Joe Henderson
The four Hillsborough County commissioners who voted to keep a Confederate monument on public grounds may have thought/hoped the issue was behind them.
If so, they are mistaken.
That much was clear from Tuesday’s rally in downtown Tampa by a coalition of leaders, clergy and people who are just plain fed up with the divide the monument has created in the community.
That divide can only be closed when the monument is more to a more appropriate location.
Commissioner Pat Kemp, who voted to remove the monument featuring two Confederate soldiers, has said the issue almost certainly will be raised to the county’s governing body again — and it should be.
That will put even more pressure on commissioners Sandra Murman, Victor Crist, Ken Hagan and Stacy White — who were depicted in a protest sign as the “Confederate 4” because of their votes to keep the monument where it is in the name of history.
This is a good time for everyone to take a deep breath and remember that while Tampa has made great strides in race relations, that often has come with great struggle.
Interestingly, protesters have never called for destroying the monument. They have asked that it be moved to a more fitting spot, like a museum or cemetery. They say having it on the county courthouse grounds — where people go for impartial justice — is a stinging reminder of the struggle blacks in Tampa have faced.
Many still remember the violent 1967 riots that were triggered when a black teenager was shot and killed by a white police officer.
Henry Bohler, who died at age 82 in 2007, fought in World War II as a member of the famous Tuskegee Airmen. But he also endured harassment after he filed a federal lawsuit in 1962 to open the city’s parks and recreation centers to blacks.
Police stopped Bohler five times one morning on his way to the courthouse. Clarence Fort remembers the community vitriol that came after he joined with other blacks demanding to be served at the segregated F.W. Woolworth lunch counter in downtown Tampa.
There are many, many other examples.
So, you want to argue the monument today represents history?
Segregated lunch counters were part of history. Denying blacks the right to use public parks was a part of history. Police harassment was a part of history. All of that used to be “just the way things are” until Tampa moved on, but always with a struggle.
That’s really the message from this latest protest.
The vote to keep the monument in place was basically the commissioners telling blacks to get over it. The backlash, including a stinging rebuke of the vote by Mayor Bob Buckhorn, was the community telling commissioners they made a mistake and they better fix it.
36 comments
Doug Guetzloe
June 29, 2017 at 4:20 pm
The false narrative in this column is that the ‘people’ or citizens of Hillsborough County support this narrow group of black radicals who have sought to impose their will through the fake media on those elected officials who cater to the media and minorities on a regular basis. The reality is that the overwhelming majority of Hillsborough (and Tampa) residents support and approve of leaving historical monuments to the fallen right where they were placed right now. Kudos to the courage of the four commissioners who withstood a monsoon of negative press coverage to do the right thing and represent their constituents in keeping the monument and correctly diminishing the vocally extreme handful of radicals. The establishment of the monument protection ordinance will go a long way toward codifying the will of the people. Godspeed to the four heroes of the people: Commissioners White, Murman, Crist and Hagan.
Donny Killian
June 29, 2017 at 5:00 pm
Amen…you sir are 100% correct.
Buddy Rawls
June 29, 2017 at 5:15 pm
That is the best rebuttal I’ve read on this subject. Cudoos to you, Doug…
Buddy Rawls
June 29, 2017 at 6:09 pm
Doug Guetzloe, best rebuttal I’ve read on this subject. Cudoos to you, Sir.
Larry Henderson
June 29, 2017 at 7:31 pm
Joe Henderson have you ever seen the monument in person? Have you ever read the words on it? I already know your answer, the media has never and never will support the veterans of the United States.
Mike Herring
June 29, 2017 at 8:45 pm
The monument has stood silent for 106 years and strictly as a tribute to the soldiers from Florida who served in the Confederate army. It is individuals like Les Miller and Joe Henderson who cause the divide. Where were they the past 50 years when the statue stood in it’s place of honor? The city, county and community have thrived plus there are 2 national sports franchises and the monument stood through all of these notable upgrades. The argument charging the statue as divisive is totally ridiculous and proof that revisionist history is much alive in Hillsborough County.
