[Music]
so what we'd like to do is take a moment
to remember those facts
we'll just those
now let's take some time to connect with
those who present those that we
represent
now it'll take some time to connect with
those
our decisions will impact police
attuning our recommendation and
eventually the court's decision to
consider
thank you
ladies and gentlemen could I ask that
everyone turn your phone either on
silent or turn it off we want to welcome
everyone to what we had agreed to three
months ago would be a meeting of
conclusion where we try to find
consensus in this very very difficult
decision I want to thank all of the
committee members for the time the
effort and their extreme professionalism
that they demonstrated throughout this
process and what we'll do today is we're
going to go around the room and we're
going to give each one of the committee
members will introduce themselves in
just a moment and then we'll start we'll
go around everyone will introduce
themselves and tell which of the
commissioners recommended them for this
opportunity and then everyone will have
seven minutes and our timekeeper let's
hear for our timekeeper
we'll keep us on time then after
everyone has made a had an opportunity
to present their recommendations we've
got a we're supposed to have a tablet
over here where we're going to tally and
then if for some reason we don't all
come to the same conclusion and we're
going to work a little while to see what
we can do to be a little flexible and
make a recommendation of some consensus
so yes sir thank you we'll start on this
end with mister you want to introduce
yourself
is your microphone
ditchin Ronen a appointed by
commissioner Bobby Mitchell John Baines
appointed by commissioner EADS and to
our guests in the audience today we ask
for decorum and the this is not an
opportunity for your participation but
simply your observation these folks the
15 of us my Cochrane who is in Italy
will be sending his recommendation
it'll be read into consideration just a
little reminder here when we got started
she would indulge me just a moment
please
this daunting task to find consensus
that will last that 15 voices might be
one this county i'm sandra changers what
to do to find consensus that is true
protect our future guard our past with a
consensus that will last with our
consensus that they are 15 voices for
they are like lyrics June 15 ingredients
that will take and a tasty consensus
case to make mark money Mike K
Judy fed Donna's her nose
- hi Willie
Charlotte Paul and John and Peggy that's
our crew who recommend something too
[Music]
professors came and they professed and
many citizens did a test to give their
feelings or and or while committee
members kept the score novice for weeks
and offering brain tasty consensus take
that thing I tasty check joy pie taste
that's better
tart and sweet
[Music]
who will be the first to give their
offering
I won't be first make someone else to be
first Paul you will be first not make a
speech today here finding ways there are
matters of conscience here for me or you
- I'm sure it'll get you strong
consensus at least 12 votes
my personal goal today is to see if we
can come together the spirited period
all voices from the public not just
speak to us personally we have the
commissioners felt that we can find
common ground and citizen to be able to
for example find that consensus on ways
to accommodate each other's views
consensus to it as a starting point we
want to try to rally round with John has
put forward that's easy for me to do
John's brilliantly focused his concept
on memorializing soldiers actually
enhancing that aspect of what's on the
square while offering a very appropriate
context for specifically remembering
fallen Confederates
I think John's implicit message here is
right that if you think back in the
public comments that passions with those
worried about losing the monument was
less about the Confederacy and more
about not beginning the sacrifices of
soldiers generally and that assists
organizing premise it also of course
Achilles most recent images that said it
is less of a public history lesson than
some other approaches we've heard but it
is balanced and since if I could support
it we would probably need to think
through the relationship between what he
has proposed and the colonel Horse
Memorial I think we can tackle that
always other concerns as needed
thank you Paul are you ready sure now
you want to talk to us Charlotte you're
talking to us they're just listeners
okay
[Music]
we can be in his country and had
differences because the past matters
it's medicine we are done I've ever
believed in me and better itself
I had cheek was from dr. Martin Luther
King that war
I'm sure South Park's well collectively
Burger King's wisdom should not be
forgot one of our speakers named dr.
King for where we are today and the
darkness from dr. King's strength to
what speech in 1963 darkness cannot
drive out darkness
there
that's what I want the statue of a
physical place for the countenance with
this view
[Music]
our
Thank You Charlotte can you can't give
them Freddy microphone thank you I think
Commissioner here : for my appointment
to this committee it has been hoarding
an interesting experience and I think
each of the committee members for that
awesome special thanks of appreciation
to take your ribbon or all she has done
to help us into John Banks our Chairman
has done an honorable job it has been my
pleasure to make that with the
acquaintance of each of you and I wish
you all the very best in the future
there is no doubt this memorial was
dedicated to our southern Confederate
soldiers the words on the heart to read
Confederate soldiers the inscription on
the right panel reads in the world their
names graves when the morning columns
are a song we heard more into the future
and their examples reach a hand through
the years to meet Kendall generous
purpose and moment
that's as pure as their back number to
Civil War soldiers our United States
village u.s. code public law 85 - 425
breach that the veterans benefit at 1957
public law 85 - 56 is amending section
343 7 432 is emitted by adding to the
end thereof the following news
subsection II for the purpose of this
section in section 433 that term veteran
includes a person who served in the
military and number nine immediately
above section 411 in search of following
Confederate or seasoned veterans by law
and veteran soldiers are American
veterans and are due honor and respect
for results back number three members of
the United States Armed Forces are our
Brotherhood we are taught that we never
leave our wounded or dead behind and to
ever honor their sacrifice this includes
removing a memorial to honor honor to
those soldiers who fought in the Civil
War President John F Kennedy a Navy
veteran emphasized this and the
following quote a nation reveals itself
not only by the minute produces but also
whether man had honor to remove this
memorial is to dishonor official US
veterans my decision is to leave it
where it is
appropriate non-cash thank you thank you
Fred would you give Donna a microphone
please
okay I come from a long line of veterans
and each of us come to this committee
with a different past history family
history and we're just people we've
written problematic students have said
seek first to understand the men be
understood so to be understood we have
to listen to others and here to check
each of our perspectives
my great-grandfather relative veteran
Army in Georgia he was 22 years old my
first great-grandfather that's pretty
close that was April 16 1961 in 1894 in
Minden Cook County step forward 53 years later and not to 14 shortly
before the monuments
- 75 years old and he applied for his
better attention he did that division
student long for people
Jeff Ward another hundred years
here we are dead my mother-in-law was
one Marez
a big Hispanic family my god bad news
are what happened with an American one
horde of Hispanic 1/4 Caucasian
I've got a perspective on this I think
from all directions learned a lot there
this enormous per game and I
flip-flopped my opinion more than once
based on the understanding based on the
history that this fit is wrought based
on the perspectives of the committee
members with historians that have come
to talk to us I came on to this
committee thinking the statue had to
death I changed my opinion about that I
think it's irresponsible for us to move
the statute at this point I think it's a
irresponsible for us to lose counting
guns and then we've been asked not to
think about dollars but we can't operate
a vacuum
we've got to make a recommendation
commissioners report that they can adopt
isn't conscious and then we know that we
can fund in some way I think we need to
add context to the memorial as it stands
I think we need to be very strong in
that context and we need to convince
libraries and we need to bend in
anything that makes any of our children
