Dropping Jim Crow would be a sign of respect

 


To The Eagle:

This is the test of a statement read to the Wahkiakum County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday:

Our Pledge of Allegiance contains principles that the United States of America stand for throughout this country. Our annual Bald Eagle Days in July celebrate our beautiful community as well as reflect the same principles of our county. In our Pledge of Allegiance we proclaim that the United States is an indivisible nation. Indivisible can be defined as to not be separated into parts.

I say this not to undermine anyone's knowledge, but to show that we are a country and county that is called to be indivisible. In our county, we have landmarks bearing the name "Jim Crow." These are two small words that appear harmless but represent laws that encouraged a nasty, unequal separation of people in our country through segregation. Also "Jim Crow" represents a culture that causes fear in the hearts of many African-Americans and other ethnic minorities because it has been and is still used to justify bullying, abuse and murder.

Medgar Evers was a civil rights activist who fought against the "Jim Crow" laws of his home state. He was trying to create an indivisible community though desegregating the state of Mississippi. On Wednesday, June 12, 1963 Mr. Evers was shot and killed from behind while carrying T-shirts that read "Jim Crow Must Go." His future was snatched from him as he was trying to provide a better future for all people, a future of a compassionate community.

I am here today asking the county commissioners to exercise their right to recommend to the Washington State Committee on Geographic Names the name changes for the locations currently bearing the name "Jim Crow." This would be a great sign of respect to all of humanity, especially African-Americans and all ethnic minorities who have suffered directly and indirectly from "Jim Crow" laws and culture, including myself, who calls this community home. Also this would serve as a welcoming sign to potential residents and tourists to Wahkiakum County. As a citizen of this community, I am open to be of help in the process. In honor of Mr. Medgar Evers, I must reiterate, "Jim Crow Must Go." Thank you for your time.

Theron Hobbs

Puget Island

 

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