Blue Ribbon Commission on Race, Memorials and Public Spaces

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The Blue Ribbon Commission on Race, Memorials and Public Spaces (BRC) was a task force established by the Charlottesville City Council on May 2, 2016[1], following a recommendation by mayor Mike Signer.[2]

The City Council created the ad-hoc Blue Ribbon Commission on Race, Memorials and Public Spaces (BRC) at the City Council's May 2, 2016 regular meeting to address the questions and concerns brought before Council regarding the statues of Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. Eleven BRC members were appointed after an application process. A final report was presented to Council at the City Council's December 19, 2016 regular meeting. The Council members reviewed the BRC’s recommendations at the City Council's January 17, 2017 regular meeting.[3]

The commission was tasked with providing council with “options for telling the full story of Charlottesville’s history of race and for changing the City’s narrative through our public spaces.”[1] At its meetings, the commission has sought public input to decide whether monuments in city parks to Confederate generals (Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson and Robert E. Lee) should be relocated or changed to reflect current values, and discussed ways to enhance other historic sites.

The majority of the commission voted to retain the Jackson and Lee statues in place but to re-contextualize them possibly by renaming the parks. A final report was presented to City Council on December 19, 2016.

At the City Council's February 6, 2017 regular meeting[4], council members voted to relocate the statue of Robert E. Lee and use the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission to redesign both parks.[5]

At the City Council's June 5, 2017 regular meeting[6]council members voted to rename Lee Park as Emancipation Park and Jackson Park as Justice Park.[7]

Members

On June 6, 2016, City Council appointed the following members to the Blue Ribbon Commission: [8]

Gordon Fields resigned from the Commission in August 2016 due to a health issue. Sue Lewis was appointed as his replacement.[9]

Subcommittees

The Blue Ribbon Commission on Race, Memorials and Public Spaces is divided into four subcommittees, each focusing on a specific charge from City Council:[8]

Public Engagement

Responsibility: Develop engagement format for community forums.

Members: Dukes, Burruss.


Case Studies

Responsibility: Research other cities who have taken on similar responsibilities as the the Blue Ribbon Commission on Race, Memorials, and Public Spaces.

Members: Gathers, Lewis.


Inventory of Historical Sites

Responsibility: Create an inventory of historical sites in the City of Charlottesville that are related to the City Council charge.

Members: Lloyd, Douglass.


Historical Context and Background

Responsibility: Examine the full history of inventoried sites in Charlottesville and research histories that haven't been told.

Members: Mason, O'Bryant, Smith.

Recommendations

On November 1, 2016, the Blue Ribbon Commission voted 6-3 to recommend the statues of Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson in their respective parks after learning that it would cost approximately $700,000 to relocate the statues.[10]

The commission presented a draft of its report to City Council on November 10, 2016. It recommended that the Robert E. Lee sculpture remain in the park "on the condition that new design and/or reinterpretation transform its context and historical interpretation."[11] The commission also voted unanimously to rename Lee Park.[11]

The report also recommended:

Related Initatives

The Blue Ribbon Commission's assessment of Lee and Jackson parks and other public spaces accelerated progress on several historic preservation initiatives in the city.[12]

City Council appropriated $80,000 for the rehabilitation of the Daughters of Zion Cemetery following a May 2016 rededication ceremony. [13]

In September 2016, the city’s Historic Resources Committee presented a plan to establish a park that would commemorate the history of Vinegar Hill to the Blue Ribbon Commission. [14]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Web. Resolution: Blue Ribbon Commission on Race, Memorials and Public Spaces, City of Charlottesville, retrieved Sept 2 2016.
  2. Web. Statement from Mayor Mike Signer on Charlottesville’s Confederate Memorials, Mike Signer, Press Release, City of Charlottesville, retrieved December 31, 2016.
  3. http://charlottesville.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=charlottesville_4cd48dddc50f07764354e3ef2358f96a.pdf
  4. http://www.charlottesville.org/home/showdocument?id=52745
  5. Web. "City parks to be redesigned, renamed along with Lee statue removal", Chris Suarez, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, February 7, 2017, retrieved February 8, 2017. Print. February 8, 2017 page A1.
  6. http://www.charlottesville.org/home/showdocument?id=56196,
  7. Web. Charlottesville City Council renames Lee, Jackson parks, Chris Suarez, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, June 5, 2017, retrieved August 2, 2017.
  8. 8.0 8.1 Web. Blue Ribbon Commission on Race, Memorials and Public Spaces, City of Charlottesville, retrieved September 7, 2016.
  9. Web. "Sue Lewis appointed to commission on race and memorials", Chris Suarez, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, August 16, 2016, retrieved October 14 2016.
  10. Web. "Panel votes to recommend keeping statues in their parks", Chris Suarez, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, November 1, 2016, retrieved November 11, 2016.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 Web. "City of Charlottesville Blue Ribbon Commission on Race, Memorials, and Public Spaces: Report to City Council (Draft), The Blue Ribbon Commission on Race, Memorials and Public Spaces, City of Charlottesville, November 10, 2016, retrieved November, 11 2016.
  12. Web. "Creation of blue ribbon panel boosts initiatives already underway in city", Chris Suarez, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, Sept 20 2016, retrieved Oct 14 2016.
  13. Web. "City Council Agenda: September 6, 2016", City of Charlottesville, September 2016, retrieved October 14, 2016.
  14. Web. "Vinegar Hill Park plans unveiled, Josh Mandell, September 1, 2016, retrieved October 14, 2016.

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