our children's children feel like less
of a person I don't think that you can
get with so much I think that we should
attract something not only other side of
the square that's the next to the
memorial where it's going to be seen and
not just passed by it maybe on each side
of the trail to pay tribute to those
that stood up for the rights that allow
every person man woman and child jump
properly devote to eat and drink
wherever they want wherever they please
I think we can do this and come to a
consensus that and I would get behind
or any privately elected memorial to
civil rights
I loved Lily's idea a veteran memorial
but I don't think we should utilize
county funds or private funds to move
the statue I think that's an
irresponsible in on our part so that's
my recommendation Thank You Donna
shinobi can you bring the microphone a
little closer to you yes much better
Thank You commissioner who asked you to
be on this committee that was a bit
doesn't at first when I realized the
importance of lasting impact
participating they had an opportunity I
came into this with an open mind and
willingness to see and understand other
perspectives
give me confidence I felt
navigate thorough information and be
given when the published author and
southern historian mr. Campbell spilled
about moments from up concerns about
monuments the statutes in the South he's
thought of how they erected an honors
military leaders and to memorialize the
lost soldiers
unlike Civil War monuments in the north
which were not notes about individual
such as parking awards but of the war
itself he favored the competitive soviet
monument to state in its place and one
more context dr. Martin Delany professor
of African American history ETA with a
special interest in cuddly the storica
monument spoke about the monuments
retired to wipers supremacy racism he
favored the monument be new to the
museum with the more historical context
and as to Mrs Smith's impassioned
presentation which left a mark on me it
was about what Rayson feels like and how
the monument is a reminder of how racism
in the past and today is she was in
favor of money
persimmons were echoed by some of the
citizens at public organs I meant to
give about twenty years ago I really
don't remember my reaction the first
time I saw a monument and later when I
had some Zetas are racist objects others
an important part of ancestry racism in
Memphis move to another location we're
not as many people will see it and learn
its lesson we are very arrogant impose
our values of today and place them on
the past we are fine and what is right
and wrong changes with time ng w bush's
opening dedication to the National
Museum of african-american history and
culture the great nation is not
faces its flaws and corrects them I
believe this my friend along with
Twitter Town Park and the store clerk a
rally of the teaching aides to the
children and then each year students at
Cal middle school and I'm the world
school studying civil war and slightly
in both degrees Kelvin is a title in
school which means majority of students
the assistant these lunches and school
supplies which I had without it would be
able to see this one even admitted to
the grave site my recommendation for the
monument is were to stay with panic
context I believe it can act service
educational listen to the students in
our schools the better works were all
seminars share and unique present and
past in an age where is easier to raise
our casting for in art history I believe
that we should not advocate that educate
people who come to see what it stands
for a tribute to confederate veterans
lost in war thank you thank you tsunami
it's not moving okay
by 1861 both sides of my family were in
worse danger on my mother's side one
ancestor this bench for being an
abolitionist by pro-slavery while my
three-times for Oklahomans kidnapped
tortured and hanged by the Confederate
Bill Anderson in July 1862 an idea where
union officers leading counterinsurgency
operations in north-central Missouri in
one of those men was my
great-great-grandfather
it's an illustrated complicated nature
of this war in the Finley's his brother
was an officer the Confederate no less
not my dad side during the war but my
great-grandfather Ward 1868 was named
after he listened says grant if it's a
first person it's made that after
bothering me so I imagined that their
holiday gatherings was probably a public
affairs
it wasn't the purpose of this committee
related to civil wars nor the history of
either the Confederacy institution child
slavery America
however the historical treatment of
these elements that nuisances which
determine seeds disparate thoughts on
moral and legal standing of the
temporary audience give a mortise
throughout the South through Texas as
far as my interpretation it has any
bearing at all on this it's that the
world about slavery there were other
areas of dispute between the northern
and southern states economic disparity
and understanding of states rights but I
believe ultimately all these issues that
we issue there was no other contentious
issue that they could bring in such a
tragedy it said that slavery it's the
original sin
I don't believe that that notion tells
the whole story
slavery was common practice throughout
the world and it was brought to the
Western Hemisphere but what makes what
is unique about the United States it's
not the institution of slavery but that
the United States
what a great fratricidal war which
legislators and I don't believe that the
average unit in standard walk an
abolitionist cause nor do I believe that
the average Confederate soldier
purposely went to war for their
disabling interest as a war veteran
myself I understand it to enlist for a
multitude of reasons in wartime
adventure patriotism in supporting a
community and I'm pretty certain that at
the very bottom of every soldier's
business further as far as the purpose
of Confederate Memorial goes they don't
see that the purpose is shrouded in
history wives the daughters the
granddaughters the soldiers who serve
who didn't wish to honor their husbands
and fathers service that United
Daughters of the Confederacy may have
simply wish to honor the service of
awards
irrelevant today public sentiment
changes over time perception of our
events and historical figures suddenly
it's constant they stand in the new
history for a prison that is covered by
current events this is not necessarily
what would be wrong with me doing
Antebellum Texas secession the events in
1861 3065 reconstruction and Jim Crow
only through the interpretations that
were offered at that time as students of
history we need understanding calculate
errors but that doesn't mean that we
need guided by the day but for the same
reason we need to be cautious about
burning passions to my knowledge there
is no conclusive data indicating public
support for either in handy for our
awareness you know the public rooms
should rate intensity of feeling on the
subject but they were less than helpful
in framing for didn't count as a whole
stance on the issue it is not in our
interest to be into the loudest voices
that is why this
they'll work through a contentious issue
however in Congress it Mesa as an
American of d'être as an American
veteran people objected Confederate
award
I see memorials as distinct amendments
the leaders such as Jefferson Davis
which animals relatively history teaches
us that even soldiers who fight through
wrong causes may Switzerland honor valor
in what the best intentions their
distended their descendants still nor
their loss you have the right under
sacrifice we have two fundamental
courses of action before us to keep the
statue in place and a historical context
and remove the statute to another
location such as the Denton Historical
Park
Lexus where the first course of action
keeping the memorial place in historical
context
I'm a strong believer Thomas Carlyle's
observation that history is a letter of
instruction under CASL and that spirit
of the leaves and the statue remaining
place is a letter of instruction and
it's a letter of instruction
mechanically conservative strengthened
through the addition of context about
the war about the amenities
tribution UTC about slavery County in
addition there were like a voice my
support Michigan of a monumental
opportunity such as possibly represented
by mr. and mrs. Skinner a Quaker and
again with with proper historical
context just as its rightful honor the
sacrifice of those soldiers in the
county through the Civil War one minute
it is surely property immortalized in
honor of the african-americans of County
for their servitude abuse and
humiliation throughout County's history
in that concludes my remarks but I'd
like to see John very much with a tough
job Rachel thank you thank you very much
Tim are you ready the ability of the
federal employer to educate people of
today and regeneration about the
