A coalition of African American groups in Maryland is advocating for the renaming of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge due to racism associated with Key’s legacy. The Caucus of African American Leaders of Anne Arundel County has voted to call for changing the names of two bridges in Maryland, including the Key Bridge. The coalition, which includes organizations such as an NAACP chapter and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, is proposing that the replacement bridge be named in honor of the late Rep. Parren Mitchell, the first African American elected to the U.S. House from Maryland. Mitchell was also a civil rights pioneer as the first Black graduate student at the University of Maryland.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore has stated that he is focused on providing closure to families affected by the bridge collapse, as well as rebuilding the bridge. The coalition believes that public structures and buildings funded by taxpayers should not be named after individuals who owned slaves. The controversy surrounding the Key Bridge’s name is rooted in Key’s ownership of slaves, as well as accusations of racism. Key, the author of the national anthem, was known to have purchased enslaved individuals, although he also represented Black Marylanders who sued for their freedom in court.
Concerns about Key’s racist legacy stem from a quote attributed to him stating that Black Americans are “a distinct and inferior race of people.” However, the accuracy and context of this quote have been disputed by the Star Spangled Banner Foundation, which claims that it has been incorrectly attributed to Key as an expression of his attitudes about race. Some conservatives on social media have speculated about the possibility of renaming the Key Bridge due to past efforts to “cancel” Key and his controversial past. Social media users have also pointed to a previous article from The Associated Press suggesting that there may be a push to rename the bridge in the future.
Several political figures in Maryland, including Rep. David Trone and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, did not respond to requests for comment on the proposal to rename the Key Bridge. Republican Maryland Senate candidate Larry Hogan’s campaign also did not provide a comment on the proposal. Democratic Rep. Kweisi Mfume, whose U.S. House district includes the Key Bridge, did not respond to a request for comment either. The coalition is lobbying Governor Moore and the state’s General Assembly to consider renaming the bridge in honor of Rep. Parren Mitchell, emphasizing the need to address the racial implications of Key’s legacy.
The controversy surrounding the Key Bridge’s name reflects broader debates around renaming public structures and monuments that honor individuals with controversial legacies. The coalition of African American groups in Maryland is advocating for a more inclusive and representative approach to naming public spaces, highlighting the importance of recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to civil rights and social justice. As discussions continue around the proposal to rename the Key Bridge, it underscores the ongoing efforts to address historical injustices and promote racial equity in public commemorations and spaces.
