One year after racists invaded Charlottesville, Virginia, continuing their narrative of blood, death and havoc, what’s changed? Confederate monuments of hate still stand strong, proudly basking in the glow of the sun while we argue the same points and plunge deeper and deeper into boondoggle conversations. Ironically, about 30 minutes down the road there is another city drowning in its own past and present, plagued with a historic identity no state wants to claim.

Historically, Richmond, Virginia is a southern city caught between two worlds, the traditional south, and the progressive north. Its unique place as the crown of the south has proven to be Richmond’s greatest gift and curse, granting it a front row seat and role in a savage American past and present. From the delicately placed cobblestone streets of Shockoe Bottom, to the banks of the James River, Richmond has been the hotbed for America’s atrocities since its incorporation in 1742.

As a full-blooded Richmonder, born and reared in the city’s north side, there is rarely a day that goes by that I am not shocked with its growth and evolution into RVA. This gradual development into RVA has ignited the flame of Richmond’s hellish past and its role as the capital of the Confederate States of America, slavery and glorification of racist hate mongers — although descendants of these faded misplaced heroes of hate refer to them as “patriots.” However, what most black Richmonder's and visitors see is the unapologetic immortalization and god-like projections, casting shadows of blood, of their oppressors!

If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m jumping directly into the debate regarding the confederate statues decorating, specifically, the City of Richmond’s Monument Avenue, but public streets and parks nationwide. It’s no secret that Richmond’s slave markets fueled the American south and its obsession with oppression. At its height, Richmond, Virginia is said to have had more than 40 percent of all African captives imported into the United States come through its humble thoroughfares to be sold in its markets.

After their loss in the American Civil War, confederates erected statues of Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis, J.E.B Stuart and other prolific traders along Monument Avenue, and the trend was the same across the south. These statues were placed there and in other areas around Richmond as a reminder and battle cry to confederate fighters that the south would rise again. The statues were also built to intimidate and remind former slaves desiring equality in a post-war south, who was still in charge.

So what’s the next step in respecting history, but not honoring its all-star line up of hate? Most, like me, believe the statues should stay, but additional signage should be added for further clarification of their crimes. Although the nature of them are grotesque, they serve as a reminder of times past and attract thousands of people into the new RVA and other historically important locations across America. Some states and localities have looked into removal as an option, but in some cases, removal is not the most financially viable option. Estimated quotes for removal in Richmond averaged about 900K to 1.2 million per statue. It is my opinion that the city government has taken incredible steps to hear both sides of the debate without bias. During the debate, local government has maintained transparency in their role in statue upkeep, security, maintenance and investigations regarding vandalism and removal.

Our fight is not over! In recent months Richmond has seen the renaming of J.E.B Stuart Elementary to Barack Obama Elementary School, and the dedication of a new statue honoring African-American hero, Maggie Walker. Nationally, there is also renewed interest in black communities and organizations working together in ways we have not seen since the civil rights era.

As a people, our brilliance is our gift! The abilities to adapt, survive and live in any situation makes us unique. Richmond and other cities across the south are not perfect and still continue to be greatly divided. These divisions created by old unhealed wounds, festering and flaring in cities like Charlottesville, continue to drive the problem. With small steps and compromise, a new story can begin to take root! Let’s be a part of the solution!

Shawdows of Blood

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