tortured American past and how that was
forwarded topically
I also believe that to hire memorial a
place for people venture is a disservice
in history and let me face the history
that must be faced head-on no matter how
uncomfortable and would be a lost
educational opportunity that must be
experienced by many in order for the
continued recovery of America thank you
I thank my fellow committee
we have probably spent 40 hours working
on this numerous hours reading material
numerous hours talking among ourselves I
found it very helpful to get to know
people it's hard to dislike people that
you know and I think to a great extent
if our fellow citizens for example on
racial lines got to know each other
better
more likely to work out the differences
come to consensus so thank you all for
agreeing to serve I want to especially
thank Peggy's birthday taken riddle
who's worked for the county and
that more time that you thought you was
going down the meaning of catering to
our decent to some extent on twins and
helping us in so many ways and then
finally to our chair John Baines he has
led us with respect and dignity and to
his credit
he wasn't chair but especially because
of the huge chair waited until recently
so very recently to tell us his thoughts
about what should happen and that's not
always easy to do and John I just wanna
thank you again for your service this
chair I don't think anybody and I talked
respectfully about my other map the
statue the monument I'd say it very
least is controversial I think that's it
worked for a number of reasons get it
but controversial because one of my
fellow committee members and and I'm not
going to argue with them said the facts
were that this was dedicated to the
soldiers the Confederacy I would say
that if you look at the dentist
United Daughters of dependency and I
think the word united is important in
daughters Confederacy and another
purpose and I'm not saying they all agreed with
this but they did not have put si si
the Confederate soldiers American top on
the statute I think they did that with
the intention of sending a message to
you future generation saying with
violent words on the left side of the
words are which says in service it's now
in our hour of need
once again after detention with just
honor soldiers they do not have to add
the context in South our D and my my
interpretation facts is that it may be a
tribute to the soldiers but it's also a
statement of that Confederacy and them
erecting this monument to to tell their
kids and grandkids that their relative
lives were lost to protect the
institution slavery
they didn't have to go for that they did
so and the very ladies even if most of
people on this committee or people the
audience for that matter heard the other
people who may be listening to these
words will know is that a controversy
and in my mind what we need to do is to
come up with a unifying principle and I
don't think that monument is the
unifying principle as long as it stays
there I think it would bite us and I
think that's a bad thing not a good
thing although I agree and I'm with
every I haven't mentioned that I don't
think previously I totally believe in
honoring our soldiers now instead I
think we didn't focus to focus on John
Bishop John's vision told us two weeks
ago was that there be in the place where
the competitive memorial monument is is
to be a monument all soldiers from
Denton County who have served in the
past and all the wars dating back to the
American Revolution the future the
statements that we may
a recommendation to the commissioners
there is going to be a statement that we
make to our children and our
grandchildren one of the things that
hasn't brought up is that and all of our
public forums the Millennials know is
under their late 30s to 18 years of age
about 90% of them favored moving and I
think we're being blind if we don't
realize we may be too close to the past
many of us talked about our relatives
who fought one side the other of the
Civil War I think that I think we may be
too close I think the Millennials have
enough distance that they can more
objectively when we love thee let me
just move on I think that this is in the
form of a motion but I would like to
make a motion
or remarks that Confederate statute
located at Denton County Courthouse in
Denton be moved to another historical
location or cemetery with the caveat
that be placed in a location where it
could be given historical context in a
statute be replaced by his family that
honored all veterans in Benton County
from all the Lord's gave back to the
American Revolution I'd like to see us
start our dialogue or discussion of
deliberations with that motion in front
of us and one last thing somebody else
enters at Beaver Falls we need to reach
the supermajority Thank You Howard
okay Copeland please
can you turn our speaker off his red
light is it all is it all right yours is
not all
much better than much good thank you
I lived in 1945 and I was in the sixth
grade
back then Denton was a segregated city
and I remember that well thankfully how
long has changed since 1945 I'm a good
way for period spent led to that but I
always stayed connected to death I have
family members who were and still are
prominent members of this community so
my so my roots are deep again after
retirement is the only place darling
jicama well I know that it has its
faults we made great strides in our
desegregation members and even ended up
as a textbook case of how to get it down
tonight
the phrase we are all Broncos is not
just a spoon catchphrase but rather a
genuine coming together of students of
all races through the process of
desegregation of the Denton Independent
School District from the time I arrived
in debt
on the square they fledge point the
paint a simple device Innis or a tribute
to the Confederacy but rather what it is
a monument to the Confederate soldier it
seems now however the people across the
country have decided between these
monuments to the fort worth looking for
ways to make them offensive we all talk
about tolerance but I would point out
what we're actually looking at the staff
tolerance it's government regimes like
Isis Hitler and the Taliban that make us
remove things the moon including history
it's the definition of intolerance to
eliminate what you don't agree with and
I don't want to be on the side of
intolerance I would urge you to preserve
the memorial to honor that they remain
strictly called to serve they fought and
died because of the sense of honor and
duty to defend their homes from an
invading army we can appreciate them and
their sacrifice while at the same time
being thankful they were not successful
in their efforts it is a monument to
honor the soldier not to honor the
Confederacy
you may not know this but not bad
two of my great grandsons ready to
America while they're young now I look
forward to the day when I bring them to
the courthouse square where we'll get
ice cream over at Murray's sit on the
bench and I'll explain our history to
them the memorial is a conversation
starter and removing it removes the
opportunity to have these conversations
removing it in fact attempts to remove
history
I was just some of the people to shop
our business spoke to her the most
directly affected on the daily basis
those who look out it was the courthouse
every day I spent how they felt about
our question several islands sent emails
expressing their thoughts many have been
shared with the committee members I
didn't hear any of them say that were
offended in any way now the statute may
play right where it is as far as I can
tell they all thought advantage of the
beauty the Lance spectrum the education
of the Kennedys I believe the soldier
has stood the test of time he stood
there for 100 years and I look forward
to celebrating is 100 worth day to some
hope all of you will join me for that
celebration and in fact even the
daughters of a hundred years ago for
having the course life to give it to us
my hope will start later my hope is that
we keep the monument and add language to
it that represents the struggles and
trials of the african-american
and my hope is also that we preserve
history and learn from this process so
we can understand who we are and how far
we've come and I would like to add my
thanks to those and new people to John
you've done a marvelous job keeping us
Tom thank you Kay everyone's arguments
are fantastic I'd like to thank John -
you've done it a great job keeping us
all proud and on task and stuff and the
committee it's been an honor serving
with all of you I'm Bobby Mitchell for
appointing me to this Advisory Committee
I actually was excited to serve on it's
been an extreme learning experience and
Peggy thank you so much I know we've had
you ran from one end to the other and
you probably disseminated more paper
during our time together than you have
in the last ten years and last but not
least the citizens that have taken their
