I am privileged because I am white. I first saw Fame when I moved to Salisbury 15 years ago. My first impression was that it was a beautiful statue.

As I learned more about the history of Fame and read the plaques around its base, I realized that what Fame represented was not at all beautiful. Fame was erected at a time when black people were treated with extreme cruelty and were under severe oppression.

That same degree of cruelty may no longer exists today, but black people and other people of color are still oppressed and do not have the same privileges and advantages as their white neighbors. Racism and inequality still exist. To deny it doesn’t make it any less so, it just makes it that much easier to ignore.

Ask yourself if you would change places with your black or brown neighbor. If the answer is no, ask yourself Why? The white community needs to listen to the stories and concerns of their black and brown neighbors. We need to acknowledge their pain, their sorrow and, yes, even their anger.

We need to understand why Fame is a constant reminder of the inequality that still exists. Fame does not belong in such a prominent place in our community. It should not be one of the first things people see when they come into Salisbury. We cannot continue to be the kind of city that Fame represents. We are better than that. We MUST be better than that.

No one is asking that Fame be destroyed, damaged or vandalized, just that it be moved to a less prominent location that is more appropriate. Relocate Fame! Take that step towards reconciliation that our city so desperately needs.

— Carol Pomeroy

Salisbury