Lois Ann Sorensen
June 30, 2017 at 8:53 am
Doug, et al: This white seminarian was among the diverse cross-section of peaceful people who were actually there. Move the monument.
C Barrett
June 30, 2017 at 5:03 pm
I’m not black. And I’m not a radical. I’m a former U.S. history teacher who knows that monument is an embarassment and abomination, for it is a tribute to white supremacy. The person who dedicated in 100 years ago said as much. And I wrote the count commission and encouraged them to stand with me and other Americans who actually know their country’s history rather than those who literally work to white-wash it.
Kevin
July 1, 2017 at 12:20 am
Spoken like a true racist
Kevin
July 1, 2017 at 12:39 am
interesting to see that racist like you want to fight so hard to preserve your whiteness when you know what you are fastly becoming the minority in this country Face it folks this country is going to be majority black and brown in the next 10 years face it the efforts of Donald Trump and his racist right wing supporters or doing all this in vain. Those four commissioners will no longer be in office come the next election because there will be a national movement to get rid of elected officials who support these racist ideologies your history that you’re so proud of Will be a erased so will your arrogant white privilege
Karen Waugh
June 29, 2017 at 4:52 pm
It is true that this issue is divisive . But it is not the monument that is divisive, after all it has quietly honored Florida sons who defended their state for more than 100 years. It is the groups struggling for monetary and political supremacy among black Americans that shout they are intimidated by a veterans monument. Why do these leaders RE-INSLAVE their people by telling them that these inanimate objects have any control over their lives? Those who support this lie, are setting the precedent that will allow these same groups to be offended over our Founding Fathers – most of whom, like their society, were slave holders. When they come to take down the Washington monument, the Thomas Jefferson monument and start to denigrate all that those men created, it will be too late to regret this small monument or the part that people like you had in encouraging division. Because, trust me, people are tired of being pushed around on this issue, most of whom care nothing about the slavery issue solved 150 years ago.
Mike Bethune
June 29, 2017 at 5:45 pm
Well Mr Henderson, you are a liar and just as CNN and the rest of the media, you love to spread fake news. First of all yes the protestors have called for the destruction of the monument in fact a few of them did, one called for it to be smashed to make a marble floor out of it. So get your facts straight before doing like all the liberal media does and quit telling or printing bullface lies. Secondly just so you know there are over 1,200,000 residents in Hillsborough county so if you think 20 or 24 people with their rainbow signs and calling commissioners names amount to a major backlash against the monument….well no wonder your paper is used to smash flies more than to get news.
Kevin
July 1, 2017 at 12:22 am
For person to support the treasonous confederate flag and those treasonous Confederate images should not be called American
Rick Reeves
June 29, 2017 at 5:51 pm
Who cares what Bob Buckhorn thinks? Since when has he shown any knowledge of this area or any knowledge at all. Also, what has Henry Bohler or Clarence Fort’s story have to do with the monument? The answer is NOTHING! I support the Confederate monument because our ancestors fought and supported the Confederacy and decided to put this monument up to remember a period in their lives. Others can do the same. Taking things down because a few have hurt feelings is Stalinism and is the road to a foolish government
Kevin
July 1, 2017 at 12:22 am
So you support a group of racist rebels they want to overthrow the government you my friend or not an American
Mike Bethune
June 29, 2017 at 6:17 pm
Well it looks like my comment was deleted because he doesn’t want to be called a liar. Just as he said the demonstrators weren’t calling for the destruction of the monument but a couple were, one called for it to be smashed and used to make a marble floor. I also said if he considers 24 people with rainbow flags and a few signs calling commissioners names a major backlash over the monument when Hillsborough county has over 1 million residents well no wonder his paper is used more to smash flies than to get news.
