Black Voices Vol. 4

Vol. 4 | August 2022 vote

VOICES

FREEDOM Dseamvoecroaurcy

LIBERTY



Table of Contents

6 ACLU’s Voter The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the only
Campaign national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African Ameri-
Highlights can life, history, and culture.

8 Democracy Lost 12 Justice for
10 Denver B. Parker Wilford D. Wright

Depletion of 14 Legal Turmoil
Democrocy 16 Black Students’

Summit

18 My Identity,
My Choice!

20 Why We Vote
22 Writing Black

History at the
Zwaanendael

24 NASCAR and
its Diversity

Our unity is our strength, and our diversity is

“our power.
” -Kamala Harris

Black Voices | Vol. 4 | Aug 2022 3

Introduction Editorial Board

I write this letter in the midst of the January 6 hearings and the EDITORS:
devastation of the Supreme Court Roe v Wade decision. It is hard not to Charlotte King,
surrender to despair as our country regresses, knowing that with each right Founder and Chair of SDARJ
and freedom taken away, others will follow, our fragile democracy already Sara Ford, Editor-in-Chief
on the brink of collapse. And we know, too, the devastating consequences Joseph Lawson,
each stripping away of a right is going to have for the Black and brown Managing Editor
and disenfranchised communities, as well as for many others. As Tom Irvine
writes in his article “Legal Turmoil,” we have become a 50-50 nation, a EDITORS-AT-LARGE:
situation that occurred only once before — with enslavement and the turmoil Rev. Dania Griffin
it caused that ultimately resulted in the Civil War. Esthelda Parker Selby
Diaz Bonville
As much as it would be easy to become overwhelmed by a sense of
helplessness, we must not. Although nothing can compare to the original Black Voices is a quarterly (Febru-
sin of our country, it becomes clearer each day that Black, brown, women, ary, May, August, November) pub-
non-Christian, LGBTQ+, immigrants, the majority of our country, in fact, share lication of the Southern Delaware
the brand of “the Other.” We are all becoming targets of the minority in Alliance for Racial Justice. Black
power. And the power mongers are clever enough to create lies and stories Voices articles may be copied for
aimed at provoking us to go after one another, to see each other as the personal use, but proper notice
enemy rather than the power mongers themselves. They are brilliant at this of copyright and credit to Black
tactic. They have to be, because if they weren’t, they would be faced with Voices must appear on all copies
a tsunami of defiance, a calvary of united people, all committed to justice, made. The views expressed do not
equity and the power and splendor of diversity and democracy. necessarily represent positions of
SDARJ.
Those of us who spent some time at the Juneteenth celebrations these
last couple of weeks had a chance to glimpse that unity. People of all colors, The Editorial Staff is committed
religious persuasions, men, women, he, she and they’s, gay and straight — to producing a publication that
we were all there together, milling around, eating fabulous food, listening to is a truthful learning opportunity
great music, joining groups, chatting with people we hadn’t met, celebrating for the entire community. All are
together. What magnificent and hopeful events these celebrations were! invited to lend their voices via
letters to the editor, commentaries
In his article “My Identity, My Choice,” Dania Griffin speaks to the power and articles of interest. Submissions
each of us has to say “NO!” to identities and labels other people choose to are reviewed by the editorial board
give us. Just as each of us has the power to define ourselves, so we as a and may be edited for brevity and
collective — all of us who are seen as “the Other,” less than, not worthy of clarification. We regret we cannot
living our lives to our fullest potentials — have the power to say “NO!” The return any unsolicited articles,
power mongers spin their lies over and over again until they are perceived as photos or other materials.
truth. We must speak the truth over and over again until the truth reigns as
the reality it is. Contact us at:
[email protected]
Our power resides in our shared commitment to truth and justice. It
resides in the very enormity of our majority. We can and must choose to Your donation to the Southern
stand together as that unified body. And we must act, not add to their Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice
triumph with our tears. is important to us. Please scan to
donate or send your
Our power starts by each of us voting in every single election, local, state, donation by mail:
and national, and helping the disenfranchised register, get to the polls and
vote. Moreover, no matter the party, we must vote against any and every Southern Delaware Alliance for
politician who seeks to limit the rights and freedoms of others. Racial Justice (SDARJ)
P.O. Box 306
But voting is a singular act, and our power lies in constant, determined Lewes, Delaware 19958
action. Our power lies in joining disenfranchised groups, standing with
them and working with them and for them. Our power lies in economic Creative Direction
boycotting, as Charlotte King has suggested, in non-violent sit-ins and Tara Marks
demonstrations, as Martin Luther King taught us, in civil disobedience. Our
power lies in networking, speaking up and out, in speaking truth.

Our power lies in acting up, joining up, and channeling our collective
anger and helplessness into a collective, resounding affirmation: “WE the
people stand together, and together WE the people will defend our
democracy against authoritarians, guard it and nurture it and, together,
make it grow.”

SARA FORD Black Voices | Vol. 4 | Aug 2022
Editor-in-Chief, Lewes, DE

Are you liking Black Voices? Do you want to hear more? Our thanks to
Matt Haley Trust
Black Voices is a quarterly independent newsmagazine funded by
SDARJ, its supporters and some grant money. These funds help to pay The Southern Delaware Alliance
cost of layout, printing and distribution. Please help us continue with for Racial Justice extends their
and grow this publication dedicated to publishing news and viewpoints deepest appreciation to the
of Black citizens. Here is how you can help: Matt Haley Trust for its generous
grant that has helped us grow
Donate: Black Voices is currently offered to its readers without a paid and expand the readership of
subscription. However, we would deeply appreciate donations. If you Black Voices. Thank you also to
wish to donate to Black Voices, please go sdarj.org website, find the Patricia Riviera, owner of Hook
donation button and click to donate. PR and Marketing, who serves as
our liaison to the Trust.
Advertise: Black Voices will begin to accept advertising in our August/
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Voices, scholarship, general administration etc.

Black Voices | Vol. 4 | Aug 2022 5

ACLU’s Voter Campaign Highlights Key
Issues on the Ballot for 2022 Elections

By Meera Devotta, ACLU-DE Voter Campaign Manager

is eligible to vote has the resources and information
they need to vote with confidence.
The campaign focuses on three target areas:

You may have heard folks say that there’s no such Voter Education
thing as an “off-year” election. Every election, from
school board to midterm to presidential, has direct We want to diversify and expand what voter educa-
implications for our communities. This election sea- tion looks like. Different communities have different
son is no different. From police reform to reproductive experiences with voting, and groups who have been
freedom, the issues that you care about are on the historically disenfranchised and systemically discour-
ballot in 2022, and every Delaware State House and aged from voting should see themselves reflected in
Senate seat is up for election. The fight for many of our voter education. By ensuring that all voters are aware
civil liberties hinges on the outcome of these elections. of the different methods of voting available to them –
Every vote counts. early in-person, in-person on Election Day, or by mail,
as well as newly introduced processes like same-day
The ACLU of Delaware understands that voting can registration – we aim to get as many Delawareans to
be a complicated process, and that Delaware is not the polls as possible in the way that is most convenient
immune from the nationwide attack on voting rights. and accessible for them. We are constantly advocating
That’s why we launched the ACLU Voter Campaign. This for and educating Delaware voters on best practices
campaign fights to ensure that every Delawarean who and policies that increase turnout among groups who
face the most barriers to voting, like communities of
color, low-income voters, and voters who move around
a lot – particularly young voters and voters experienc-
ing homelessness.

