Dear Friends, Here is a little history that you may have not known. If you live in the City of Annapolis, African-Americans have been serving on the Annapolis City Council since 1873. The first African-American that was elected was a Republican. In fact, only African-American Republicans were elected to the Annapolis City Council for more than 100 years. African-Americans were proud to be identified with the Grand Old Party that was considered the party of Abraham Lincoln, the great emancipator. This did not change until, when the first African-American Democrat in 1981 was elected and he was the late Alderman Samuel Gilmer. Every African-American since then elected have been a Democrat. Alderman Gilmer succeeded the late Mayor John T. Chambers on the City Council. Mayor Chambers later changed his party affiliation to Democrat. Black Democrats have been elected every since. Alderman Gilmer served on the City Council for five terms. He was succeeded by Alderwoman Classie G. Hoyle. When Alderman Gilmer left the City Council, his colleagues passed a resolution to have the Transportation building in the City of Annapolis named after him. When you go to the Transportation Center you will find a small plaque. It is a disgrace. Instead, the building should be emblazoned with his name like the Carol S. Parham Building at the Board of Education or the Roger Pip Moyer Recreation Center. It is my hope that Alderwoman Rhonda Pindell Charles who succeeded Alderwoman Hoyle on the City Council will spearhead this effort. Alderman Gilmer a former president of the Anne Arundel County branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People(NAACP) should have the building named after him, look like buildings that have been named after other prominent citizens. As a member of the City Council, he championed transportation and affordable housing. He started the project that led to sidewalks being installed on Forest Drive. If our children are able to know their history, it must be preserved. Tomorrows posting will give a short history on African-Americans who have served on the Anne Arundel County Council. It will be brief because only three have every served. Information is power. Justice is indivisible. Truth is revealing and freedom must never be abandoned.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 13:44:36 +0000
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