to be involved in this process and to
come and listen and they come and speak
for or against it is good to see our
democracy in action and you exercising
your right to be heard my presentation
is very short and sweet I am for leaving
the statue in place and adding context
to it but there was a question that I
posed I think meeting or two ago that
said if if it said our Civil War soldier
would we even be here and Mr Hudson said
no so over and above of leaving the
statue where it is it's adding in
historical context I would like to see
the Denton County sealed the overlaid
over the CSA I would also like to see
our Civil War soldiers be overlaid over
our Confederate soldiers I think that's
a common-sense way I do believe that it
fits the the determination when it comes
to the Historical Society of changes and
that is something that could be done and
be done relatively inexpensive I too
have a hard time with tax dollars going
through this
it would take private fundraising but I
also believe there would be so many
people from both sides of the issue come
together to do that to make sure that
the context and other art that is added
out there would be done in great taste
and and so forth
I would love to see all whether kiosks
that had oral history on it that stated
the people were and didn't counting the
Civil Rights icons in Denton County that
made a difference in our County such as
Fred Moore and the skinners that have
been brought up in others I know Polly
you mentioned the women's group I didn't
know that and it's nice to learn
something about that I think there's
probably a lot of people in the county
that do not know a lot or know nothing
about the civil rights movement in the
county in the icons that helped make
this county where it is today and I
would love to see that and that's that's
my recommendation I'm gonna cut it short
and sweet to the point thank you so that
I don't exert a the executive privilege
in my turn to make my presentation
Thank You mr. Hudspeth for keeping the
conversation alive these many years
thanks to all the committee members to
Peggy I give thanks to all who gave
their lives to give us the freedoms that
we have in this country and my
presentation is going to be about five
recommendations that I have and also
about the strength to make changes let
me do my recommendations first number
one replace the Confederate statue with
a monument that pays tribute to all the
Fallen of Denton County from all wars
now to show you how how unconnected I am
in living in this community for 34 years
I did not know there was an all wars
memorial outside so what that tells me
is it's so nondescript that it does not
give the appropriate attention to the
issue for which it was erected my
recommendation is that we have a
monument that pays tribute to men to
women to Hispanics to Indians to African
Americans to Anglo Americans the Koreans
and the Japanese who all were a part of
all the Wars of this country my
recommendation is that every name of any
deceased who fought in a war would be
listed on that monument I one of my
eager assistants went through and found
all the names of all the World War two
deceased from Denton County it's here
for you to look at after our meeting he
listed everyone there all the names so
for those who want to go and touch
history touch their ancestors touch the
past say a prayer give a word of thanks
it's right there for you my
recommendation is also to convene an
Committee of diverse veterans and others
to see this project through from
conception to completion the county
should not pay for this memorial I'm
willing to commit a thousand dollars a
year for the next three years as my
contribution to this effort number to
relocate the Confederate statue to
either the I double O F Cemetery or the
Denton County Historical Park on Carroll
Boulevard that is a great piece of art
it is a great piece of history and I do
not want to desecrate the memory of any
who gave their lives as a veteran who
was serving in a what I consider a war
that to this day is still controversial
the Vietnam War I'm glad I was able to
serve my country but there's a lot of
confusion still around that number three
I recommend that a memorial be made to
chronicle the progress of race relations
and Denton County now this is this is a
more workmanship this is a poor man's
effort here one side has all the slaves
so we go from slavery to the next phase
in history which is Quakertown Park so
we have Quakertown Park here then we
have another momentous occasion in
Denton County history the Fellowship of
Christian women who laid the foundation
for the integration of the public
schools are commemorated here and last
but not least when you were Broncos and
so I'm proposing that we have not only a
memorial to the veterans but a memorial
to racial healing and I didn't have time
to bring my other incomplete which was
my fourth recommendation was that we not
just focused on veterans or on the past
but let's focus on the future and
branding our future we have a lot of
opportunity
right now the world is looking at us
what are we going to say about ourselves
is dentin simply about veterans is
dictum simply about race are there some
other things we would like to discuss
for example dentin is a great place to
live we value education we look at it as
a beacon for the future so use this for
another opportunity to talk positively
about ourselves and our vision for the
future and then our last one was to have
town hall meetings in all the locations
where we were previously to convey to
the citizens the decision that we came
to whatever the consensus is that we go
and we talk to people about why we chose
this and not the other how many minutes
do I have left mr. Sanchez two minutes
thank you I should be able to do this
the strength to change there was a time
in history when five slaves equal three
white men it was told the three-fifths
Amendment okay but things changed people
were strong enough to make a change
there was a time and emancipation was
necessary people were strong enough to
make a change even though there are lots
of voices clamoring people were strong
enough to make a change voting rights
for the slaves people made a change
prohibition people made a change one of
the ones I love the most women's right
to vote people made a change they
realized we thought to make a change the
poll tax was removed and
eighteen-year-olds when I was 18 I had
to go to Vietnam
thank you I'm almost there so I talked
about the strength to change and I
talked about how wonderful it was to
have this experience I hope that our
recommendations will have some
meaningful outcome and I thank you from
the bottom of my heart for this time
thank you
welcome sir I think it's important for
me to say that I've been doing this
talking about that statute for almost a
little bit over 18 years I came to this
committee with a preconceived idea of
what things what should have happened to
you in regards to that and I think many
of the members of already talked about
this situations changed when you get to
know the people who were dealing with
and that in fact happened to me what I
brought to the committee was my past and
it was a difficult time for me growing
up in a segregated community mr. Sanchez
let me know when I look at segregated
community that means only blacks were in
my neighborhood we all only ventured out
to go to work and come back horrendous
things are snapping to me as a young
person now I'm bringing all this to the
committee you must realize I want you to
realize that's what I'm having to work
through that history went through our
black school then at 18 is young men
never leaving my community it was thrust
into a war that I didn't agree
did not want to serve then I saw
horrendous things that happened there
and I left the war came home and people
treated me really bad and I didn't
understand I didn't want to go and it
was because we lost whatever that means
they didn't have a idea for Vietnam and
seeing people killed and dismembered in
mind and all that was was all about
didn't care I don't know whatever that's
what's happened on the committee to
that's happening to me and I brought
that to the committee then Christ came
into my life I went to church and I
didn't know what that was all about then
I met this thing and spirit that helped
me see that I should do better dad I
brought that to the community so coupled
with the 18 years almost of being out
there saying something's wrong here and
now having an opportunity to make a
change only to come to the committee and
they happened we all had the past's
started to come out and so now we're
working through the past of all of us in
my young life growing up not only would
he not be sitting here as a chairman of
anything he would not be allowed in this
building
nor I nowhere near is good enough to be
arraigned and sent away to some cage
that's all in music so now I'm sitting
on the committee and I'm trying to work