Voter Engagement

Accessible information and avenues for engagement
will provide Delaware voters with the tools to cast their
ballots confidently and without unnecessary barriers.
We are taking steps toward combating voter suppres-
sion in Delaware to increase voter participation in the
2022 elections.

One of the largest populations of people prevented
from engaging in elections are individuals in prison.
Ending felony disenfranchisement and allowing eligible
incarcerated voters to cast ballots remain a campaign
priority. In Delaware, thousands of these justice-in-
volved people are disenfranchised every election. Many
more are disenfranchised not because they are barred

For More Info:

Learn more about how you can get involved with Voter Campaign

efforts ahead of the 2022 elections by visiting VoteDelaware.org.

6 Black Voices | Vol. 4 | Aug 2022

People to Know, Things to See

from voting, but because the rules and regulations
around voting eligibility are confusing and cumber-
some. Our campaign is actively working to dismantle
barriers to prison voting and support the expansion of
voting eligibility for those with felony convictions.

Elections and Candidate Information DAN COOK PHOTOS

Through our voter education website, VoteDelaware. Georgetown Police Chief Ralph Holm reaches out and shares a moment with Karter
org, we’re compiling everything Delaware voters Jones Akins, 6, during the Sussex County Community Day of Peace and Healing.
need to know to make their plan to vote each Elec- Karter’s father, Jeffrey L. Akins Jr., was murdered Aug. 8, 2020 in Seaford.
tion Day. In addition to information on registration,
dates, deadlines, alternative methods of voting, and
voter assistance, VoteDelaware.org helps Dela-
ware voters learn about our priority issue platforms:
Education Equity, Immigrants’ Rights, Reproductive
Freedom, Smart Justice, and Voting Rights. VoteDel-
aware.org also features our 2022 Candidate Ques-
tionnaire, designed to help voters find out where
their candidates stand on the issues they care about.

Election integrity is not a measure of how many bar-
riers voters must overcome to reach the ballot box.
Depriving eligible voters of the resources and infor-
mation they need to make informed decisions does
not equate to a safer or more secure election.

Our democracy is stronger and more sustainable
when voting is easy, encouraged, and expanded. The
ACLU Voter Campaign is dedicated to advocating for
solutions that allow every eligible Delaware voter an
accessible and safe way to engage in the voting pro-
cess. The freedom to vote will always be the funda-
mental right upon which all our civil liberties rest.

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT Cape grad Vaughn Hopkins is the co-director for the Verizon Innovative Learning
STEM Achievers program at Delaware State University. Verizon has launched an
Meera Devotta engaging, hands-on program developed to enrich learning through design thinking,
3D printing, augmented reality, social entrepreneurship and mentorship for middle
Meera joined the ACLU-DE team as the Voter Campaign school students that is facilitated by Delaware State University and other postsec-
Manager in March 2022. Born and raised in Delaware, she ondary institutions throughout the country.
graduated from the George Washington University. She
spent time teaching in Ecuador, Croatia, and Bosnia and
Herzegovina before teaching English for three years in Ma-
drid, Spain. Meera is excited to return home and begin her
work creating a voter education curriculum and developing
voter engagement practices that actively work to expand
access to the ballot in Delaware.

Meera lives in Hockessin, DE.

Black Voices | Vol. 4 | Aug 2022 7

Democracy Lost

By Peter Schott

I was fortunate to have worked as an aide in the US philosophy. Far right groups and legislatures create
House of Representatives’ Committee on Education false enemies, like Antifa, BLM, Critical Race Theory
and Labor for 25 years beginning in 1970. I was there and other organizations and ideas that address the
for passage of monumental legislation like the Amer- needs and rights of those who have been left out.
icans with Disabilities Act, pension reforms, worker Even before the Supreme Court leak about the end
protections, minimum wage increases, and student of Roe v Wade, state legislatures were creating laws,
loan programs, to name but a few. signed by governors, banning women’s right to choose.
The right to love whomever you want is once again in
When I worked there, although there were philosoph- jeopardy. We are asked not to talk about race issues
ical differences between the political parties, there and are bombarded with phrases like “Cancel Culture”
was always room for compromise; but in 1995, things when we try to remind people of our sordid past. We
changed when Newt Gingrich gave us the Contract are restricting people’s voting rights. All these new,
with America (we called it a Contract on Americans). restrictive regulations are aimed at minority groups,
Even before that, however, I had noticed the begin- groups other than white, male and Christian. It is
ning of an erosion of democratic principles. almost like Germany in the 1930’s, when my grand-
parents and other members of my family were killed
This trend started with enormous tax cuts that gave during the Holocaust.
more power to the elite. Then there was the “word
smithing” that attacked those who were other than The comity I felt when I worked for Congress is now
rich and white, for example calling the 30-year-old gone. According to the anti-democratic, far right, you
Cadillacs Black people drove to get groceries “Wel- are either with them or you are a Socialist. There is no
fare Cadillacs.” compromise; there is no democracy.

We began turning into a “corporatocracy” as corpo-
rate America got control of the politicians and the
airwaves, and ultimately bombarded the public with
sound bites. Repeating words and phrases is a central
tactic of authoritarian nations; they know well that
the more you repeat something, the more people
begin to believe it.

With “Citizens United,” the Supreme Court gave AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT
companies and mega-donors free range for donating
to campaigns so that elected officials would be more Peter Schott
inclined to support their agendas and not pay heed
to their constituents. Companies and elected officials Peter worked as a social worker and teacher in New York
kept wages low so workers needed three jobs to sur- City before moving to Washington where he was a staff
vive and had no time to fight back, further weakening assistant at the US House of Representatives. He has been
democracy. a social activist all his life as a long time Board member of
Americans for Democratic Action and founder of National
It took a demagogue, however, to take our weak- Stonewall Democrats and its Delaware affiliate.
ened democracy to the point where government has
been made into the enemy not to be trusted. Now Peter lives in Rehoboth Beach, DE.
anti-democratic groups and legislators have started
banning books that do not follow a certain political

8 Black Voices | Vol. 4 | Aug 2022

People to Know, Things to See

Pathways to Success held its Fay Blake, founder and executive director of Graduate Zeniah Holland sings “Rise Up.”
second annual graduation and Pathways to Success, presents a diploma and
cord presentation ceremony cord to Shareef Jones of Sussex Tech. Guest speaker Shamaya Young, a
May 12 at Crossroad Communi- Pathways to Success graduate, has
ty Church, where more than 80 created Pathways Goes to College
graduates from Milford, Seaford, at Delaware State University.
Cape Henlopen and Sussex Tech
were given a cord to wear at their
school commencement exercises
and their diploma from Pathways
to Success.

The Pathways to Success mis-
sion is to prepare youth, adults
and their families for successful
lives. The program utilizes inno-
vative and creative approaches in
mentoring and education to help
individuals develop into healthy,
productive, contributing and
responsible citizens. Working in
service to the at-risk communities
in a spirit of offering hope through
empowerment, education and
information, Pathways to Success
also strives be a catalyst to assist
in the elimination of housing dis-
crimination.

