The 3rd Annual Baltimore County Coalition of the MLMP Community Outreach Forum (January 22, 2022) was a huge success. Our outstanding speakers framed the discussion and left us with much to consider as we move forward in the work. For those who were unable to attend the event, or wish to watch again, please visit the link: https://bit.ly/2022-BaltCo-Forum.
Our speakers:
Rev. Dr. Alvin Hathaway served as the 10th Pastor of historic Union Baptist Church in Baltimore, the same institution led by Rev. Harvey Johnson who played an critical role in the short life of Howard Cooper. In 1885 (just weeks before Cooper's lynching) Rev. Johnson founded the United Brotherhood of Liberty, one of the first civil rights organizations in the nation and a precursor to the NAACP. Dr. Hathaway is an expert on the life of Rev. Johnson and will discuss the role of the church and Rev. Johnson in advancing civil rights in Baltimore.
Dr. Elyshia Aseltine is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice at Towson University and recipient of the Martha A. Mitten Professorship. Her research focuses on racial disparities in response to, and punishment of, crime. Dr. Aseltine will discuss the connection between racial terror lynching, over-policing and mass incarceration.
Dr. Kalima Young is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electronic Media and Film at Towson University where she has created a project known as Invisible Architectures, a “multi-year, interdisciplinary container designed to create avenues for projects and programs that reinscribe the voices of Black, brown, indigenous, and immigrant populations in the narrative of Towson University’s origin story." An important element of the project is understanding how public spaces can reflect the history of racial trauma and express public and collective grief.
The program included a poetry reading about the Howard Cooper lynching by a Baltimore County middle school student as well as the announcement of the Racial Justice Poetry Contest open to all 8th grade students attending school in Baltimore County. The deadline is April 22, 2022 with prizes for the top five finishers.
Updates on the proposed Truth and Reconciliation Park and a concept for a "Freedom Trail" connecting the Ridgely Estate (Hampton Mansion) with Historic East Towson, the Black community founded in the 1850s by people who were formerly enslaved at the Ridgely Estate were shared.
Finally, we discussed preparations for the Baltimore County public hearing to be held on June 4, 2022 by the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We believe it likely that descendants of these people, and others with knowledge of the episode, are still residing in Maryland. We are asking anyone who has reason to believe they may possess knowledge about the Cooper lynching to please contact us at this email address: baltimoreco.mdlmp@gmail.com or leave a message at 410-821-6210.
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