Recently in and around Atlanta, efforts have been made to reshape how we view and understand our history through what is memorialized around us. Last month, in Piedmont Park and other locations, panels were installed that provide more information about when and why monuments glorifying aspects of the Confederacy were erected.
The reasons for this contextualization, rather than the outright removal of the monuments, is because of state law that prohibits their removal, even if local communities do not want them.
The FCRC is dedicated to highlighting untold history that runs counter to the narratives purported by Confederate monuments and “lost cause” mentality. Our Stories From the Soil Exhibit reminds all who see it of the human cost of white supremacy.
At our monthly planning meeting, we had the first of what will be a series of conversations reflecting upon the history, challenges, and motivations of our work. We listened to the words of Frederick Douglass, spoken by James Earl Jones, as he examined the meaning of the 4th of July for people of color in 1865. He wasn’t a fan, you might say.
The conversation afterward was wide-ranging and illuminating. Feel encouraged to come to meetings in the future and get involved! Start a conversation in your own circles about this piece.
During our Palmetto soil collections on April 13th, we were fortunate to have Elliott Robinson of the Creative Tension podcast join us for the ceremony. He recorded parts of the event and interviewed Allison Bantimba about our work and its significance.
Please enjoy this episode diving into the need for Fulton County and everyone to properly remember the history and victims of racial terror in our communities.
Bryan Stevenson’s Equal Justice Initiative has undertaken a massive soil collection project to honor the lives of men, women and children killed by racial violence. We spend time with Allison Bantimba, who heads their Fulton County (GA) Remembrance Coalition, and explore both the importance of this ceremony and the transformative impact of remembering on individuals and communities.
Welcome to the FCRC website. It can be used to direct people interested in attending our events, encourage others to get involved in our work, and document our activities as we work to appropriately recognize historical racial terror in Fulton County and honor those lost to it.