through what do I do
I think that
you have to understand what slavery does
to a person
if you do maybe done maybe you have some
situations like that - let me just keep
your imps in my life I'm marked this
March I don't know why I never
understood it it just marks right where
I go I'm affected the people treat me a
certain way because of this skin that I
had and because of a Christian I've got
to get over it I've got to somehow get
over it and let people do what they're
going to do and try to be good with what
I have - three names like you of what I
need to do I'm saying I like to say this
I'm not going to say the things that I
really wanted to say really what am I
gonna say because of mr. Boehner bless
these part million is part just a good
I'm not going to say that I'm just not
going to say and I think he said the
black this is this covers my problem
just tell you what I found that I've
heard history the history change with
the monument I don't like the statute
being moved somewheres
what part of history changes it doesn't
honor I don't want the honor of my
fellow of our parents and the soldiers
that fought not being honored anymore
what part changes by moving this and
putting another statue up there or
something up there with the names of the
person how does that change honoring
them I think it increases the honor
their names there and the last one
my problem my grandkids and their kids
how do I help them understand that we're
all black homes that's moving where I
think we ought to be going we looked at
the past it's there and you can honor
that we looked at where we are right now
the Vietnam stuff in our everything I'm
going through and it says to me we're
all in this together we are humans well
humans and we're in it together let's
just get together and make a change and
make it further for our future that does
it so plugging my brother thank you sir Commissioner
I would also like German fans as well as
members of the committee to count our
standard logic in Ireland notebook
county it compare one Advisory Committee
another book we were given our guideline
mission was to appropriately preserve
the Confederate soldier memorial as a
historical artifact using only resources
by the county and other authoritative
materials from historians engineer
materials related to the monument and
that was a very broad spectrum of
information we had to review after the
members of the k2000 chapter the United
Daughters of the Confederacy had spent
years young we proceeded Tara pounds and
bears and eccentric soldiers they wanted
to erect a monument to those soldiers
that information I found when I went to
Fort Worth and went through the archives
for the state of Texas for the United
dollars the Confederacy this project of
putting at the monument took several
years and only fundraising from the
chapter with the county funds used in
its purchase or placement to my
knowledge this is the only monument on
this day many citizens stated they
thought the monument should be used as a
teaching
I found out the monument is included in
courthouse Museum teaching program per
Riddle event information was asked for
so the question is answered but we need
to inform the public of this teachable
moment for our children
the fact is lacking and historical
information of the county and how the
war affected the citizens of the time I
feel the context of the plaque should
tell more of the county and the effect
the board had our geographic area over
the years there's also mental state
designations given to protect that
Monument the Denton County Courthouse
grounds which includes the Denton County
Courthouse which includes the grounds
Texas Historical Commission in 1970
getting that designation December 22
1977 didn't important us which includes
the ground was put on the National
Historic Places January 1st of 1981 the
Benton County Courthouse which includes
the ground was put on the state
antiquities landmark listed or
architectural and archaeological
classification classification on the
public square in 1979 Denton County
Courthouse on the square Museum history
was listed and then Denton County
Courthouse Square historic history was
and I have it down in two days it's the
same thing so I don't know what we have
two days July 24th 1999 and November 16
2011 strong Historic Places and then
historic architectural resources Denton
so if we're going to do anything with
those monuments we must go through those
entities before changes can be made to
the monument as it stands now that
doesn't mean that it can't it
and for them to be done the monument is
covered my holidays listed on the
grounds with the courthouse and the
public square it is my recommendation
you get above information that the
monument is to the soldier of the county
it is a counting on and it should stay
on the south side of men on the
courthouse museum grounds as both are
covered by the Texas Historical
Commission the National Register of
Historic Places the state antiquities
landmark distinction it also implements
the Veterans Memorial is the ranks above
amount and I'm sorry haven't noticed
that before because I have been to
Memorial Day celebrations then both
universities have went on the courthouse
branch the band
we need to work to let these two
monuments that they the other line we're
talking about celebrates after it does
not include that it does not however so
both of those are I think that slavery
every argument to try to support the
civil war and those that defendants
liquor is nothing more than instead an
excuse to try to justify the
unjustifiable
[Music]
one of the principle of dampers was to
penetrate everything on what I believe
education on the civil war the lost
cause black soldiers Southern Union
soldiers Exeter two of those have
supported the eradication of slavery the
Daughters of the Confederacy hot we use
you utilize the statute to maximize
education on such an important subject
as slavery as I have stated numerous
times the the statue on the squares was
not booked there in the vacuum then with
a history associated with that statute
when it was directed and also an agenda
most of the spending was for an agenda
in that agenda could not be approached
by the black community and Jennifer for
the most part and nothing to do with the
reality but based on myth there was this
controversy about the Confederate statue
on the dentist's word the controversy is
what does the statute stand for what is
it symbolize and who doesn't honor it in
an article on the dense square dated
nineteen thirty five years prior to the
statue be erected the dentist's
particles made that statue was to honor
the Confederacy what does that mean - to
honor the Confederacy
the clitoris of the Confederate States
of America that country that took up
arms to fight for slavery to see from
the United States of America and took
arms against the United States of
America not only do they want to create
their whole country but they want to
expand their country to other states in
the southwest southwestern United States
they did not have slavery this is what
this sudden this is what these other
disorders did there is no denying that yes let us look at the statue
itself needs to call another statue has
an inscription on the right the
following words are described here
amended by the Daughters of the
Confederacy in every veteran soldier
when the award self-sacrifice and
loyalty gained their manhood in their
lives to do this up in her hour of need
this is this inscription 30 states in
the upon earth to the Confederate
soldiers they took up arms against the
United States of America this
inscription is nothing short of treason
on the other column the following the
words are their names great on the
morning college Armstrong hurt or in the
future and and their examples reached a
part through all the years to meet
purposes and won't it need to actually
pure s as there's that was kind of what
I understand what already there that was
not generous or fewer the thoughtful
slavery that is effective the South
seceded from the United States of
America to create the Confederate States
of America
for one reason and one reason only one
reason and one reason only
so that was to have a country where
slavery was legal slave who is going to
be outlawed in the United States of
America the Confederate States of
America one hundred countries where
black human beings could be bought sold
work for free and bred like livestock
a country where black women little girls
and young boys could be great at the
wheel of the slave owner and his that
his born his white employees had no say
we're children because seat front hombre
were also sold and maintained as slaves
for no other reason that there's skin
color and they had no safe fighting for
the Confederate States of America was
neither an athlete generosity or purity
the myth that the South was against
slavery because they bended importing
