‘America’s Favorite Island’? What was OK, is no longer OK | Letters
Nothing kills a brand like controversy. Just ask Aunt Jemima.
Time to drop the “plantations” before we are no longer “America’s Favorite Island.”
What was OK, is no longer OK.
Judy Dunning
Hilton Head Island
Let’s turn the spotlight on ‘emancipation,’ not ‘plantation’
The recent article “Juneteenth celebration” listed a timeline of important dates in the freedom of slaves. It could have added an early milestone unique to Hilton Head Island:
On Nov. 7, 1861, over one year before Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, slaves held on plantations on Hilton Head were freed by the invading federal Navy and amphibious assault troops in the Battle of Port Royal.
Weeks later, Beaufort, Port Royal, Lady’s Island, and St. Helena slaves were liberated as well. For the remainder of the Civil War and following Reconstruction years, Hilton Head’s town of Mitchelville and St. Helena Island’s Penn Center would serve as places of refuge, hope, education, and opportunity for the formerly enslaved.
Your article “Black families in Hilton head’s gated communities call for change” made valid arguments to change the word “plantation” on gated communities.
When the Sea Pines Company named its first development Sea Pines Plantation, it was a 1950s-era sales and marketing decision that drew on both Hilton Head’s history and the contemporary industry of pine plantations that immediately preceded development. However, other neighborhoods on the island followed suit with the nomenclature.
If it comes to pass that island neighborhoods decide to remove “plantation” from their brands and signage, maybe associations can shine the spotlight instead on Hilton Head as a place of refuge, hope, education and opportunity for former slaves.
Jay Bacon Fraser IV
Bluffton
Remember Chairman Mao: US revolution looks too familiar
Okay, I get it. Like China during the 1960s, America is going through its own “cultural revolution.”
In 1966, Chairman Mao declared war on “the four olds: old ideas, old customs, old habits and old culture.”
He unleashed the Red Guard, militant students and workers who rampaged through the country waving Mao’s Little Red Book, tearing down statues, destroying art, burning buildings and rewriting history books.
Non-believers were either eliminated or sent to “re-education camps.”
Sound familiar?
Our cultural revolution is a perfect storm of locked-down urbanites, radicalized college grads, street people, anarchists, anti-police protesters and politicians keeping their voters angry until election day. Add a failing economy and deadly virus.
China’s Cultural Revolution descended into a decade of bloodshed and anarchy. God save us from the same.
Blair Lee
Hilton Head Island
Tourists, consider others
Yes, Hilton Head Island loves tourists and relies on tourists for survival.
But tourists are being selfish and lack compassion. People live and work on Hilton Head. Be respectful. We had very few cases of COVID-19. Now cases have been doubling.
COVID-19 is not on vacation. Wear masks. Social distance. Wash your hands. Stay home – for now. We love you – but everyone wants to be safe. Stop. Think. Consider others.
Desiree Winterhalter
Hilton Head Island
Waiting for all the new statues
Some questions:
Will the pulled-down statues be allowed in our museums?
What will the new statues look like?
Who will they depict?
Will they be persons with no past, no liabilities or blemishes, no discernible color and no controversy surrounding them?
Start looking ...
Joan H. Sclafani
Hilton Head Island
Demand masks
It’s about time our “ leaders” got off their butts and passed a mask ordinance. But why not require anybody and everybody – including visitors – to wear a mask in all places of public accommodation? How about Beaufort County Council doing something?
Typical Town of Hilton Head Island half measure. Sad.
Jim O’Sullivan
Hilton Head Island
How to submit a letter
Email letters@islandpacket.com or letters@beaufortgazette.com.
Or you may submit a letter online.
Letters to the editor must be 250 words or fewer and include your first and last names, street address and daytime telephone number so we can verify the letter before publication.
You are limited to one letter per 30 days.
Letters may be edited for length, style, grammar, taste, accuracy and libel. All letters submitted become the property of The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette.