'Plantations' Issue Redux

I READ WITH INTEREST the Jan. 16 Journal article ("Gospel music, speeches mark King holiday") that quotes Rhode Island state Rep. David Cicilline, of Providence, as pledging to again submit legislation to remove the word "plantations" from Rhode Island's official name.

While I recognize the concern for the negative interpretation that the word might have for African-American Rhode Islanders, I respectfully disagree with what I see as, at best, historical revisionism and at worst, censorship. This action is of particular interest to me as a descendant of the first African-American elected to the Rhode Island legislature in 1881, the Rev. Mahlon Van Horne, of Newport.

My wife and I lecture extensively across the country on early African-American and Jewish-American history. Over the last several years, our lecture sites have included historical societies, churches and synagogues in the South, most recently in Richmond, Va. and New Orleans. Our lectures in the South have enabled us to develop a sincere appreciation for our Southern neighbors, who genuinely want to have a positive dialogue about race relations, past and present.

We also own a large collection of 18th and 19th Century African-American and Jewish-American artifacts passed down within our families from generation to generation. Here in our community of Newport, we provide walking tours of Newport's early African and Jewish communities. We have also lectured extensively on the American slave trade, particularly on Rhode Island's participation. Our Rhode Island Web site has won awards for historical presentation and content.

All this leads to my point that I do recognize that the word "plantations" might legitimately be interpreted by some as evoking a negative reference to the plantations of the ante-bellum South. However, I also know that removing the name will not remove the past practices of history, right or wrong.

While no one would attempt to say that discrimination has never existed in our state, historically there has always been a sense of balance where justice and compassion have prevailed.

I strongly urge Rhode Islanders to reject any effort to rewrite Rhode Island history by eliminating "plantations" from our official state name. We learn more by looking at ourselves honestly in the clear light of day than we do by hiding or uselessly trying to erase our past. In taking a more constructive approach, I suggest a statewide focus on including more local African-American and other ethnic history in Rhode Island elementary and secondary-school curricula. This would provide an opportunity for educational enlightenment and open discussion that would bring Rhode Islanders together rather than divide them.

I believe that Representative Cicilline has consistently demonstrated a genuine interest in the well-being of Rhode Islanders, particularly those in greatest need. And I clearly understand his passion for this issue. But sometimes the right thing to do is not always the most passionate.

Keith W. Stokes is the executive director of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce.