Bridging History and Hope
Womanist Ethics in Savannah’s Square Renaming
In the sacred precincts of Savannah, GA, a city deeply etched with a history predating the American Revolution, a significant transformation unfurled last Thursday. Savannah’s city council, grounded in a rich tapestry of history, embarked on a historic journey, breaking free from the shackles of its slavery-era past. They cast their votes to rename a downtown square, dedicating it to the memory of an extraordinary Black woman who devoted her life to empowering formerly enslaved individuals through the gift of literacy.
Susie King Taylor: a Proto-Womanist Beacon
Susie King Taylor now stands as a beacon, the first person of color to bestow her name upon one of Savannah’s revered twenty-three squares. This momentous decision stands as a significant departure from the norm, marking the first time in 140 years that Savannah has sanctioned a name change for one of these picturesque, park-like squares, conceived within the city’s original blueprint dating back to its founding in 1733.
As the resonant words of Savannah’s Mayor Van Johnson reminds us, “It’s one thing to make history. It’s something else to make sense. And in this case, we’re making both.” A testament to this transformation lies in the fact that five Black women now occupy seats within the nine-member city council – an astounding reality that transcends the boundaries of what was conceivable during Susie King Taylor’s era.
A Confrontation with History: the Legacy of Slavery
Throughout history, public spaces and monuments in this Southern city have predominantly celebrated Georgia’s colonial founders, former governors, fallen war heroes, and other illustrious White men. Yet, the renaming of this square, passionately advocated for by Patt Gunn, a committed Savannah tour guide, a dynamic coalition of activists, signifies a momentous stride toward inclusivity. It represents the recognition of voices that have long been relegated to the margins.
The oak-dappled square, soon to bear the hallowed name of Susie King Taylor, lies in close proximity to the southern edge of Savannah’s downtown historic district. For 170 years, it bore the name of John C. Calhoun, a former US vice president from South Carolina, remembered for his vehement support of slavery in the years leading up to the Civil War – a legacy fundamentally at odds with the evolving moral compass of our society.
Balancing Recognition and Reckoning: Ethical Complexities
In November, the Savannah City Council, in response to the impassioned campaign led by Patt Gunn’s coalition, made the watershed decision to cast off the name “Calhoun Square.” While they met resistance by some within Savannah, this decision was rooted in the conviction that the honor accorded to Calhoun was no longer tenable in a city where 54% of the population is Black. The city authorities promptly removed any remnants bearing Calhoun’s name from the square, and for nine months, the space remained nameless, allowing City Hall to gather recommendations for a new designation.
While voices of opposition, such as resident David Tootle, have acknowledge the wrongness of Calhoun’s support for slavery, they contend that historical figures, like Calhoun, who occupied high offices, should not be disqualified from recognition. This nuanced discourse underscores the ethical complexities surrounding commemoration in our society, prompting us to interrogate how we balance historical merit with evolving moral and ethical standards.
Bridging the Past and the Future: Womanist Christian Ethics
From the vantage point of Christian ethics from a womanist perspective, the elevation
of Susie King Taylor to this newfound prominence within Savannah’s public squares assumes profound significance. Her legacy resonates deeply with the womanist framework of justice, liberation and the celebration of marginalized Black women’s voices. Her story compels us to engage in an ethical dialogue, not only about rectifying historical injustices, but also about the ethical dimensions of how we commemorate figures from our past. This renaming of the square serves as a poignant manifestation of our evolving ethical consciousness, and as Christian ethicists, it calls us to explore the ethical implications of such transformations and to continue advocating for justice and equity for all, especially those voices that have long been silenced by history’s oppressive narrative.
Further Reading Recommendations
For those interested in delving deeper into the life and legacy of Susie King Taylor, John C. Calhoun, and the enduring legacy of slavery within the context of Christianity, the following reading list is recommended:
Susie King Taylor
Armstrong, Erica Dunbar and Candace Buford. Susie King Taylor: Nurse, Teacher & Freedom Fighter (Rise. Risk. Remember. Incredible Stories of Courageous Black Women), Aladdin Publishers, 2023
Taylor, Susie King. Reminiscences of My Life in Camp with the 33D United States Colored Troops . CreateSpace Independent Publishing, 2016
John C. Calhoun:
Cheek, H. Lee., Jr. Calhoun and Popular Rule: The Political Theory of the Disquisition and Discourse, University of Missouri Press, 2004
Coit, Margaret L. John C. Calhoun: American Portrait, University of South Carolina Press, 1991
Legacy of Slavery for Christianity:
Baptist, Edward E. The Half Has Never Been Told: Slavery and the Making of American Capitalism, Basic Books, 2016
Cone, James. The Cross and the Lynching Tree, Orbis Books, 2013
Williams, Delores. Sisters in the Wilderness: The Challenge of Womanist God-Talk, Orbis Books, 2013
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