Andy G Strickland
June 29, 2017 at 6:33 pm
If Joe was a real journalist he would have researched the fact that this event was sponsored by the Tampa Democratic Socialists and Black Trans life Matters as well as other radical left groups. Only 45 people were in attendance. These radical leftists hate America and believe our basic founding and founding fathers are inherently flawed for the same reasons they argue for removing this Civil War Veterans monument. America supports our Veterans! The Veteran Monument Ordinance needs passed so those who gave the ultimate sacrifice are not forgotten. I stand with our Veterans. The Times stands with radical liberalism.
Kevin
July 1, 2017 at 12:29 am
I am not from Florida and judging by these racist idiots that are making these comments these individuals with little to no education and no historical fact or context I am glad I’m not from this stateThe people that make these ignorant comments about them supporting these images of racial divisiveness and basic anti-American treason truly shows me what Florida’s about Tampa would never be the city it would like to be because of people like you all. I guess that’s why when people think of Florida they think of either Miami or Orlando because to the outside world Tampa is an embarrassment
Mike Bethune
June 29, 2017 at 7:06 pm
lol I’m glad I took a screen shot of my comment and your message saying it was awaiting approval. Can’t stand it when your riven wrong huh, like I said typical liberal Bull. Ps I’m taking a screen shot of this too 😉
Commissioner Victor Crist
June 29, 2017 at 8:57 pm
This is inaccurate. The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners did not say that they were opposed to moving it to a suitable location. They said that they were opposed to taking it down without a suitable location to move it to. The History Museum has said they don’t want it. The City Of Tampa said they don’t want it, and the Mayor has said he would not allow it to be placed in the cities historic Oaklawn Cemetery where the other Civil War veterans are buried. So if the Times wants to be helpful find a good appropriate alternative location downtown for this veterans monument.
Andy G Strickland
June 30, 2017 at 4:18 pm
Your proposal was just fine Commissioner. The polls and a clear majority support keeping the monument where it is. You can never appease left wing radicals that want to fundamentally transform America.
Kevin
July 1, 2017 at 12:42 am
How about just destroy it
Marcos
July 1, 2017 at 3:23 pm
Commissioner Crist- I’ve heard the United Daughters of the Confederacy would take it. they have a perfect spot on private property just on the other side of the Courtney Campbell Causeway. You may want to check with them.
James Michael Shaw, Jr.
June 29, 2017 at 11:56 pm
There’s a false narrative at play all right, but it isn’t coming from the people who want this moved. When this monument was erected, the keynote speaker said, “The South stands ready to welcome all good citizens who seek to make their homes within her borders. But the South detests and despises all, it matters not from whence they came, who, in any manner, encourages social equality with an ignorant and inferior race.” He said this in 1911, at the height of the popularity of Thomas Dixon Jr.’s book “The Clansman: A Historical Romance of the Ku Klux Klan,” itself an exercise in historical revisionism later made into a play and then into the film “Birth of a Nation,” both of which incited a wave of pogroms against black Americans as people poured out of theaters. It was in this spirit of misinformed nostalgia and violence that this statue was erected.
And nostalgia for what? Under Article IV, § 27 of the Florida Constitution of 1861 (the constitution adopted when Florida was part of the Confederacy), there were two separate criminal-court systems, one for white people and one for “offenses committed by slaves, free negroes and mulattoes.” In that court, “all trials before it shall be had upon the statement of the offense in the warrant of arrest, and without presentment or indictment by a Grand Jury.” It was to be presided over by the Sheriff, not by a judge. It was an unequal system meant to deny equal access to justice based on race – the exact opposite of what our present court system strives to be. It’s noting to be proud of or nostalgic for.
As New Orleans mayor Mitch Landrieu stated: “Another friend asked me to consider these four monuments from the perspective of an African American mother or father trying to explain to their fifth grade daughter who Robert E. Lee is and why he stands atop of our beautiful city. Can you do it? Can you look into that young girl’s eyes and convince her that Robert E. Lee is there to encourage her? Do you think she will feel inspired and hopeful by that story? Do these monuments help her see a future with limitless potential? Have you ever thought that if her potential is limited, yours and mine are too? We all know the answer to these very simple questions. When you look into this child’s eyes is the moment when the searing truth comes into focus for us. This is the moment when we know what is right and what we must do. We can’t walk away from this truth.”
