(Annapolis, MD) The inauguration of the first African-American Governor of Maryland, Wes Moore, is the culmination of struggle, desires and purpose. I watched with anticipation as he put his hand on a Bible, once the possession of Frederick Douglass and another which his grandfather, a pastor, used. This was deliberate. Governor Moore has never shied away from his religious convictions, nor has he shied away from the historical moment.
How do you challenge yourself to remember the past, but chart the
future? It isn’t easy. Some would like this only Black governor to keep, “the
past in the past.” This is not in his nature. I witnessed it personally. Make
no mistake this is not his make-up. The Governor gets his energy from looking
to future. He warned during his inaugural speech, “there will be naysayers.”
Beating back those who doubt his authenticity underestimate his resolve.
There is a lot symbolism with context, timing, and place.
Context
There is a painting which shows the second Lord Baltimore
with a map of Maryland and a nephew who he assumed would lead the state. In the
dark recesses of the painting is an enslaved young man (a man servant) holding
a rooster. It says a lot that a painter would include this. As the Governor
begins the process of taking office he walks pass the painting.
Timing
Walking down Main Street with his family to the City Docks
must have seemed surreal. There is a monument dedicated to Alex Haley, the
author of Roots. It is here where
Haley chronicled his relative, “Kunte Kinte.” The timing spoke to the hundreds
of enslaved people who were marched through Annapolis, who were sent to Landowners/Planters
in the new world, and never knew what it meant to be free.
Place
There is a town near where Harriet Tubman and Frederick
Douglass were enslaved. It’s on Maryland’s eastern shore it’s called
Unionville. It was created by slaves who joined the Union army. “Southern sympathizers” never imagined these
former enslaved people would take up arms to fight against the Confederacy. It
was a sore spot for those who lost in the Civil War. At the church in
Unionville, there is a cemetery where these soldiers are buried.
Despite being free, the county seat placed a statue of a confederate
soldier on the courthouse steps. It was done intentionally, they
wanted to send a message. It was a part of a time called the “Lost Cause.”
Unionville and those souls buried are restless. They would never see nor dream
of a day when there would be a Black Governor. In this place, time waited and
served notice their cause was not in vein.
Context
President Abraham Lincoln in 1862 upon meeting Harriet
Beecher Stowe, the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, said, she was "the little woman who wrote the book
that started this great war (Civil War)." I know neither Lincoln nor Stowe
would have envisioned a Black man would lead Maryland.
Timing
It may be convenient to find fault in policy changes. Former Governor Larry Hogan provided some advice to the incoming administration. Hogan said it would be “a mistake” for the legislature to “recklessly spend down the surplus” and undermine Maryland’s “strong fiscal position.” It seems “rich” to make pronouncements and be taken seriously. FYI, the 2024 Budget proposed by the new Governor like previous Governors funds the things they championed (Schools and Transportation). Governor Moore stuck with a similar plan to add 10% of the budget coffers to “The Rainy-Day Fund.” Business as usual is flipped.
Place
Annapolis will become a focal point in the state. Each move by the new governor will be scrutinized. When you cover politics there are no straight lines. The thing I will watch is how the Moore administration manages the missteps and recovers. This administration will find it’s “sea legs” as they navigate waters. There are no favorites, despite suggestions to the contrary. Holding an administration accountable is what I have always done. My tough questions should not be construed as “hate-in” on the Governor. Accountability.
