What would KKK think of Black history 25 years after State House protest?
A quarter of a century ago this month, the Capital Gazette, Baltimore Sun and Washington Post reported that the grand dragon of the American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan of Maryland was coming to the State House to protest the “racist” nature of Black History Month.
The Ku Klux Klan arrived on Feb. 7, 1998, with members dressed in their hoods and robes. This was not their first appearance in Annapolis; they also came in 1994.
They were determined to make sure “Black history” would not be taught in public schools in Maryland.
During their appearance, Klan members screamed and shouted racist and antisemitic comments. Their comments regarding “Black history” is reminiscent of those who claim critical race theory is being taught in public schools and will harm white children.
The beauty of longevity and history is that it gives you an opportunity to put things in perspective.
I am sure the white supremacists who attended the 1998 rally would be shocked to learn that 25 years later, the governor, attorney general, treasurer, and speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates are African Americans.
They must realize their State House protest had a superannuated or antiquated impact on the progress Maryland continues to make. Now, there are 64 African Americans serving in the Maryland General Assembly.
I am old enough to remember when only the late Sen. Aris T. Allen Sr. was the only African American to represent Anne Arundel County in the General Assembly.
Today we have Dels. Shaneka Henson, Joseline Pena-Melnyk, Gary Simmons, Sandy Bartlett and Mike Rogers — the largest delegation of Blacks to represent the county at the state level.
In addition to this, we have Judge Vickie Gipson, Judge Elizabeth Morris, Sheriff Everett Sesker and Register of Wills Erica Griswold elected to public office.
I have been asked to keynote the 10th Annual Black History Month Celebration at the Live! Casino Hotel in Hanover on Feb. 23, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by the Morgan State University Jazz Ensemble.
Some of the local honorees are the Rev. Dr. Barbara Palmer, Vincent O. Leggett and Gloria Dent. The event, sponsored by the Maryland Washington Minorities Assocation and Live! Casino represents the Klan’s worst nightmare.
After all, 25 years ago, the Ku Klux Klan never thought not only would Black history be taught in public schools, but Klan members would live long enough to see a Black superintendent, Dr. Mark Bedell, being responsible for the educational system in Anne Arundel County.
My elders would say “Ain’t God good” and an entire community — white and Black — would respond with “Amen.” When you know your history, you know your greatness.