I would like to lift up my voice with the many others who have expressed their sentiments in favor of the “Black Lives Matters” and “I Can’t Breathe” street murals in Chestertown. Let me be clear in stating that “I love this town and I love this county, but I am not particularly fond of some of its history.” I am keenly aware that Chestertown’s history is really not much different than other colonial towns.
My mother was a Kent County native, born and raised on land that was a former slave plantation. My genealogy was traced to a slave that was brought to Chestertown. I have spoken to countless residents who have shared heartbreaking stories of the injustices they and their ancestors have suffered here. The aesthetic beauty of this area is contrasted with a dark and dismal past that includes blackface performances, lynchings, murders and gross inequities in the justice system in the sentencing of many of its black residents. This is the not so “charming” truth.
I must admit there were even times when my own faith and hope for humanity were tried. There were multiple times my life was threatened. I repeatedly had messages left on my voicemail calling me the “N” word, and I was a victim of “redlining” when a local realtor refused to take my legitimate offer to a property owner in order to keep my family from living in a particular area. In spite of these things, my family has enjoyed a great life here. I have had the distinct honor and privilege to serve, work along with and volunteer with many of the great people in this county.
What can we do about past injustices? It’s history you say. I agree that we cannot rewrite history, nor do we wish to erase it, but we now have an opportunity to show the world that we are not out of touch with the current movement. We can listen to, respond, and empathize with a segment of society whose pains and cries have been so callously ignored. This is Kent County’s chance to make good, positive history by going down on record and saying to its Black population, “We see you. We hear you. We feel your pain and we will not sit idle while you call out to us to embrace this small gesture of allowing these ‘temporary’ murals to be displayed.”
What is the real issue? Now that the residents of 100 High Street have done what most mature individuals choose to do, have a sensible discussion and not retreat to their respective sides, what is the “real” issue? Are the messages too poignant? Do they invoke anger or fear? Is it your sentiment that Black Lives Don’t Matter? You know what the real problem is. Is it that you believe by saying Black Lives Matter that you are supporting the organization? That is what the fear mongers want you to believe. Please understand that there is a movement and there is an organization.
The movement is much larger than the BLM organization and it is not the same thing. Many people of diverse ethnicities support the movement and slogan “Black Lives Matter” who do not agree with the tenets of the Black Lives Matter organization. The irony of the reaction to the proposed murals is that many people are more upset with those who are making the suggestion than they are with the perpetrators and injustices that sparked the outcry for action.
I believe that while on this earth we should seek to do good, be a help and not cause harm to others. A quote often attributed to John Wesley captures it best. “Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can.” This is a noble goal.
When we are gone, people will talk about things that happened during our time. I’m sure this period of unrest will be a hot topic. I’d like to be remembered as one person who joined the cause for equity and fought against injustices no matter how uncomfortable or unpopular it was. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “It is never the wrong time to do the right thing.” I firmly believe this is the right time to do the right thing. While this gesture is but a bandage on a wound that needs stitches, a bandage is better than leaving the sore open and susceptible to infection. Please don’t squander this chance to come down on the right side of Kent County history.
Pastor Leon Frison is a recently retired teacher, chaplain for the Kent County Detention Center, local pastor, former LMB Chair, and former Social Services Board Member.
Thank you, SO much, Pastor, for your eloquent words in support of the Mural. Being on the right side of history in this moment should not be as difficult as our town is making it, and neither should acknowledging the unsavory elements of our town’s history, and proclaiming that this is a new day here in Chestertown.
Thank you, Mr. Frison! Eloquently spoken. Your point about not confusing the organization BLM with the movement is precisely the argument I made in a comment in the QACPS session several nights ago in defense of Superintendent Dr. Andrea Kane’s intention to bring trained facilitators into the public schools there to engage students in dialogues about racism, and begin anti-racism efforts within the student and faculty body. Unfortunately she is facing vicious and unyielding attack for her proposal. Chestertown, and Kent County, has a bold opportunity to show our neighbors that while we might not be able to change the past, we certainly have the ability right now to chart a different course for the future.