So I ask: What business does this statue have in front of a courthouse? How can we tell the African American members of our community that this statue is there to assure them that they will be treated fairly by a court system that has erected a monument to an era where the courts were never fair to them?
And I don’t dismiss those who argue that we should honor our history and our ancestors, no matter how misguided they might have been. My own ancestors fought and died for the Confederacy. I do not hate them, but neither do I celebrate their actions or the disgusting principles they fought for. I once bought in to the notion that they deserved honor and reverence, but I now see that I was wrong.
But, for those who insist that they truly seek only to honor their ancestors and don’t mean to convey an exclusionary message to our African American brothers and sisters, I tell you that the monument stands only a few blocks from Oaklawn Cemetery, where some of Tampa’s Confederate Veterans are buried. Let it be moved to there, where it can commemorate the lost cause they fought for beside the remains of the men and women who fought for it. A monument to an era where people were treated unequally has no place beside a courthouse, the one place where it is most important that everyone be treated equally.
Jerry Lane
June 30, 2017 at 7:21 am
Joe and our local media refuse to focus attention and report on real local issues that actually impact us today like our county budget which is an abomination. Local media refuses to report how totally upside down things are at County Center – dominated by an unelected bureaucrat who consistently over reaches his authority and uses the intentionally convoluted county budget to wield power. Local media refuses to report the truth about the county budget – if they did that would be real news and would be doing a real service to their readers and the taxpayers of Hillsborough County. Isn’t Joe retired? He should have tons of time to investigate and tear apart the county budget and he could start with the work done recently by the Citizens Advisory Committee. Go for it Joe! Let’s see some real news.
Michelle Parks
June 30, 2017 at 7:49 am
So wonderfully said, James Michael Shaw. I, too, had family members who fought for the Confederacy. In fact, my family has an unbroken generational line of U.S. veterans starting with the American revolution, both sides of the Civil War, and running through Operation Desert Storm. For a long time I thought there was nothing wrong with a simple monument to those Confederate soldiers. As Shaw and others have made it clear, however, I didn’t know the full story. The monument was an intentional slap in the face to people of color. The words of the people who placed the statue made clear what was in their hearts. The laws at the time regarding civil and criminal laws made clear the judicial injustice that occurred every day. I wish Buckhorn would change his mind about placing the monument at Oaklawn. There, the words of the people who erected it don’t have to follow it. There, perhaps, all parties could be accepting of it as a veterans memorial. In its current place, I accept at face value the intent of the people who erected it. I can appreciate my Confederate ancestors who fought with determination and valor. I can neither appreciate nor tolerate the racist venom that was clearly baked into the foundation when placing this monument at the courthouse.
Sila Moondragon
June 30, 2017 at 8:11 am
Florida, as one of the original states to secede from the Union has ling been a stronghold for racism. You may wrap your narrow- minded racist views in your fake flag of patriotism, but the individuals who fought to secede were traitors to this country who attempted to overthrow the government. Spin it any way you want, but the real false narrative is continuing to push the lie that confederate soldiers were heroes that represented this nation.
Kevin
July 1, 2017 at 12:45 am
Well said
Rita Zimmerle
June 30, 2017 at 11:22 am
The Confederate States of America isn’t responsible for any of your claims. It was the citizens of the United States of America that did all. This statue honors those Floridians who went when their state called to be defended. They were fed up with the Federal Government and the corruption it was handing down.