For More Info:

pathways-2-success.org

Good Read 9

Nightcrawling is a painful book to read. It is hard to believe
that a book so poignant, tragic, beautiful and poetic is writ-
ten by a 19-year-old and has already become an Oprah Book
Club choice.

Nightcrawling is told through the voice of 17-year-old Ki-
ara, a high school dropout who lives in Oakland, CA and who
struggles to make rent, befriend Trevor, a 9-year-old a boy,
whose life is as desperate as hers, and simply survive. Eventu-
ally, she becomes entangled in a scandal involving the Oak-
land police. The book is an extraordinary look into the trage-
dy of poverty, the spiral downward and phenomenal courage.
Her story is based on a true incident that happened in Oak-
land. Yet Mottley doesn’t retell the incident so much as live it,
always through the eyes of Kiara and always in the power of
Kiara’s voice.

Black Voices | Vol. 4 | Aug 2022

Denver B.
Parker:

A Quiet Soul for
Productive Action
in Sussex County

By Estelle (Stell) Selby Parker

To know the complete history of Sussex County is to Denver’s parents believed that he had to be as edu-
know about its families and their contributions to their cated as possible, so they worked to pay for his educa-
communities and beyond. Denver Burton Parker was one tion in Dover, Delaware. Four years after graduating
of the unsung hero’s who played a significant role in the from high school, he received his college degree in Edu-
field of Education at a time when schools were transi- cation from Delaware State College. Then, he was off to
tioning from being segregated to integrated. serve his country in World War II, receiving an honorable
discharge at the end of his service. Later, he married
Denver was born in 1923 in the historic town of Lewes, and started his family, remaining in Lewes until he was
Delaware. His hard-working African American par- able to purchase a home of his own in Milton.
ents were well aware of their historical background as
descendants from slaves. His parents were Hilda M. Denver started his career in the early 1950’s as a
Lockwood Parker and George Parker, both of whom had teacher in Laurel in the Paul Laurence Dunbar Elementa-
relatives who knew their rich family heritage and did ry and Jr High School. It wasn’t long before he became
their best to tell their oral histories to each generation. known as an excellent teacher and leader. As steps
started to be taken toward integration, Denver, along
Denver, the oldest in a family of four children, learned with interested white leaders, met secretly to work on a
early that life was not to be taken for granted, and so strategic plan to integrate Sussex County Schools with-
he took on small jobs to help his family survive in the era out the negative responses that had occurred in Milford
of Jim Crow laws and inequality for African Americans. and Wilmington. Even though there was resistance at
In Lewes, people had to attend church at least two to first, Denver and his leadership team helped create a
three times a week and the services were very lengthy. smoother than expected transition from segregated to
However, that spiritual experience was an important part integrated schools in Sussex County.
of their childhood and adulthood, fostering a sense of
community and a strong faith. St. George’s AME Church Because he had proven that he was an excellent
on Park Avenue and St. Paul’s United Methodist on 4th teacher, leader and community activist, Denver gained
Street, recently named after Rev. Martin Luther King, much respect in Sussex County and eventually became
were the two churches that served the African American
families before Ship Carpenter Square was established.

Despite the challenges of segregation that existed
in Lewes and throughout the state and country, Denver
was able to move forward. His early education was in
the Dupont Avenue School on Dupont Avenue in Lewes.
(Now a part of the Cape Henlopen School District) The
school went up to grade 8 and then, if parents could
afford to pay, students had a choice to attend Delaware
State High School for the Colored in Dover, Delaware or
Howard High School in Wilmington, Delaware.

10 Black Voices | Vol. 4 | Aug 2022

the first President of Color to serve for Depletion of Democracy
the Sussex County Teacher Associa-
tion. Eventually, these county Teacher Between the years of 1892 and 1954, over 12 million
Associations merged to become the
Delaware State Education Association immigrants flooded the US in hopes of a fresh
(DSEA).
start. Desperate to escape the persecution, politi-
During the 1960’s – 1980’s, Denver’s
career expanded. He became the first cal oppression and poverty in their native country,
African American Human Relations
Administrator in Sussex County in the they saw democracy in the US as the only key to
Seaford School District and one of
a very few African American District salvation. By definition, democracy is a govern-
Level Administrators in Sussex County,
retiring as a Title l Administrator in the ment by the people, the rule of the majority. Yet,
Seaford School District.
52% of American citizens disagree with the Su- AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT
Coming from a strong and respect- preme Court’s historic overturning of Roe v. Wade
ed African American Lewes family, after half a century of its being in place. As some Tia Jarvis
to serving in the military, and then revel in the overturn, others are hurt, many are
becoming a respected teacher, activist distraught, and the majority detests this decision. Tia Jarvis is a recent grad-
and leader, who helped eliminate It has sparked a serious erosion of the democratic uate from Cape Henlopen
segregation in Sussex County Public High School in Lewes, Del-
schools, Denver B. Parker is an edu-
cator never to be forgotten in Sussex America we once knew, leading to more and more aware. In the fall she plans
County or Delaware History.
questions like “Is democracy failing, tilting toward to study Business Admin-
Note: The late Denver B. Parker was the
father of Esthelda “Stell” Parker Selby autocracy and putting our system at risk?” istration at the wonderful

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT Growing up I was never interested in anything Delaware State University,
that had to do with history, rights, politics, or gov- concentrating primarily on
Esthelda (Stell) Selby Parker ernment. I didn’t see why it mattered. In addition, management and marketing.
everything I heard on the news seemed too big or Although she is a future
Stell is a native of Sussex County, was almost too far-fetched to ever affect me. So, like business major, she has a
educated in Delaware’s segregated public many people, I turned a blind eye, naive to the fiery passion for the advo-
school system and graduated from Delaware ever changing world around me. That is, until the cacy of racial justice.
State College/University and the University morning of June 24th, when I read the decision
of Delaware. A retired teacher, administrator
and Board member and President of the Cape that shocked the world and made my jaw drop to Tia lives in Milton, DE.
Henlopen School District, she also served as
Councilwoman and Vice Mayor on the Milton the floor.
Town Council. Currently, she is a member of
DSU Trustee Board and is also running for I am still in the process of trying to understand
State Representative in her district.
how such a powerhouse nation as ours could get to this point. I find myself
Esthelda lives in Milton, DE.
repeatedly asking the same questions over and over: “Where does this leave

me?” “Where does this leave people who look like me?” “Where does this

leave women?” “Where does this leave young teen girls everywhere?” If we

fail to shed light upon these challenging topics, our people will continue to

fall victim to decisions laid before us that we are expected to blindly follow.

According to the National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black

Community, for every Black woman who reports sexual assault, at least 15 do

not. Statistics like these will only rise when basic democratic rights continue to

be stripped. Before recent events, I would ponder my future—the goals, hopes,

dreams, successes I see for myself and other women who look like me. Now, I

am filled with concern, in dread of what may happen if someone’s selfishness

or irresponsibility is forced upon another, if our government leaves millions of

women in this same circumstance with no other option but to proceed.

It is only fair to wonder what democratic right will be taken next.

Although this kind of concern has become a tenet in millions of people’s

heads, it should not stop progress; it should not stop movement. It will not

stop positive change. Indeed, despite this confusing time, I, as a young Black

woman, will continue to keep my goals alive, working my way to the top per-

centage of executive positions in America and representing young ladies of

color everywhere.