slaves is called the Benedict forty
slaves because they only had strong
green II thought it would bring more
slaves but it'll only be value their
slaves valuable time
[Music]
the other no month of lipstick will hide
but the Confederate soldier thoughtful
last but not least are the water
problems were only white the green from
miswired comments are the culmination of
a thought process that Ernie the arrow
that the statue was erected black people
are second-class citizens or not equal
to thank you mr. Sanchez we have one
last entry into the record
there are a couple of unresolved issue
doesn't when phenomena ought to start
I've heard it said over and over again
that the southerners were traitors and
the monument is a monument to treason if
narrowly focused I suppose you could
call them prayers just like Patrick
Henry George Washington were traitors to
England and they were equally as
traitorous Sam Houston will you be
Travis worldly their efforts to secede
from Mexico the point being the victors
get the frame history anywhere they want
to they can call it the glorious
American Revolution because they wanted
the right to do so in the case of Civil
War our side won
that is a Concord family side and in the
magnanimity of victory the North chose
to grant amnesty and immunity from
prosecution for treason to the southern
brothers even Jeff Davis was not
prosecuted because some legal scholars
believe that there was a question as to
whether Northland strong enough in fact
the Supreme Court did not find
Leona's secessionism 1869
so the victors decided it wasn't not
treason and we can't come along 150
years later in deciding laws no double
jeopardy Jessica that's after World War
two when the Allies decided it was why
isn't University with a seek revenge the
business would bring the country back
together
steam proved by the Union victors
granted full rights and allow these
seminars that right under the dead that
in federal army means they even dream up
fanciful justifications who war was not
considered a threat the Union the North
won the South gathering there's the same
amount of energy extended to try the
tides the worn-out the slavery the logic
seems to be that it's likely this
possible war therefore every single soul
who caught up in the war was fighting
for slavery and by extension every
memorial to those dead southern soldiers
as a monument to slavery itself this is
a logical fallacy does not stand up to
any test as I mentioned elsewhere the
Southern cause before development
slightly the northern reason for
fighting the soul to preserve the other
ideas presented as about the coincidence
of the monument growing up to a period
encouraging racist activity the Jim Crow
period
and this supposed to Jim Crow pen - is
focusing by paying for two reasons one
because in almost every case I've found
war memorials with about forty to sixty
years after the war coinciding with the
aging and burn centers the desire their
children to summon Pappy Gatto leader
died that second notice that respond to
this point if every one of the 719 Civil
War monuments in the south as a monument
to racism and white supremacy and what
are the 2500 the morning spread to the
north examine the same time is certainly
weren't a civil rights and one of us a
fast forward in 2018 and it's horrific
racist incidents incidents which has
shocked the nation some but not all of
the appropriate bus sociopaths waiting
faked Confederate flags these are not
real Confederates they were angry crazy
people unfortunately as a result and
some people are projecting their healthy
hatred appraises onto this block as
stunned as if it were talisman of evil
and giving an italian never really had
the smacks of revenge because some
businesses like Confederate symbols
therefore will show their better living
all the criticism the sentiment behind
our campaign are actually doing
something about our own pub it's not so
simple
people rightly feel impotent they just
want this something to stand up to face
this threat to participate rather than
sit on their hands and do nothing
I completely understand this there are
battles to be fought but this is the
wrong one and then it didn't benefit of
this however has been a cause of real
national conversation about race this is
the discretion that is that needs to
happen right in my opinion it will
always need to happen and what can we do
about it
I favor keeping in mind the word is beef
up the explanatory plan and use it as a
focal point for a lesson about history
that it's not just another sanitized
supper Dallas it's a real terrible real
history and some of that history was not
so trusted I absolutely think we could
face the savory aspects of our history
as ponies we do the prostate ones hold
up the mayor of truth but this was
really us but we're trying to do better
this is why I propose the
african-american historical archive so
all citizens see what really happened
here
I believe it by creating an archive of
content of course by interpretive
exhibits we say something about
ourselves upon our commitment to the
truth and our willingness to face it
this is something was a lecturer than
lead on this could have a real benefit
to historians and anyone interested in
race relations if done properly have a
real and lasting effect and go a long
way to promoting understanding between
the races southern proposed having also
memorial on the squares account
[Music]
our history some of us are old and we
need to brush our hair powder our nose
so we're going to take a five-minute
break be back in 10 minutes ladies and
gentlemen as we stand right now we have
11 who have voted to leave the statue is
here with context we have four who voted
to remove so I'll ask the question is
that indicative enough of a consensus or
do we need to try again to get a a few
to come to the other side okay
amazing
I think we need to discuss terms topics
in matter the temperatures
I mean terms under which the total gets
to accept recommendation or we want to
bring people together don't equate some
worldly absolutely adequate to just
ignore some realistic service and favor
others and I know that let's talk about
with the discussion of context was meant
to he's meant to bring people together
but there's a there's a historical error
risk of repeating a hundred years ago
really the original sentence that we're
living through today the cinema hundred
years ago was not to seek consensus
[Music]
feminist federalism blowing spot about
the implications of lionizing those but
important is defeat some people live
right around the corner would still been
enslaved so I suggest that in the terms
of our recommendation we should include
a concerted effort to seek input and
consent from a number of constituencies
we heard people give us their initial
feelings about what should happen but
they should have an opportunity to
respond
not just to accept but to respond and to
consent if in fact the telling of this
full history is it's of a sufficiently
great benefit that it overcomes the
negatives of a public message saying
some people are less than let the let
the descendants of enslaved people say
so and make an umbrella and what the
descendants of veteran say so and maybe
they will and as far as tactics I think
we should just we should agree on what
needs to be covered in a
contextualisation
I think John you gave a good start and I
would say broadly if we're going to tell
the whole truth and we should tell about
the truth of slavery in Denton County we
should tell about the truth of the
experience of the Civil War here paper
town about segregation and about
desegregation
broadly most of the topics that I think
are essential and then lastly if we can
agree on the matter of contextualization
we've talked about this a little bit in
committee you've had a very big visual
symbol in a visual culture and then
adding a bunch of text is you know only
for those who want to stop and bother to
read it which is you know let's face it
this is a public square we're back and
forth to bars and restaurants and you
know whatever
visual impact this full story than we
need a visual manner of telling it I
would offer those areas terms topic to
matter as a way to reach consensus and
one of the professor's he spoke with us
said this statute has not power unless
we give it power it can contextually
mean as I said before what Maya Angelou
said and still we rise we can have
conversations with students and children
and editors and said people a race of
people or subjugated can you believe
never make it we've almost totally wiped
out the native americans but still buddy
rocks and ironically they're taking
their money back to the casino Miss
America but I think that this expands
you with context and I want mark to to
write things he said it was a final war
brotherbrother when Lee and grant nine
sites had dinner together and we're
trying to cover it by current events and
the best
I love these works this statute can be a