Very well spoken Pastor Frison. Thank you for your insight.
Eloquently stated. I must say I have seen some very good reasons for the murals but not too many against. What exactly is the rationale for not allowing paint on Chestertown’s “historic” asphalt, that was laid a couple years ago, and already has paint on it ?
Thank you, Pastor. Your voice brings truth, compassion, reason, and good to our community. May we all hear you.
Well stated sir – my sentiments exactly. You are the voice of reason and wisdom ! Thank You !
Small town America needs to shout out its tolerance, openmindedness and big heartedness. Thoughtful discussion in a town like Chestertown can only be a good thing. These murals have already led to important and challenging discussions. What more conversations and ideas might fly back and forth once a mural like those proposed becomes reality (for a temporary time)? I have long felt that the community of Black people living on the Eastern Shore is a historic, important group to learn from, locally and nationwide- even worldwide. After all, this group began the historic community of The Hill in Easton, gave us Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman. Let’s welcome their presence and their voices in our town. Let’s welcome an honest assessment of our past and our present. Thank you Pastor Frison.
Thank you. This letter is a beacon of grace and generosity. This is the way out of our tragic past. We can’t ignore it and we can’t solve it with with anger and vengeance that such a history might understandably engender. To get out of this centuries old trap, we must go through, not around it. It must be faced but with grace for ourselves and others.
If I may add to Pastor Frison’s already impressive resume, he is also the current Chaplain of the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company and has held this position with utmost dignity for several years. Pastor Frison has always been a class act and I completely respect his thoughts and his character not only as Chaplain and community advocate- but as a friend… I’m sure multitudes can share the later. I admit, his words on the current movement and it’s overall meaning has caused me to reevaluate my opinion and allowed me to view through eyes of a true leader. Thank you Mr. Leon for everything you do.
This argument isn’t just reasonable in Kent County. It is reasonable for the Country. Pastor Frison, you need to be interviewed on a major news network. I must confess. I was raised in Kent County, went to school there and I never knew the history of the place until I left. The only field trips I recall we ever took was to the animal reserve. Such history right in our backyard and the schools never exposed us to it. Had they done so, those history books would have come alive for sure. Paint the mural Kent for the sake of your future not your past.
Beautifully stated.
Very Well stated. Mr. Frison is a class act.
Thank you for sharing Pastor very well said my friend 🙏🏾
Well said Pastor…!
Thank you!
Maybe this is the time for our town, country and nation to turn in the right direction for respect, understanding, compassion and love!
Be well…
Thank you, Mr. Frison. Very well stated. Yes! We must support this movement! Black lives do matter!
Thank you, Pastor Frison, for your leadership and wisdom.
Thank you, Pastor Frison, for your eloquent statement. The Black Lives Matter street murals would be a strong symbolic statement that our town and our county are ready to begin a new day in our history, a time of racial reconciliation.
THANK YOU, Pastor Frison for your voice of truth and eloquence!
Amen, Pastor Frison. Well spoken. I have learned so much of the history of this town since this issue has come up, most of it for the first time even though I have lived here for over 16 years. I was particularly shocked that a lynching had occurred at a place that I have passed many, many times with no idea whatsoever. On a personal note I have also had to come to terms that some of my relatives and ancestors were on the wrong side of history. I look forward to seeing the murals.
Very well said sir. It is time we all strive to work together.
Thank you Pastor Frison you have hit the nail on the head – too many people associate the works “Black Lives Matter” with the organization. Why not paint the mural with the words “We see you. We hear you. We feel your pain”? Everyone in Kent County can be proud of that statement. The “Black Lives Matter” slogan does not make the correct statement for Kent County.
The good people of Kent County of all colors and persuasions would never stand for what is going on in places like Portland.
With that statement it leaves the question Who do you see?