Regardless of barriers, we must rewrite the story, because our time is now.

Black Voices | Vol. 4 | Aug 2022 11

Justice
for
Wilford
D. Wright

Case for Modern
Day Lynching in
Milton, DE

By Gloria L. Ho rights movement. It seems a law like community leaders working towards
this would be common-sense, but it integration.
This year, President Joe Biden took 100 years and 200 failed at-
signed the Emmett Till Anti-lynch- tempts by US lawmakers to pass the Recently, I learned of the story of
ing Act that classifies lynching as a anti-lynching legislation. Wilford Wright, a Black farmhand,
federal hate crime. The bill is named and his 1951 killing by a member of
for the Black youth who was tortured The past and present horror and a white mob in Milton. Along with
and murdered in 1955 Mississippi injustices of these actions feel far friends Christy Taylor and Zeena
and whose death sparked a civil removed from the quiet, historic, Swier, I spoke with a local Milton
and quaint town of Milton, Dela- resident, whose unsettled mem-
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT ware. Milton, founded in 1763 as ories had recently intruded on his
the Head of the Broadkiln, is an thoughts. He remembered as a teen-
Gloria Ho historical shipbuilding town known ager seeing Wilford and his brother
for its agriculture, canning indus- riding into town on new bicycles, and
Gloria Ho is a native Delawarean and a try, lumber mills, and shell button then went on to tell us horrendous
licensed clinical social worker of 24 years. making. It has also served as home stories he’d heardTwhe NheiwlseJougrnarlo(Wwilmiinngtgon,upDelaware) · 13 Sep 1
She is currently a School Social Worker in to five Delaware governors. It’s hard
Cape Henlopen School District and an Exec- to fathom this town would be where Downlo
utive Board Member of the Delaware State an unknown, modern-day lynching
Education Association. She sits on various could take place.
committees supporting diversity, equity, and
inclusion. She enjoys combining do coffee Yet, as recently as the 1950’s, Jim
her love of writing and research with her Crow was alive and well in Milton.
passion for racial and social justice issues. Locals often swam at the segregat-
ed pond, flanked by a Black camp
Gloria lives in Georgetown, DE. and white camp. In 1951, separate
but “equal” schools wouldn’t be
integrated for another 10 years. In
Sussex County, integration took even
longer. The merger of the all-ne-
gro Slaughter Neck-Milton School
District with white Milton School
District 8 didn’t happen until 1965.
In 1957, cross burnings were used in
Milton as fear tactics against Black

The News Journal (Wilm.DE) pg. 35 13 Sept. 1951 Thursday
12 Black Voices | Vol. 4 | AClipupegd B2y:022

Liling1
Fri, May 28, 2021

about Wilford’s death and the events was once again pursued by George- was arraigned on a charge of man-
surrounding it. His story prompt- town state police and a civilian mob slaughter and placed under $500
ed my own curiosity, and I decided who chased the fleeing Wilford into bail for action of the grand jury. The
to do some research to determine nearby cornfields. Eventually, a local, Attorney General at the time, H.
how much of his story was accurate, white resident, part of the civilian Albert Young, criticized the need for
especially as there has never been a mob, spotted Wilford running by the state police enlisting civilian aid and
documented account of a lynching railroad tracks. When Wilford didn’t called the mob “trigger-happy posse
occurring in Sussex County. Delaware halt, the resident shot him several men.” Young hoped Sussex County
has only one Equal Justice Initiative times with a .22 rifle, wounding him would allow his office to investigate
(EJI) documented lynching, the 1903 through his leg, arm, and back. One the cause and circumstances sur-
George White lynching in Wilmington. can only imagine the sheer terror rounding Wright’s death. However, in
I researched archives, newspapers, Wilford must have felt while running October the grand jury deliberated
and census bureau records to devel- for his life. five hours and allowed the killer to
op a timeline of Wilford’s killing. go free.
Police took the injured Wilford to
Wilford was born January 1912 to nearby Beebe hospital, where a state Upon my inspection of Wilford’s
Walter Wright and Essie Watson in trooper was stationed to watch him. death certificate, I noticed a number
Milton. He had an older sister, Edith, The shooter was held on a technical of questionable items. First, several
and three younger siblings Walter, charge of assault and battery, pend- different people completed the cer-
Clara, and Blanch. Sometime be- ing the outcome of Wilford’s injury. tificate. Second, items were erased,
tween the 1920s and 30s, Wilford Wilford was later released from Bee- crossed out, or altogether changed.
and Walter, still children, went to live be and sent to the Delaware Colony The certificate was also filed out-
and work on the farm of Paul and at Stockley for observation. Howev- side the 72-hour window from time
Lena Vincent. In 1930, Wilford was er, several days later, Wilford was of death. Finally, it was originally
approximately aged 18, Walter, 16. returned to Beebe where he died. listed as a homicidal attempt, but
The census describes the brothers as According to the coroner, the cause then changed to an accident. We
farm hands or hired help, living with of death was pneumonia aggravated may never know the circumstanc-
the Vincent’s. The Milton resident I by shock from the gunshot wounds. es leading to Wilford’s murder and
spoke with remembers the brothers
were often well-dressed, well man- Following an inquest, the shooter Continued on Page 15 ➜
nered, and spoke very little, if at all.

There is little information about
the boys’ growing up, why they were
sent to live with the Vincent’s at a
young age, and what their lives were
1951, Thu · Plaigkee35 working on the farm. In August
oaded on of 1950,May 28, 2021 however, the first of several
newspaper accounts reported that
Wilford was accused of grabbing a
local housewife and peeping through
cottage windows. He hid in the
Broadkill swampland to escape the
Georgetown state police, a mob of
50 local residents, and two private
search planes, all chasing after him.
The hunt, lasting 24 hours and span-
ning 5 miles, ended with Wilford be-
ing sent to Sussex County prison but
soon released back to the Vincent’s.

Nothing further is reported until
a year later in 1951 when Wilford
is shot and killed. Wilford, dubbed
in the newspapers as the “Nature
Boy,” was reported to be cavorting
in the Milton area unclothed and