letter of instruction from the past and
still would rise and just a side note it
is could nine of Americans did not vote
until 1924 they even let women vote
before they let Native American fight
when we need to change the name of
didn't because it's hurtful
well hasn't the Choctaw Indian and maybe
this is too informal but he said just
filled a box around the statue and say
if you're brave enough to look at the
past open these doors maybe we can build
some accountability into it by having
reports to Commissioner's Court
I commend our commissioners I commend
our commissioners as leaders like an
eternity
the Office of history and culture
even the historical Commissioner doing
so many things for all peoples history
but I can't keep up with it but maybe
quarterly yearly report on all the
things that are going on now humming
from the those two people but turn the
black Film Festival it can be a national
[Music]
financial impact something that that
they bright enough to look at in the
past and a prominent plus may be joined
with the Union soldier I don't know
what if we can agree on once there but
if it's like Ronnie said in a kiosk with
ever-changing like calling input
[Music]
if there is a bummer for someone tough
you just deal with your problem we the
ruling class has spoken
[Music]
how is it that I should look at si si
any other way they it depicts me and so
you especially with the statements that
they make it was a session space stated
that the Negro is subhuman and that's
the CSA for the recession and there it's
on the monument how am I meant to say
never in fact 1999 when I started this
that was the issue that I've already
turn the water back on and they have
invited me for the work that I suggest
the other day was to say and one time
only White's can drink from these
families now everyone can drink from the
family
that's not ever let this happen again
please tell me how that's bad
how is that a bad thing so I need
someone to tell me when I just would
vote they can go ahead and in these
sessions look at the 11 for vote and let
me go on and do what I need to do it's
not bringing us together but inviting if
you explain to me how is that the
statute up there that says you say
whites only and less than their
agreement because they stopped working
and it was on there by Thome secondly
CSA being placed there I'd like to see
how in the world you can explain to me
that that's not racist precision
method of operating head thing and they
don't
[Music]
a couple things John my count is in the
Bible
my count is into fire so then pose the
question of whether or not there
constitutes a consensus and I think by
practical accountability apartment in
Venice I mean that's a supermajority in
the Senate but I think that the the
notion of the other consensus is an
artificial construct that the
commissioners in I don't see anything
wrong with their being being the split
vote I don't think
even Italy on this and I certainly think
the peers it's acceptable to to give
them two opinions of as to what ought to
be done
and they said no we're not going to
leave them there so what it was is where
we're going now
and I think but I started on this
committee
a meeting with one of the Commission
I resemble that so here's the statute
out front and that was the
recommendation are these in the
discussion very large plaque be put
underneath here explaining why si si
Confederate principles are no longer
applicable in this community very large
plaque here and on either side place a
television with a very large speaker to
provide audio-visual and include
conversations about the errors of the
past to include conversation about the
racial progress that has gone on in this
community and also to talk about a
redefining our rebranding
so with this kind of context the next
controversy comes who decides what's
going to be written here and then what
is enough for everybody
we've already got 10 to 5 so when it
comes time to write the script with two
attorneys and on the wannabes how are we
going to come to a consensus on what
gets you but we can come to a consensus
but once again it's not up to us this is
our recommendation to the commissioners
and then the hot potater is on their
plate to take our recommendations and
you just say ladies and gentlemen we are
going to funnel them vigorously or where
you'll do what we want to do in spite of
all the work you've done so we have to
do our job and place the potato with the
commissioners so my question then is at
our 10:00 to 5:00 could such a vehicle
satisfy the five and leaving it there
let's go to the five you tell if we had
enough content a large flag here where
nobody can walk through there every
photograph that's taken of the statue
has this conversation no more
Thank You Councilwoman and then having a
committee to come up with the
conversations that would go on on the
audiovisuals on the kiosk never here so
I ask those of us that of the five would
that be sufficient contacts you want to
go first I'm not sure well I think that
I have no problem that but I would ask
you a set of all 15 of us because some
of those who voted basically believe
where it is use that some group might
not like that okay and so I think hi I
feel I'm just talk to you Coleman last
Friday my feeling that I god is dead
unless we are at 12 to 3 and you may or
may not want to answer this lesson my
buck was buying these 12 to 3 then our
recommendation recommendation of
recommendations would not be seriously
considered and very well my lord well
let's start with a 5 and then we'll go
to the other - okay alfrid I guess
education has been my pick I mean that
one I believe in education I think
that's the way the statutes that stands
now it doesn't nothing not does nothing
for educating us on the Civil War or by
that statute
so any kind of and one of the things
that my concern is that the context
would not overwhelm the stack statute
that's one of the things one of the
ladies that came and talked to us about
the statue she says if you have a statue
you can't overwhelm it with context
because then you know otherwise it takes
away from the statue so what you want to
do is is basically make sure that what
you have there I really like this idea I
mean if we are forced to keep it there
education make sure that the information
is put there is correct and not continue
them some of these myths that we you
know we need to
I mentioned terms topics and manner
this is manner I'm fine at the man
I think there's absolutely no reason
whatsoever that we need to shrink from
the very simple task of identifying the
topics because boy is the devil in
details on that I think that could be
just about anything so we should
disagree should not shrink for defining
the topics that would constitute
adequate contextualisation and I have
not yet heard anyone respond to my call
on terms and if you feel that when our
brothers and sisters have said your blue
design might neck please remove it if
you really feel you do not have any
obligation to respond and ask for their
consent say so you know one thing
now let's talk about topics in
tournaments star what's gonna be on it
replace it you get to go from two to
five and then we're going to go to the
others to get any but if I'm gonna
preach it I have to price
so here I've been talking about
consensus and learning to come to the
middle and walking other shoes and
settle to seven so I don't get my way do
a run away and say I'm not gonna play
anymore
[Music]
if I don't get my way am I going to work
to come a little closer to others and
learn to live with some things if I
don't have everything exactly the way I
want
I'm going to come a little closer and
I'm learning to live but if it's too far
the chasm is too wide it can't do that
okay so that's why I say the
conversation is and what the details
aren't here what is the conversation
here and then who does the the editing
the creation the design of the audio
visual with the context to me that's
where the that's where the challenge is so if we
got some of this I can live with that
you're next
well I love the idea what what bolder
statement would there be
then she basically block the entrance
under the Confederate statue and saying
you can't enter here why can't you
because context because blacks couldn't
drink from these water fountains so I
love the boldness of getting people's
attention they're gonna see it and go
what do you mean I can't walk through
there anymore we I don't think there's
such a challenge in the context because
I think there's more of a consensus
there is no one here who says slavery
was good we all condemned it we all
condemned what our forefathers did I
think that's our consensus I mean and
you know Willie admitted that that he's
guilty of judging people I mean you
called us a racist because the color of
my skin and and I am and I hear you okay
I think that that our consensus though
is that the context there will bring
people together and I don't want to see
