I recently read Jill Lepore’s “These Truths: A History of the United States.” It is a fascinating book that can give the reader a unique perspective of American history.
I learned that African-Americans’ struggle for liberty and equality was a fight, against staggering odds. They exercised lawfully and unlawfully from the moment they arrived in America in 1619. Anti-slavery sentiment and social action was not limited to the 19th century Abolitionist movement or no longer necessary with the passage of the 15th amendment to the United States Constitution.
Anti-slavery proposals and opposition began before America declared its own independence in 1776. Unfortunately, such wise proposals that all in America are and should be free were not supported or encouraged, but instead placed on a shelf to be addressed at another time. Americans continued to fight for independence, freedom from Great Britain, while subjugating others. Since that time America has struggled with its ability to ensure that the truths we hold to be self-evident, “…. life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” apply to all in America.
As I read Ms. Lepore’s book I was saddened to think that at America’s conception, we as a people, had an opportunity but failed to integrate all. It is a burden and a failure that this nation has paid for not only financially but even more tragically in human lives.
The renaming of W. Fourth Street gives us an opportunity to correct that failure at a time in which we are constantly reminded how divided we are as a nation.
I don’t think the request to rename W. Fourth Street is solely motivated by the memory of Dr. King. I think the request is to have a street renamed in honor of a man who is a member of a group of Americans whose outstanding contributions to their country has historically had a tendency to go unrecognized.
To rename W. Fourth Street is to honor our fellow Americans. It is a Thank You to them for contributing to the freedoms we have in America and to demonstrate that we truly hold those truths to be self-evident.
Joan Nisler
Lewes
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