Black Voices | Vol. 4 | Aug 2022 13

Legal Turmoil: Crime In Half
The States, Legal In The Other Half

A History Lesson our young country resulted in contin- He was returned to Virginia.
ual tension. An event in 1854 illus- Why don’t we remember an event
By Tom Irvine , Chair of the trates the trauma resulting from this
History Committee of the SDARJ 50-50 legal divide. as huge as the trial and rendition of
Rev. Anthony Burns? In Justice De-
What will America look like when Rev. Anthony Burns was enslaved in ferred, professors Burton and Derfner
something is a serious crime in about Virginia. Rev. Burns stowed away on a suggest that the half-slave, half-free
50% of the states and legal in about ship to Boston and freedom. He said, era of slavery “has been virtually
50%? It has almost never happened. “God made me a man – not a slave.” erased from public memory by a form
of national amnesia.” Trauma can
This result flows from the Supreme His “owner” had him arrested cause such a strain of amnesia.
Court’s abortion ruling. in Boston. A secret federal court
trial was attempted. Word got out. As a result of the Supreme Court’s
A core consideration is who When Rev. Burns was “convicted” decision, we are faced with circum-
decides issues that are intensely per- and ordered returned to Virginia, stances that can have traumatic
sonal? The people or Boston exploded. The courthouse consequences for countless women
the government? Do and for the country. Can a prose-
shifting majorities in was stormed. Dozens were inside
the Congress and cutor in a state
50 legislatures the courthouse guarding Rev. Burns. where abortion
decide or do in- One was killed, and there were many is illegal indict
dividuals decide arrests. a pregnant
for themselves? woman and
Which issues? Rev. Burns needed to be moved to those assisting
a federal ship waiting in the harbor to
What about take him back to Virginia. 2,000 fed- her for violating
the Declaration eral troops were mobilized, along with its laws by seeking
of Indepen- U.S. Marshalls and a deputized posse! that medical service
dence’s decla- A reported 50,000 people lined the in a state where it is
ration of “un- route from the courthouse to the har- legal? Or, for having
alienable Rights” bor, protesting Rev. Burns rendition. a procedure in an-
of “Life, liberty, other state? Can that
and the pursuit of prosecutor indict the
Happiness?” And, the people and organizations
Constitution’s protections in the other state where
of any person’s “liberty” and res- abortion is legal for helping
ervation of rights “to the people?” a pregnant woman? Will
that other state extradite,
History contains an example of a la the fugitive slave
what happened in such a 50-50 laws? If a state declares
America: slavery. life starts at fertilization,
as the Supreme Court’s opinion
The 1787 Constitution contained may allow, will miscarriages be inves-
the fugitive slave clause that re- tigated as possible crimes? Count on
quired a person enslaved under the some elected prosecutors to do that.
laws of one state be returned if the What if a Delaware hospital agrees
person escaped to another state. En- to treat a pregnant woman transport-
actment of the Fugitive Slave Acts of ed to Delaware from a state with no
1793 and 1850 effectively compelled exception for an abortion to save the
non-slave states to participate in woman’s life? Incest? Rape? Can that
slavery by capturing and returning hospital, its staff, doctors, and nurses
someone like Harriet Tubman to her be indicted by the other state? After
original slave state. all, the Full Faith and Credit and ex-

Existence of enslaved people in

14 Black Voices | Vol. 4 | Aug 2022

“The import of the same acts being serious Continued from Page 13 ➜
crimes in some states and legal in others
cannot be understated. The decades of potential whether it can be classified as a
legal and political strife are apparent. It is the modern-day lynching, but we know
”experience of slavery redux. a young man’s life was unjustly cut
tradition clauses of the Constitution some clues and cautions about pos- short and his killer was set free.
require states to honor other states’ sible consequences of a 50-50 split.
laws, subject to Congress’ limited When federal officials charged The Equal Justice Initiative (EJI)
ability to regulate. and brought Boston rioters to trial, defines racial terror lynching as a
juries acquitted them, and the violent and public act of torture that
The import of the same acts prosecutors gave up. Massachu- traumatized Blacks and was largely
being serious crimes in some states setts passed laws which attempted tolerated by state and federal offi-
and legal in others cannot be under- to make the Fugitive Slave Act of cials. Thousands were shielded from
stated. The decades of potential le- 1850 unenforceable in that state. arrest and prosecution. According
gal and political strife are apparent. Trust in the courts and legal system to the NAACP, these public killings
It is the experience of slavery redux. plummeted. happened to individuals who had not
received due process and were done
Can the protection of any The passions of the times result- under the pretext of justice. Common
person’s “liberty” around intensely ed in enormous rallies and pro- accusations against Blacks includ-
personal matters be altered by a pelled the abolitionist movement’s ed perceived sexual transgressions
majority of any group, be it nine demands that the laws protect all. against white women, robbery, and
people, a state, or the country? murder. According to EJI, of all lynch-
Six years later, the Civil War. ings committed after 1900, only 1%
The case of Rev. Burns offers us resulted in a lyncher being convicted
of a criminal offense of any kind.
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT
Wilford’s story needs to be told.
Tom Irvine Our hope is that someone who might
remember more or who has a con-
Tom is the Chair of the History Committee of the Southern nection to the Wright family or the
Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice. He is a retired trial lawyer– Vincent family will continue to tell
constitutional, municipal and election law. his story. Confronting our nation’s
horrific past continues to be a sub-
Tom Lives in Lewes, DE. ject of contention. At a time when
systemic racism, police brutality, and
We are excited to be partnering with United over-policing of Black neighborhoods
Way of Delaware and Delaware Racial Justice continue to exist, we must not only
Collaborative, and we thank them for their do better, but we must hold those
generous contribution to Black Voices. who don’t accountable. EJI believes
truth and justice can be had only
when we confront our own history of
racial injustices.

Black Voices | Vol. 4 | Aug 2022 15

Black Uplifting
Students’
Summit

Uplifting Black Students’ Voices

In The Fight Against Racism

With the inaugural Black Student Summit, The Pictured: Aa’Khai Hollis (far left), Kenny Norwood (third from right) and fello
Delaware Racial Justice Collaborative envisioned
cultivating the talents of young Black students that students knew how to express their concerns and
to combat racism and discrimination within what avenues they could take to improve their commu-
schools. These students would become the next nities. We centered our workshops, keynote speaker, and
pillars of our communities, fighting for equality in student-led panel around this theme to give students the
whatever path they choose. To realize this vision, tools necessary for change.
we needed a team committed to the youth and
ready for the months of extensive planning. Students took time out of their Mondays every week,
even after the event, to plan the summit and what is to
Our group was teeming with successful adults coming follow after. Allocating that time showed how committed
from the United Way of Delaware, the Delaware Depart- the students were. Planning the summit was a challenge
ment of Education, and even a few with their own person- due to so many great minds being in one space together,
al brands. But adults were not the only planners. Young but ultimately a choice was made to keep going. This
Black students paving the way for positive change joined work always involved laughing and off-topic conversa-
the committee ready to take up the mantle. Using the tions. But it was those off-topic conversations that helped
Delaware Racial Justice Consortium’s (DRJC) previous- the planning committee form a family-like bond in such
ly formed connections as well as the students’ personal a short period of time. The zoom calls weren’t always
connections, we were able to recruit several students to strictly business; we wanted to find joy in planning, and
make the Summit happen. Just a few schools that these the laughs helped us to do just that.
students attended include Tatnall, St. George’s, and
Wilmington Friends.

This year’s Summit theme was uplifting Black students’
voices in the fight against racism. We wanted to ensure

State Representative, Madinah Anton-Wilson (pictured center), of Delaware’s 26th District, speaking at the summit.

16 Black Voices | Vol. 4 | Aug 2022

Black Students’ Voices
in the Fight Against Racism

ow summit attendees. Aa’Khai Hollis recently
graduated from St.
The Black Student Summit wasn’t George’s VoTech High
meant to be just for show; it was School and will attend
meant to convey unity and compas- Bowie State University
sion. Students from across the state in the fall.
of Delaware woke up early on a Sat-
urday to come and learn how to be Kenny Norwood
better leaders in their communities. recently graduated
It’s these steps that make for a big from Wilmington
step in the right direction of change, Friends School and will
and the Black Student Summit put attend Trinity College
all those great minds in one space to in the fall.
network, laugh, and gain wisdom.
There was a large student turnout at the
The Summit was wildly success- summit which took place at the Chase
ful! We thank all students and adults who attended and our sponsors, Fieldhouse in Wilmington, DE.
as you all made our vision reality. Student turnout was amazing, and
students not only enjoyed themselves but learned much about raising
their voices for change. To better understand the students’ opinion
on the Summit, we sent out a survey for feedback. Students loved the
dancing group we hosted as well as the workshops. They would have
liked to have more opportunities to network with their peers and a
conference location closer to Middletown or Dover, as it was a long
drive from down state. We will take all feedback to help us improve
our Summit next year.