this as a political argument for some of
us who may be running for office I do
not want to see chaos coming this and if and if Willie and I have to hold
hands on the courthouse square or not
I'll do that to avoid the chaos or
political arguments coming out of this I
think we also have to be cognizant of
what you guys hit on if we go to the
Commissioner's Court with an opinion
that they cannot accept whether that be
for financial reasons or political
reasons or whatever we will have wasted
all of our time and I don't know how
many hours combined we have spent on
this the last thing I want to see happen
like Willie is for us to be sitting here
10 years from now having this argument
again we've got to do something bold
enough that puts the argument to rest
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suppression of any time where all the
one where the Brotherhood of baking time
and if we suppress any woman as wasn't
human at night so hope you got to
strategize each other
barrows painful in the past and once my
true that there's a common point that
shows how far we've come
this citizenship amendments to the
United States Constitution
just the house I can't say anything
worse though I walked with the Secession
Dartmouth of the sufficient whatever
there was it was abominable we've got a
counterpoint anywhere don't we have I
think even one of us would destroy the
statute if it would make crisis Ebola if
it would alibi this all southern but
someone might degrade point might be
that was started that I'm not sure
it wouldn't turn to that so it has they
were thinking of us anyone else I don't
like that I support that a hundred
percent I think that's a great idea
yes I move that the committee allow you
to go before the commissioners court and
report the results of our deliberations
and that becomes another topic we have
completed the task that was given to us
in my statement I said I would be in
favor of context yes I heard a second so
we've got a motion on the floor and a
second and me in the rules or we have
discussion members and I believe by
Roberts rules I get to speak first
please thank you the other we've been
very diligent and we've come to the
conclusion that Commissioner's Court
asked us to punt a we're there we can go
on and talk about what's going to go on
this contest
but we're not all we're saying is
content as far as to do with something
like this we said yes but just to say
context period not knowing what or how
it's going to be done I'm not really in
favor that's what scares me like you can
go over there and just put in a little
yeah so all in favor of this design is
what we all like to offer a friendly
amendment friendly amendment that will
go so far as to say that the context
should discuss slavery and segregation I
will go so far as to say that the
context should include what that
committee presents to the Commissioner's
Court with
whatever committee they have to put
together the content content is just
before we call the question
okay all right so the process of Joe and
I finally see this is what you do the
consistency is you come to something
some greedy I want to just like afraid
others we talked about a long time and
all will have something throw over there
were you what you want to be behind it
but if you like to be a part of the
conversation okay we'll make sure that
when we go to commissioners as will say
that these people we're going to
recommend this and we these people have
agreed to be a part of the conversation
yes call that exhibit one way to call it
something but it works well let me get
there okay hold on one second - so we
have a consent statute one we have a
very large context within the archway -
we have kiosks on either side three and
they will cover three topics the
veterans where they can be listed all
the veterans of didn't and their bands
right then we'll cover racial progress
and they will also cover the history
excuse me the future event okay okay I'm
okay with that okay now so we've got let
me read let me recap recap we got we got
a call this eventually mr. harrangue I'm
coming you got it eventually okay Tim
you have your hand up I don't wanna
leave yeah I think we all can see by
what you've drawn there is what many of
us have agreed to that we like is we
have to do something bold we're going to
do this we need to do something bold and
so if we're going to use terms and
things I think we need to put that in
whatever we decide to submit to the
commissioners that what they do adding
context needs to be pulled regard to
what put on there you know dr. Delaney
came and spoke with us and we've had
some really some great people give their
opinions I think once we find people
that are willing to be on the
committee's - for these things we're not
gonna have any trouble doing what we
need and so we tell people now I don't
think that you that you have to worry I
think it's pretty clear what we want
done and what's acceptable
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I'll be happy to get an artist rendering
and then get one two three four five
send it to all of you for your review
and approval or disapproval so that by
next Tuesday
we'll have something to present
physically to the commissioners say this
is our recommendation yes okay and then
if that's okay with you all of us will
show up they can next Tuesday at the
Commissioner's Court and testament that
this is what we agreed to
so if you okay with that I promise you
I'll give you a few more hours of my
work of my life do we still have your
pleasure you know you now serve on the
committee I haven't set up a post to it
I'm asking for a little consideration to
you know reach out to make it a more
well you know so it's not like a joint a
little more all hard so so all I ask is
that is that I don't think that's really
asking for very much it's not to say
yeah sentencer and that we will seek the
consent of the descendants of people as
most of evidence if you allow me to send
out the suggestion that at all and that
you would include your wording so that I
can I can have that when I circulate to
everyone then we can agree on it or
disagree so that when we come to the
meeting next Tuesday we'll have a
recommendation we had K and then will
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appear to be on is there certain person
okay so there's two pieces what is some
minimum statement of what must be
included I'm aware having spoken with
people with a said we have to put the
plaque it shouldn't just be some man
every statement that everything is okay
we have to tell the truth well the truth
about what and I think the two main
things to be slavery and segregation so that one the second thing that you
hear we talk about is a little
complicated sounding is this idea of
consent African American people
descendants of enslaved people who lived
around the corner were not considered or
consultant in the in the decision to put
the statuettes there in the public space
it was an exertion of extreme privilege
and we don't have to judge the past but
we don't have to live there either
and we have the opportunity today to be
considerate of the constituencies that
make up you know I think more than just
my voice to figure out how to do it but
you probably go back in the
recommendation probably go back to the
MLK Center you probably go to the to the
churches and seek consent from a broad
swath of that community and not subpoena
the errors of mystery to this degree
that we recommend this with the
inclusion of tellings of slavery and
segregation
recommendation that the final execution
you know of a statue extensive
consultation in favor of the visual
kiosks to talk about the three topics of
racial progress talk about our veterans
and then talk about our future and
within that Paul even have a
conversation about slavery it's all the
progress the whole thing may I reach
take my motion please my motion is that
the committee asks you to respond to the
Commissioner's Court that we have
completed the questions that they gave
us to answer and that we are
recommending that the memorial the
monuments think where it is and that
context be adding let's let's not make
this there's a lot of power in
simplicity and we need to keep this
simple
thank you
and we're still fighting it today a few
more minutes is not going to resolve the
issue I would like to think that we've
concluded with our responsibilities and
as I promised I will draft something and
submit it to all of you for your review
and either approval or disapproval I
look them your input into what needs to
be in this document so that once we were
concluded we can make a recommendation
in Commissioner's Court on Tuesday
morning and also ask that everyone that
can be there Tuesday morning for the
recommendation to the committee to the
commissioners it's at 9:00 a.m. on
Tuesday morning and I'll now entertain a
motion to so move those days thank you
very much