Civil rights groups are calling for the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed in Baltimore, to be renamed due to the belief that Key was a racist slave owner. The Caucus of African American Leaders of Anne Arundel County has passed resolutions calling for the bridge to be rededicated, arguing that it is an opportunity for Marylanders to remove names that do not honor all citizens. The groups claim Key was a slave owner who wrote lyrics that demeaned black people, and are pushing for the bridge to be named after late Congressman Parren J. Mitchell, the first black man from Maryland elected to the US House of Representatives.
Francis Scott Key, who wrote the “Star Spangled Banner,” was a slave owner who grew up on a Maryland plantation and owned at least six slaves. While he eventually freed some of his slaves and helped others obtain freedom, critics argue that he represented slaveholders and supported initiatives to send black Americans to Africa. Key has also been accused of making derogatory statements about black Americans. However, the accuracy of these quotes has been questioned by the Star Spangled Music Foundation, which maintains that Key’s beliefs have been misrepresented in some instances.
The resolution to rename the bridge has been submitted to the governor’s office by the caucus, with plans to discuss the matter further with the governor in the future. The caucus is aware that there will be opposition to their proposal, but they believe they are on the right side of history and will eventually prevail. While critics argue that now is not the time for discussions about renaming the bridge, civil rights groups are determined to bring attention to the issue and advocate for a bridge name that better represents the values of the community.
The Caucus of African American Leaders includes civil rights groups such as local NAACP chapters and the United Black Clergy of Maryland. They argue that renaming the bridge is a step towards honoring all Marylanders and correcting the historical inaccuracies associated with Francis Scott Key. Despite the pushback and potential opposition, the caucus is committed to advocating for a more inclusive and representative name for the bridge.
While some believe that conversations about renaming the bridge can wait, civil rights groups are determined to address the issue in a timely manner. The governor, Wes Moore, has indicated that his current focus is on recovering the bodies of the construction crew employees who were killed during the bridge collapse and on ensuring the safe reopening of the channel. However, civil rights groups will continue to push for the renaming of the bridge and are hopeful that their efforts will result in a more inclusive and representative name that reflects the values of the community.