We want anyone who is concerned about change to know that this
is only the beginning. The work must not stop here. To everyone who
wasn’t able to attend this years summit, there will be more to come.
Continue striving for change with actions that stem from and are
grounded in a clear sense of purpose. That clear sense of purpose will
strengthen your motivation and determination, especially in moments of
discouragement. Believe that you have a system around you and that
you can accomplish all things you set your mind to. See you next year!

For More Info:

Visit www.uwde.org/2022/03/delaware-black-student-summit

Black Voices | Vol. 4 | Aug 2022 17

My Identity,
My Choice!

Dania Griffin

I’ve worn many hats. I have been an honor student
and a juvenile delinquent. I have been “Who’s Who
in ACU” and “tier man” on 1-West. I have been the
chosen one and the one deservedly left behind. I
have been a good father and a bad father. I have
been a good husband and bad. Good employee and
bad. Good pastor and bad. Hero and villain. Saint
and sinner. Lost and found. In my life I have been the
personification of the duality of human nature. And I
own all of that.

But in all of my many life experiences—in all I’ve seen
and done—there’s one thing I’ve never been. I have
never been nor have I met an “n”.

Sticks and Stones gance and self-loathing. It reveals the heart of a peo-
ple desperately trying to justify its actions. It creates
Children will often call each other names. Sometimes, superiority where there is none.
to deflect the intended harm, the targeted child will
respond, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but But perception unfettered can become reality and
names will never hurt me!” That response is both true eventually, the norm. For many, “n” is reality. Ev-
and false. It’s true that no physical harm would result erybody gets it. And many accept it. Moreover, once
from the verbal assault. But emotionally, spiritually established, there is no longer a need to explain it. It
and psychically, the harm can be extensive and even is the cultural shorthand for diminished, less than, not
permanent. human.

Race Is An Illusion IT FAILED!

This is particularly true in race-based name calling. In Fortunately, I’m glad to report that even after 400
“Holding the Line: Race, Racism, And American Foreign years of trying, this effort at normalizing the illusion
Policy…” (2005), George White Jr. says that “’race’ is didn’t work. Oh, I’m not saying that those efforts
not a biological construct that reflects innate differ- haven’t had some serious impact: broken families; lost
ences, but a social construct that precisely captures cultural connections; an inability to naturally transfer
categories and classification [that] serve to justify co- cultural information (mores and folkways); the collec-
lonialism, white supremacy, slavery, exploitation, and tive PTSD that resulted from chattel slavery and all of
official forms of discrimination.” its concomitant abuses and indignations; the multi-
generational struggle for not just civil rights but, more
“Race” is a construction. An illusion. It exists as a important, human rights. All these and more. Yes,
tool of those who intend to divide and conquer for the they’ve taken their toll.
sole purpose of maintaining societal advantages, real
or imagined. It’s all about money, power and prestige. And yet, despite this 400 year commitment to
creating trauma and tribulation, despite 400 years of
The “n” Construction systemic oppression and suppression, it didn’t work!

The construction “n” is a direct outgrowth of the “race” Our humanity is well-established and evident. In
construction. It, too, is an illusion. To maintain power, fact, I would argue that in light of the adversities we’ve
those in power designate the caste, status, and even
the humanness of another individual or group. “n” is
the sum-total of that designation. It reflects arro-

18 Black Voices | Vol. 4 | Aug 2022

overcome, it has been definitively confirmed. Along the worry about it.” But I never heard “n”.
way we’ve made some good choices and some bad. But I saw skin tones from light bright and almost white
in the end, through Jim Crow, Slave Codes, Black Codes,
Civil Rights, even in this politically and socially hateful to jet black; straight to curly to kinky hair; men, women
environment, we’ve adapted. And we’ve improvised. (yes, women), boys and girls; black, white (yes, white)
and brown; Christians, Muslims, Jews and others; from
We never stopped insisting that we be considered as the barely educated to those with Ph.D.’s; from the very
equal partners in the full realization of our individual and wealthy to the homeless; and, no doubt, the full spectrum
collective human potential. We never stopped affirming of gender identifications.
that we are and demand that we be seen as human.
But no matter the metric or mode of identifying or
“Race” is a construction. An illusion. stratifying those in the crowd, that day I never saw an “n”.

It exists as a tool of those who intend to My Identity, My Choice!
divide and conquer for the sole purpose
of maintaining societal advantages, real Why? Because to be one is a choice. And on that day, no
matter what the media expected to happen, no matter
”or imagined. what was written about the sponsors, no matter what the
And, today, we still persist in proving Maya Angelou to fears of the governmental authorities based on culturally
be both our witness and prophetess. “Still [we] rise!” We defined labels, those assembled that day gathered to
rise in our collective demand to be free to be. We rise in declare for the whole world:
our demand not for affirmation but for realization. We
rise in our collective declaration that we are men. We are “No! That’s not us! That’s not our choice. We have
women. We have hopes. We have aspirations. We don’t never been, are not, nor will we ever be ‘n’s. You saying it
need anyone else’s approval. We don’t need permission. doesn’t make it true for us.”
We are created in the same Godly image as every other
person. Not more than and certainly not less. And no “It’s our identity. It’s our choice!”
one outside of us can write us as a lesser character in our I can’t stop someone else from dismissing me. Or
story or in human history. We’ve survived the crucible of diminishing my contribution. Or denying my humanity.
Western racism. And, still, we rise. While I hope they would choose differently, that’s their
choice.
It is our choice. It is our privilege to choose and to But no one else can choose who or what I am or what
define ourselves. And we unflinchingly do. As men. As my potential is.
women. But not as “n”’s. And no one outside of me can stop me from striving to
fulfill that potential. It’s my choice to be my best Father,
Grandfather, Pastor, Son, Husband, Brother, Man!
And it’s my choice NOT to be an “n”.

We Chose AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT

On October 16, 1995, I drove to Washington, DC to witness Dania Griffin
and be a part of the first Million Man March. I had never
driven to DC before. I didn’t know who was speaking. I Dania Griffin has served as pastor of Antioch AME Church
didn’t know what to expect. I just knew I had to be there. in Frankford, DE, since 2014. He’s an avid comic book,
sci-fi, and history enthusiast. He’s also an accomplished
From the time I arrived to the time I left, I heard many songwriter. While he likes all genres of music , his songs
things. I heard men calling each other “Brother.” “Man.” can best be described as Spiritual/Gospel with a R&B &
“Sir.” But never “n.” Country twist.

I felt many things. Love, Pride, Safety, Security, a Sense Dania lives in Frankford, DE.
of Oneness and of Solidarity in Purpose. But I never felt
fear, threatened or hated. I saw many acts of kindness:
Men helping men with parking; strangers embracing one
another and giving advice on how to get around DC. I
saw the able-bodied providing assistance for those who
were differently abled. All day long! Laughter, Smiles,
Kindness. Gentleness. Compassion.

