – Why build a lynching memorial?) https://eji.org/community-remembrance-project (7-minute video – Abbeville) https://eji.org/news/delaware-dedicates-historical-marker-victims-lynching (article about dedication of historical marker in Wilmington featuring Savannah Shepherd)
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