Kevin
July 1, 2017 at 12:46 am
You need to catch up on your history because obviously you were not paying attention in school
Andy G Strickland
June 30, 2017 at 3:01 pm
Show me evidence how this Veterans monument affected the administration of justice. It hasn’t. Mr. Shaw simply wants to erase and rewrite US history and remove all monuments to all our Veterans and to our nation’s founders because he believes American is fundamentally flawed and in need of transformation.
chloe J. coney
June 30, 2017 at 3:18 pm
James Michael Shaw and Joe Henderson thank you so much for speaking and printing TRUTH. As a child integrating the school system in the 60’s and witnessing the confederate flag and singing of Dixie ” the land of cotton” at a Pep rally at a high school was humiliating and insulting to the few Black students that were there. For it was our ancestors in the land of Cotton picking for free, beaten, raped or hung. So as I said to the County Commissioners I wish they would see through the eyes of a 16 year old child that was scared and tormented by that experience to make it right and remove the statue from the courthouse where justice should prevail. I too agree move it to Oaklawn Cemetery where the diversity of people, Confederates, slaves, rich, poor, pirates and whoever is buried. Great History can be told in the Cemetery.
Kevin
July 1, 2017 at 12:51 am
Bottom line having a racist divisive imagery like a confederate flag and Confederate monuments which in reality has nothing to do with America or patriotism shows a lack of compassion and extreme ignorance on behalf of those who support those images people really let’s be serious here what does the Confederate flag have to do with patriotism what does a confederate monument have to do with preserving history. It has nothing to do with it it supports racism bottom line and those and support it or racist I’m reading these comments and the people that support this monument or not putting up a good case for the reasons why they support it.
The Rev. Dr. Russell Meyer
July 1, 2017 at 3:54 pm
The Confederate monument was conceived and dedicated as a tribute to White Supremacy. This is in fact why Dixie (the original 10 slave-holding states) seceded from the Union. The monument calls those who fought to preserve slavery as patriots, thus giving tribute to their willingness to die for maintaining slavery based on race. Continuing to maintain the monument in a prominent public space where the law is currently administered is a testimony to the persistence of White Supremacy as the unspoken rule of government.
It should surprise no one that the effort to remove the monument from the courthouse has taken so long to appear. Hillsborough County after all once had segregated school districts that the federal courts forced to unify in hope of bringing about equality in education. The county is one of the handful that is specifically named in the voting rights act requiring justice department approval of election policies and practices. In all of the county and city’s major institutions there still are clear patterns of racial disparity.
Those who insist are the monument remaining where it is because of heritage have not said anything to repudiate White Supremacy. More often they speak of their family heritage going back to the founding of the city or the state. The silence on the question of race supremacy is unmistakable in its support for it.
As an evangelical Lutheran pastor (German descent), I think Hillsborough can rise to the occasion by removing the monument and specifically repudiating the beliefs of White Supremacy. If my German cousins can put the horror of Auschwitz in its place and confront the truth of their situation from 1930-45, I think we can take deliberate steps now.
All people need to feel welcome at the courthouse, and removing the monument has now become imperative in that welcome. New Orleans, St. Louis, Orlando and other cities understand this moment in history. We have the same capacity for empathy and good governance.
I appeal to Chief Judge, The Honorable Ronald Ficarrotta, and State Attorney, The Honorable Andrew Warren, at least to make clear to everyone who enters into the courthouse that the symbol of the monument is explicitly contravened in the courts. Where is Lady Justice whose scales cannot be tipped by the rich and who is blind to the condition of the poor and the appearance of petitioner and defendant alike? Where is, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free”? These are the symbols of justice in democracy. It’s because of White Supremacy that they are missing.
County Commissioners should be clear about their embrace of all residents in equality before the law. It’s never too late to do the right thing.
Andy G. Strickland
July 2, 2017 at 6:19 pm
To the radical left, all monuments to our founders and our veterans are fair game. Don’t let them fool you. They hate America just as much as the Confederacy. Their attack on this veterans monument is just a means to an end for them…the complete transformation of this country.
David McCallister
July 13, 2017 at 7:37 am
I was at the “rally” and the description of as a “coalition” implying much public support is “Million Man March” math.
The “Rally” consisted of the same few people who spoke at the Commission meeting and were unpersuasive then and now.
Whining doesn’t count.
The brave four commissioners who said that enough is enough and Hillsborough will not follow the lemmings over the cliff of hate.
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