I heard, “Excuse me,” and “That’s alright,” and, “Don’t

Black Voices | Vol. 4 | Aug 2022 19

Why We Vote makes it illegal to prohibit someone
from voting based on racial back-
By Jalisa Bonville ground. The point of this law was to
stop state and local governments
I remember how excited I was the ing offered to minorities. With new from putting up roadblocks and us-
first time I got to vote. It was in the minds seasoned by knowledge and ing intimidation tactics to make the
2008 election, when Barack Obama experience comes the possibility of voting process all but impossible for
was running. I remember standing new perspectives and change. African-Americans. Fueled by efforts
in the line, wearing my Howard Uni- of activists and marches, the federal
versity T-shirt with pride, as a friend As many of us were taught, in government was finally moved to
took pictures of me next to the order to have a chance at truly pass a bill allowing minorities the
“Vote Here” sign. These are pictures progressing, we must first acknowl- right to vote without barriers. The
I will one day pass on as a part of edge, study and honor our history. In Act was a response to the outdated
my legacy, because I recognize the doing so, we find ourselves able to 15th Amendment, which permitted
importance and power a vote holds. learn from the mistakes, struggles, adult men the right to vote re-
and accomplishments that paved gardless of race, but contained a
As Vice President Kamala Harris the way for the successes of today. grandfather clause that stated if a
stated, when people who hold office person was already unable to vote
“reflect those impacted, we can ef- The Voting Rights Act, passed in – or the descendant of a person
fect change.” With the new addition 1965, is arguably one of the most unable to vote – he would contin-
to the Supreme Court of an African notable events in Black history. ue in this fashion. Since the 15th
American woman, more hope is be- Signed into law on August 6, 1965, Amendment was passed after the
this important piece of legislation end of the Civil War, the passing of
the Voting Rights Act proved to be a

20 Black Voices | Vol. 4 | Aug 2022

much-needed breath of fresh air and prone to being dictated to and, in a References
a sign of hope for the discouraged. sense, more susceptible to the chains National Archives and Records Admin-
this country would love to re-enslave istration. (n.d.). Voting rights act (1965).
What happened as an outcome of us with. It seems a slap in the face National Archives and Records Ad-
the Voting Rights Act? After the to deny oneself this free opportunity ministration. Retrieved June 18, 2022,
Act’s passing, hundreds of thousands because of a misconception that one from https://www.archives.gov/mile-
of new voters registered in just one vote has no affect. If too many peo- stone-documents/voting-rights-act
year. The running and electing of ple adopt this mindset, it will cause
more Black people into local and fed- an overwhelming blow and take AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT
eral political positions meant more away the strength we need to back
representation. Having more elected the candidates who matter to us. Jalisa Bonville
officials to channel the disparities
minority voters faced onto a delega- We must ask ourselves, what kind Jalisa works as a para-educator in the
tion floor helped voters feel recog- of legacy do we want to leave for Cape Henlopen School district. She has an
nized and more willing to come out our children and the generations to undergraduate degree in Psychology and
to the polls. It takes representation come? Do we want to reverse the is currently pursuing a Master’s in Special
to show up and cast an educated work of the dedicated fighters who Education. She also works part-time at the
vote. We must take care to know literally gave their lives to afford us Greater Milford Boys & Girls Club, as well
who we are voting for and the issues a voice? Do we want to give up any serving as a doula and childbirth educator.
being presented. It takes persistence chance of affecting legislation that Jalisa lives in Rehoboth Beach, DE.
to ensure that the causes we care can make life better for minorities,
about continue to remain on the men and women alike? Do we wish
ballots and discussion floors. to lose our seats of public office and
go back to hiding in the shadows?
How do the Voting Rights Act and I should hope the answer to those
conditions of the past foreshadow questions is certainly “No”. Instead,
what can happen and is happening we must become and remain an
in our current time? The Act proves aware, enlightened, and unified
that through unity and the raising body, working together for a com-
of our voices for important causes, mon mission, the advancement of
change can occur. Unfortunately, our people.
it too often takes traumatic events
such as unjustified murders or the SDARJ Upcoming events
harassment of innocent persons to
spur action for change. The martyrs There will be no Town Hall in August
of our current time serve to remind us August 13: SDARJ will be at the Eastern Shore AFRAM
that although we have made trium- Festival in Seaford DE. Live music, great food, a cultural
phant gains, there are still echoes of and community celebration of African American life on
suffering in many areas that need the Eastern Shore
be addressed. As this country makes September 13: “The Black Student Summit: What We
the shift toward becoming trau- Learned” Town Hall on Zoom, 6-8 PM. Co-sponsored
ma-informed and providing trau- with the Delaware Racial Justice Coalition. Registration
ma-informed services to individuals, information will be posted on sdarj.org two weeks before
African-Americans have an interest- the event.
ing opportunity to once again come
to the forefront of the movement
and lean on politicians to take into
consideration how systemic racism
affects minorities.

The Voting Rights Act reminds us
that we deserve a right afforded
to all Americans, one that enables
us to effect the change we wish to
seek and without which we produce
nothing but silent screams. Without
a cause, we walk around aimlessly,

Black Voices | Vol. 4 | Aug 2022 21

Writing Black
History at the
Zwaanendael

By Ella Walker

Lewes’s Zwaanendael Museum has launched
two new projects intended to ‘memorialize and
uplift’ stories of what it was like to recreate
at Delaware’s beaches as a person of color
throughout the Jim Crow era.

The online exhibit, “Segregated Sands: Beach-Going in for African Studies, initiated the endeavor. Barnes was as-

Jim Crow Era Delaware,” details the history of individual signed the task as an intern at the Zwaanendael. She accu-

beaches from New Castle to Sussex County. The informative mulated information from the Lewes Historical Society, local

digital display presents ten beaches that were designated archives, and ultimately, word of mouth to write history that

locations for Black beach-goers to visit, whether on desired Kaitlyn Dykes, Zwaanendael’s lead historic-site interpreter,

days or when permitted by state-sanctioned segrega- explained, “So few people seem to know about.”

tion laws. The history of each beach featured in the online The “Recapturing Black Beaches” shared story project

exhibit is substantiated “We didn’t go to Delaware beaches, we is an oral history initiative
with extensive research, didn’t feel welcome...my girlfriends where volunteers may
starting with the recog- would talk about going to the beach, participate as storytellers,
nition that the beaches ”I was never invited. share their memories with
were Native American the oral history project
land, continuing to the staff, or pose as interview-
Reconstruction Era, and ers, recording conversa-
then explaining the ram- tions between themselves
ifications of Jim Crow in and someone they know.
the 20th century. The Dykes explained that the
unprecedented presen- two projects were designed

tation also offers an insight into recent affairs in Lewes. For separately but ended up fueling each other.

example, under the Lewes Beach section, readers can learn She revealed, “The two initiatives were designed simul-

the history behind Beach 1 & 2 and the story behind Beach taneously—the oral initiative ending up shaping the virtual

2’s new name, Johnnie Walker Beach. exhibit.” She reported that there had been five participants

Kelli Barnes, a Ph.D. student at the University of Delaware so far for the oral initiative, and the oral history project