Ed I think one reason to identify with the movement as opposed to offering a show of essentially White support (“We see you” sounds like its spoken from the non-Black perspective) is because unjust policing is such a problem in our country. It needs to be named and addressed. And obviously not all cops are bad, only a few are. But the system and the few are terribly bad and very effective at keeping Black people oppressed. The documentary 13th opens with this statistic: The US has 5% of the world’s population and 25% of the world’s prisoners. We need to amend our systems of policing and justice to make police better, more accountable. That is the main thing BLM stands for in my understanding. Its about human rights.
Thank you Pastor for joining the local chorus in support of doing the right thing. May your eloquent and wise words not fall on deaf ears!
Thank you, Mr. Frison. This community is so lucky to have you and your thoughtful, compassionate and wise leadership. Grateful to hear your thoughts and hope that we can get this bandage taken care of so that we can get to the deeper work of tending to the wound.
Pastor Frison, I don’t know you, but wish I did. I live on the 100 Block of High Street and would welcome the mural that would send the signal that Chestertown does believe that black lives matter, and begin the work that needs to be done to allow black lives to matter.
As a former pastor in Kent County (Rock Hall-Fairlee UMCharge 2001-2009). I have to agree with the sentiments of My Brother in the ministry. I also believe that in order to understand a people you must first get to know a “people”….I’m not asking you to sympathize with my story, just know my story. Inequality is a product of value, if I am not valued I’ll never be seen as an equal or even treated as such. During my time in Kent County I experienced racist attitudes and behaviors, that were accepted as being “a way of life” or ” that’s the way it’s always been” these types of feelings only contributes to the devaluation of a people which lends itself to the “worth” a people which then produces inequality. If painting a picture on a wall or street helps to turn people’s attention to my story, then so be it. “The Black Lives Matter” protest is a direct result of the inequities of The African-American people in the Justice, and legal system in this country “OUR” Country meaning all of us. We have turned this protest a into an indictment against patriotism. It has nothing to do with loyal or not loyal to this country we are. We sometimes forget, if you learn our history you would understand that African-Americans fought for this country in every war from the Revolutionary war to the war in Afghanistan. Think if what this country would be if all the inventions of the African-Americans were not used today and many were created during the time period of slavery in order to make our work a little easier. So to know our history is to know our worth so yes we can proudly proclaim “Black Lives Matter”..because ,”Our” U.S. Constitution states “All Men Are Created Equal”. Inequality can only lead to Injustice. Once we take the time to know the story of those who look like us, then and only then will we be able to truly sit at the table and resolve our issues of indifference in this area as well as this country. So, thank you Pastor Frison for your continued Faith and Leadership in this community called Kent County, MD.
If Mr. Frison told me to walk through a wall, I’d have to strongly consider its merits. I aim to do what he does: choose words carefully. Perhaps I fail in this department, but here goes. I would like to suggest that the “We Can’t Breathe” component of this project be replaced with the words of the 14th amendment “Equal Protection Under The Law”.
As Mr Frison points out, there is a delineation to be made between the words “Black Lives Matter” and the organization of the same name whose political goals are up for interpretation. The permit applicant makes this delineation. Therefore, if literal language is the basis for acceptance of a permit application, then the figurative “We Can’t Breathe” stands on shakier ground. The phrase I suggest above is inclusive, unifying, a commitment from our police force, and reminds us of our duty towards one another.
I know this is going forward regardless, but let it be known that a convo was efforted.
Bishop Frison, thank you for the historical and personal perspectives on the BLM movement. It’s been said many times before, “unity is strength.”
Happy retirement from the public school system.
Simeon Shoge
This is a humble a very well request, for appeal, to the powers that be, to intelligently visit history and honestly ask themselves, whether or not they would like to be on the right side of future history, by taking action to identify and assist in rectifying the great atrocities that had transpired by their forefathers onto our forefathers.
Thank you brother for your letter.
Thank you Pastor Frison. You had me by the end of your first paragraph but I also appreciate that you took the time to distinguish between the BLM organization and the Black Lives Matter movement. In a society that respects diverse ethnicities and diverse religions, we must also respect that some people who share our goals may still choose diverse paths to reach them.