As bridge is being rebuilt, think of who to honor

The efforts by the Caucus of African American Leaders of Arundel County to rename the Francis Scott Key Bridge are admirable but seem insensitive and ill-timed.

The bridge remains in the water and two missing workers have not been recovered. It seems an affront to grieving families, to try to boldly advance a civil rights agenda in the wake of such a tragedy, while the recovery of the missing remains part of an active investigation.

The urgency of the moment should be focused on supporting those families, not rushing to try to pressure the governor to commit to a name change. I fully understand the deep desire to try to right historic wrongs and remove names and other vestiges that speak to a difficult past for persons in this state.

Key’s name adorns many schools and other structures in Maryland — the reality is his legacy, however complicated, is etched in the fabric of this state. As the bridge is rebuilt, we have an opportunity to think of how we might honor others who have played a role in making this a better Maryland.

I would say let’s start with the workers who lost their lives on that bridge. Let’s consider renaming it for a Latinx immigrant with deep ties to Baltimore who represents all that the immigrant community has historically contributed to this state.

This tragedy has certainly shone a light on those efforts. Our efforts to diversify don’t always have to be so black and white. We do, however, need to make these considerations with intention and deepest respect for all involved. Timing is everything and now is simply not the time to make such a decision.

— Lynne Williams, Baltimore