22 Black Voices | Vol. 4 | Aug 2022

staff will continue accepting stories. “The benefit of it being At the end of the gathering, Rep. Rochester declared, “As
virtual is that the project can be constantly updated as we a member of Congress, it is important to talk about things
learn and add more voices...there are definitely more stories that people don’t know.” She concluded her visit to the
to tell.” exhibit with a brief video message encouraging people to
view the presentation. Before heading off to Johnnie Walker
Members of the Lewes community are encouraged to Beach, she ended the video with a poignant final note that
visit the Zwaanendael to view the online exhibit presented summarized the historic entrepreneurship of the project,
in person. At the project’s debut, Delaware’s sole represen- “Our words are shaping history.”
tative Lisa Blunt Rochester visited the museum to converse
with the project’s contributors. As Delaware’s first woman AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT
and person of color to be sent to Congress, she also came
to voice her own experiences with Delaware beaches. She Ella Walker
reflected, “We didn’t go to Delaware beaches, we didn’t
feel welcome...my girlfriends would talk about going to the Ella Walker is a junior and an aspiring journalist at Cape Henlopen
beach, I was never invited.” High School. She is the Managing Editor of Cape’s school newspa-
per, Viking Ventures, where she focuses on writing.
In a conversation amongst Rep. Rochester and the proj-
ect contributors, Rochester remarked, “Even though the Ella lives in Lewes, DE.
exhibit ends in 1964, you could still feel the vestiges of Jim
Crow long after.” Talking to Rep. Rochester, Dr. Bonnie Hall,
who served as the representative of the Nanticoke Tribe
at the gathering, stressed the importance of recognizing
all minorities in this project. “One of the things that is so
fantastic is the diverse perspectives brought together,”
she said.

Segregated Sands

Delaware’s Segregated Beaches
During the Jim Crow Era (1877 – 1964)

Aug 15, 1900 announcement in the Smyrna Times about the
“Colored Day” at Woodland Beach.

Beach Scene, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, 1914, Delaware Public Archives.

To See The Full Exhibit: Beachfront Lewes, Delaware, 1915, Delaware Public Archives.

Scan or visit: https://history.delaware.gov/
zwaanendael-museum/segregated-sands/

Black Voices | Vol. 4 | Aug 2022 23

Did you know?

NASCAR and spectators at Dover — and it was a
its Diversity sold out race — was far more diverse
than it had been just 4 years back.
By Sara Ford
Most of the Pit Crew we talked to
Diversity is not a word that one tra- car racing, I had no idea just how as we walked along Pit Row said
ditionally associates with NASCAR. critical the Pit crew is. They are they hadn’t known anything about
In fact, images of the confederate in charge of seeing to the car’s NASCAR until Dion recruited them.
flag, the stereotypical ‘red neck,’ a drivability and mechanics. The Pit Until recently, it was a white sport.
sea of whiteness come to mind long crew is a finely tuned instrument, It appears NASCAR is being true to
before any thoughts of diversity. But all members working as one to fix its commitment to becoming more
in recent years, NASCAR has been whatever ails a car during a race diverse and inclusive.
making a conscious effort to become and to change the tires and send
more inclusive. I had the opportunity it back onto the course in record
to see its progress in May, when NA- speed. The work takes speed, intel-
SCAR was at Dover and my wife and ligence, athleticism, strength and
two friends had the good fortune the ability to work with and be a
of VIP tickets that gave us access part of a team.
to the garages and the pit section.
We were escorted by Dion Williams, NASCAR figured out that athletes
one of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity were likely to be more highly trained
national recruiters. to work as a team, more efficient,
stronger, more disciplined than
Dion, a former college football play- many other people. The organi-
er, drafted by the Vikings, suffered a zation also decided it was time to
5th concussion in preseason prac- change its face, to become more
tice that ended his football career. inclusive and welcoming to a more
However, a recruiter from NASCAR diverse audience. Sometimes good
found him and suggested that Dion decisions come out of purely busi-
consider a career with NASCAR as a ness interests, and this decision was
member of the Pit crew. a good one indeed. Good enough
for Michael Jordan to become the
Not being particularly knowledge- owner of the 23XI team, with Bubba
able about the complexities of Wallace, the one Black driver at the
moment, its first driver. The sea of

24 Black Voices | Vol. 4 | Aug 2022

Two pit crew members smile for the camera before a race.
Dion, with one of his trainees.

Two pit crew members make sure the tires are ready.

Dion poses for a picture with a pit crew member and some happy fans.

Black Voices | Vol. 4 | Aug 2022 25

People to Know, Things to See // Nick Roth Photos

Lewes’ inaugural Juneteenth
Celebration was a hit

Emcee Diaz Bonville introduces Christy Taylor
& Golden Branch.

A hot and sunny day set the stage for a successful inaugural Lewes June- Lewes Mayor Andrew Williams reads a
teenth Celebration June 25 in George H.P. Smith Park. Hosted by the Lewes City of Lewes proclamation.
African American Heritage Commission, the event featured an afternoon of
entertainment, short lectures, poetry, dancing and more. Dozens of mostly Alex Wiggins feels the music as he plays trom-
Black-owned businesses and organizations also set up tents in the park for bone with Christy Taylor & Golden Branch.
visitors to purchase attire, accessories, memorabilia or to learn more about
the mission of nonprofits. 

Dr. Nichelle Mason of the American Sign Language Ministry, above, signs
the Black national anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

Music teacher Chris-
ty Taylor on piano is
joined by a collection

of her students,
which goes by the
name Golden Branch.

Cooper Fenton plays drums for Golden Branch.

26 Black Voices | Vol. 4 | Aug 2022

Jane Hovington of the Richard Allen Coalition takes a few minutes to talk to Representing Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice are
the crowd. Hovington organized Georgetown’s Juneteenth event. Jan Daily, left, and Gail Jackson.

The Juneteenth Celebration was set up around artist Rose
DeSiano’s Absent Monuments, which highlight unsung heroes,
heroines and underrepresented communities.

The Rev. George Edwards Sr. of Friendship Baptist Church opens the
Juneteenth festivities.

The Delaware Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club set up a tent at the event to ed- Herman Jackson works the tent for the Nanticoke
ucate the public about the racism, sacrifices and hardships the Buffalo Soldiers Indian Association.
had to endure. The Delaware club rides its motorcycles to represent the horses
ridden by the Buffalo Soldiers in the 1800s. Shown are (l-r) Jersey Boy, Butch
Davis, Doug Holden, Debbie Davis, Michele Holden, Law Dog and Skip Hutson.

Black Voices | Vol. 4 | Aug 2022 27

People to Know, Things to See

A peek inside the African
American Museum of Black
History and Culture

28 Black Voices | Vol. 4 | Aug 2022

“Evil doesn’t die.
It grows back
through the cracks
of our apathy.”

GARY KASPAROV, GRAND CHESS
MASTER TURNED ACTIVIST

OUR GOAL:

To educate, inform and

advocate for racial justice

and social equality for all.

What We Do: • Regular Commentary on Individual and
Systemic Racism in local papers
• Dialogue to Action
• Legislative Advocacy • Supplemental Educational Modules on
• Monthly Town Hall Meetings Black History
• Student Scholarships
• Book Club • African-American Film Festival
• Go West (in Sussex County)
• Youth Ambassador Program • Public Speaking Engagements
• Higher Education for Incarcerated Regarding Racism

Individuals • Special Forums on Racial Justice Issues

Visit www.sdarj.org for more info.