Why the word ‘plantation’ is inappropriate in Beaufort County today | Opinion
This column consists of a letter I wrote to the board of the Hilton Head Plantation Property Owners Association, which has been asked by some residents to replace the word “plantation” in its name.
I am resident of this development. The letter:
“I recently sat down and read through the history of our ‘plantation.’ I appreciated the vision of Charles Fraser and his colleagues who worked so hard to plan a community in Hilton Head which would be a magnificent place to call home. Their vision succeeded because many families like myself chose this locale to settle down and enjoy their lives in a wonderful community like ours.
“I do not believe that the original developers ever considered the word ‘plantation’ to be a pejorative term. They probably never conceived that the term ‘plantation’ could hurt people or give the impression that our community is insensitive to history as it affects all Americans, particularly the residents who are African Americans. They wanted to convey an image of the grandeur of our Southern heritage believing that would be a positive image and an effective marketing draw for prospective homeowners.
“Change is hard sometimes to accept and acknowledging the call that times are changing is difficult to embrace. Yet, that is what I am asking this board to do at this hour. Finding a new word to replace ‘plantation’ is not about changing our lifestyle but it is about acknowledging the indisputable history and deeply held conviction that the word ‘plantation’ itself sends a message for many residents that does not reflect who we are today.
“It is not just Black Americans who cringe at this symbol of our community but residents from all races and religions who have held their peace and remained silent about this uncomfortable issue until now. I appeal to the board leadership to recognize the history of the plantation in the antebellum South and understand what it represented to Black Americans during the hundreds of years of slavery. It symbolizes a cruel and oppressive way of life and everything contrary to what we stand for, not only as residents of this community but as Americans today. We do not need this term anymore and we can do better without it and still hold onto what is good, welcoming, and inclusive about living here.
“I know that people will argue that keeping the word ‘plantation’ in our logo will adversely impact our property values and eventually diminish our national reputation. That may all be true. Others will argue the opposite view and scoff at this community-wide movement to remove the word ‘plantation’ and characterize these efforts as a knee-jerk response to recent episodes in racial tensions in America.
“My main point is, however, about doing the right thing because history matters and that we respect all Americans, especially the historic experience of Black Americans.
“The big question is do we honor and value the diversity of the residents of our community? If the answer is yes then make this change and demonstrate that our community and its leadership stand up for the highest principles of compassion and respect that everyone matters who lives here.
“This is your chance to show real leadership. It does not change the original vision of this community, rather, finding a new last name will lead us all to a more harmonious and unified community that the original developers and board members envisioned over 40 years ago and that we still cherish today.
“Thank you for your attention to this letter.”
Other communities on Hilton Head Island are also considering the same issues with regard to the word “plantation.”
Whether we are speaking about statues of Confederate heroes or the history and meaning of the word “plantation,” the central point is that we are looking at American history from a different lens. There is a difference between what we imagined the past to be versus what it was.
In addition to that past, particularly in the South, we had two radically different sets of experiences and history based upon race. America fought the Civil War over these issues. Isn’t it time we face that history?
Our memory of the past should be based upon the truth of what happened in the American South and on plantations rather than a later, reinvented version of an imaginary past that has only created division today. Facing history is about facing the truth of who we are today.
Rabbi Brad Bloom of Hilton Head Island writes on matters of faith.