FRESH STUFF DAILY
Seacoast New Hampshire
& South Coast Maine
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
|
|
| |
|
|
|
cc8
cialis canada canadian levitra online prescritions canadian cialis Viagra Canada Pharmacy where to buy fenfluramine propecia without prescription propecia 5mg cialisis tadalafil tablets 5 mg prices cialis cialis canada buy viagra canada panama pharmacy viagra canada ACCOMPLIA(BUY) canadian viagra cialis australia cheap prescription free viagra levitra online levitra sales online cialia or viagro cialis online cialis no prescription zoloft viagra canada pharmacy online viagra
0
|
Portsmouth African Burial Ground Blues
|
 |
 |
|
Written by J. Dennis Robinson
|
|
Page 1 of 3 
When workmen "discovered" the African American Burial Ground beneath the streets of Portsmouth in 2003, the city agreed with one voice that a memorial was needed. But how to honor as many as 200 citizens whose graves had been ignored and built over by the city? The first draft of the memorial designs were released recently, and in the words of the Burial Ground committee chairman, "Now we know what we don’t want."
EDITORIAL: Black Cemetery Memorial Still in Limbo
READERS REEPOND to this editorial
VISIT OUR: Black Heritage web section
I haven’t written about the African Burial Ground project for years. I find the topic too emotional to cover. It still shames and enrages me that, in a city with acres and acres of cemeteries, Portsmouth managed to tar and build over its one graveyard delegated to black citizens. When I talk about this topic, my voice cracks. We did to these poor souls in death, what we did to them in life. We denied them their humanity.
 When a few of what may be hundreds of decayed coffins were discovered under the street at the corner of Court and Chestnut in the fall of 2003, it was no surprise. A bronze Black Heritage Trail plaque at the top of the street told us what was buried there. People have been working hard for generations not to dig too deep and uncover what everyone knew was under the street. It was no surprise, but it was a great relief. Portsmouth’s long-whispered secret was finally exposed. The time for apologies, reparations and forgiveness had begun.
Last month, after years of research, discussion and planning, the City of Portsmouth unveiled the first draft of its design for a memorial area on Chestnut Street. The design did not carry water. It was unremarkable. It looked, for lack of a better description, like a white-man’s park, with neatly placed signs, concrete benches, pretty shrubs, brick walkways, a fence and a little memorial. It looked safe. It looked cost-effective. It looked like every tiny memorial park you have ever seen. The most interesting concept showed a serpentine pathway that, at second glance, looked almost exactly like the logo of Woodman & Company Landscape Architecture, LLC, the firm that submitted the designs.
Pretty much everyone in attendance at the last African Burial committee meeting was disappointed. But this is a very polite group and no one got upset. Historian Valerie Cunningham calmly explained, once again, the difference between traditional white cemetery design and the African way of death. Africans saw all members of their community as one big family and bodies were often buried close together with little if any permanent markings. Committee members suggested that the site might be colorful, less perfect and neat, more reflective of African imagery and African beliefs. The design firm accepted the criticism graciously and headed back to the drawing board. What we have so far is the musical equivalent of Gerry and the Pacemakers singing their bland version of a dynamic Little Richard tune. What the project needs now – has needed from the start – is a visionary artist who can turn this emotional story into a powerful public space.
CONTINUE
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 Next > End >>
|
Please visit these SeacoastNH.com ad partners.
Portsmouth Herald
|
Portsmouth Herald Latest Headlines
|
| Portsmouth Herald News from SeacoastOnline.com |
-
UNH hockey powers past Terriers
DURHAM — The play of the University of New Hampshire men's hockey team special teams looked, well, special, Friday night against Boston University.
-
NFL's premier corner Revis mans up on Moss again
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Darrelle Revis has heard enough about his last matchup with Randy Moss. The New York Jets cornerback just wants to move on to the next one.
-
Father-son coaches creating legacy with Winnacunnet football
HAMPTON — If nothing else, Winnacunnet High School has proven that two Steve Magris are better than one when it comes to coaching football.
-
Bergeron wins it for B's in OT
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Patrice Bergeron scored with 47 seconds left in overtime, lifting the Boston Bruins to a 2-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night.
-
Emotional home finale for UNH football
DURHAM — One year ago this week, University of New Hampshire strong safety Terrence Klein intercepted two late passes to preserve a snowy 28-24 win at Maine, more proof that...
-
Carter, Magic drop Celtics
BOSTON — Vince Carter scored 26 points, Rashard Lewis had 16 points and 10 rebounds, and the Orlando Magic beat the Boston Celtics 83-78 on Friday night.
-
Portsmouth says stimulus jobs overstated by White House
PORTSMOUTH — While federal stimulus dollars flowing into the city may help both causes and the economy, at least one local project echoes concerns expressed nationwide about the accuracy of...
-
Joseph Popluhar
TAMPA, Fla. — Mr. Joseph Popluhar, 71, of Tampa, formerly of Portsmouth, N.H., beloved husband of Marjorie (Hunt) Popluhar, died Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009, in Florida.
-
Turkey Trot 5K in Portsmouth on Thanksgiving morning
PORTSMOUTH — Thanksgiving is one of the most charitable times of the year. If you're in the giving mood, why not get a little exercise, too?
-
Marshwood Middle School parents told 58 of 60 kids accepted unknown Facebook friend
ELIOT, Maine — Marshwood Middle School parents were shocked to learn from Internet expert Jayne Hitchcock Thursday evening that 58 of 60 middle school honors students accepted her as a...
-
Newington tax rate drops, but selectman chides state lawmakers
NEWINGTON — Town taxpayers will pay a lower tax rate for 2009, but the chairman of the Board of Selectmen announced the good news with some concerns for state politicians.
-
Memorial Bridge re-opens
PORTSMOUTH — The Memorial Bridge reopened ahead of schedule on Friday following a month of repairs that forced motorists to seek alternative routes between the city and Kittery, Maine.
-
Bakers bustling for Sunday's pie festival
GREENLAND — Judy Alix laughed excitedly. "Thirty made, only 470 more to go!" she exclaimed.
-
3-car crash on Woodbury Ave.
PORTSMOUTH — A three-car, chain-reaction crash snarled lunch hour traffic Friday on Woodbury Avenue and sent a Maine man to Portsmouth Regional Hospital.
-
Thumbs up to preservation, determination
Thumbs up to the heirs of Mary McIntire Davis for selling a 239-acre parcel of salt marsh and forest along the York River to the York Land Trust ,and to...
-
John R. Genthner
HAMPTON FALLS — John Richard Genthner, born Jan. 28, 1943, in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada, died peacefully Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009, after a long illness. He was surrounded by...
-
Runner's Alley helps racer achieve her goals
I would like to thank Janine and the staff at Runner's Alley for their great work in this community. Their contribution, enthusiasm and encouragement are a shining example of what...
-
New Generation raises $10,000 with golf tourney
The New Generation Golf tournament was held at Breakfast Hill Golf Club. With the help of all those who supported it, we made more than $10,000.
-
Memorial is a N.H. bridge; Herald must act to save it
Sitting a couple of hundred miles up the Maine coast, there isn't anyone who knows or cares about our bridge. They've got their own big-time problems that aren't getting fixed.
-
Robert F. Pucciarelli
WELLS, Maine — Robert Francis "Bob" Pucciarelli, 83, of Wells, formerly of Medway, Mass., died early Thursday morning, Nov. 19, 2009.
|
|
|
|
|
| Saturday, November 21, 2009 |
|
|
|
