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Franklin County citizen calls for reconciliation
Published Saturday, March 6, 2010
ROXIE — Franklin County has been in the national news for some frankly unflattering things in the past, but John Briggs said he believes it’s time to move on.
That’s why he has presented a proposal for the promotion of repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation to the county board of supervisors.
A civil suit against the county by the family of Thomas Moore is pending, and Briggs said that some of the victims of Civil Rights crimes still live in Franklin County, and would actually be penalized themselves if the plaintiffs win the lawsuit.
Moore was a black teenager who was kidnapped, beaten, tied up and thrown into the Mississippi River to drown in 1964. His friend, Henry Hezekiah Dee, was also killed in the same incident.
One man, the then 71-year-old James Ford Seale, was convicted on kidnapping charges related to the deaths in 2007.
“There are those of us in the county who were victims of what was going on back then, and the proposal is a way to kind of acknowledge what happened,” Briggs said.
The Briggs family was victimized when the Rev. Clyde Ben Briggs — John Briggs’ father — was poisoned for working to register black voters and otherwise energize the black community to positive political action during the volatile Civil Rights era, John Briggs said.
The proposal, which was submitted to the supervisors and to the attorney for Thomas Moore’s family, asks for the county, the state of Mississippi and the United States to all participate in the process.
On the county end, Briggs has proposed that Seale Road be renamed Dee-Moore Road, Schillinghill Road be renamed Clyde Briggs Road and that the county museum and library erect a display about the incidents.
Schillinghill Road is the road on which the Briggs family estate is located, Briggs said.
“The proposal is basically to say let’s reconcile and move on, and still acknowledge what has happened,” he said.
“There may be people who are (in Franklin County) who are still racists, but I would say 80 to 90 percent of people who are there couldn’t care about race.”
The proposal for the state is to designate three portions of U.S. 84 as memorial highways for Dee, Moore and Clyde Briggs, and to — in cooperation with the U.S. government — erect a monument in Roxie’s town square to commemorate the victims, and list all of the victims of Civil Rights crimes in Mississippi.
The proposal for the U.S. government is to rename Clear Springs Recreation Park, where Dee and Moore were reportedly taken to be beaten, as the Henry Dee-Charles Moore Freedom Park.
The final provision in the proposal asks for the county, state and federal governments to pass and publish a statement of repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation.
While the other parties have not responded to the proposal, Briggs said he has heard from the county’s attorney, who expressed interest.
“He said that the display is something they wouldn’t mind working with, because he feels that the concept of reconciliation and moving on — and acknowledging what we are today — was a good proposal,” Briggs said.
Comments
Posted by ntznavyman (anonymous) on March 6, 2010 at 2:50 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by Obadiah (anonymous) on March 6, 2010 at 6:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I love Clear Springs Lake. Growing up in Franklin County, I would spend many a days camping and fishing there. Beautiful place. If they want to change name thats fine, because the name doesn't change the place. If changing the name of a few roads brings a little peace and reconciliation, then I say Amen, brother. Because what happened to those young men some 40 plus years ago was about as close to evil as you can get. No amount of name changing will bring them back. If it could, I would change the name of every road in the county. I think the proposal is a good one and I believe the people of Franklin County will work something out that will be accepted by all that live there. Both blacks and whites have worked hard to make Franklin county a wonderful place to live and raise a family. I am proud of my county and the people that live there.
Posted by LOVESNATCHEZ (anonymous) on March 6, 2010 at 8:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LET IT GO!!!!
Posted by JoeQPublic (anonymous) on March 6, 2010 at 9:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
When I first read the headline, I thought this was a story on how the Democrats were attempting to ram through Obamacare in the Senate by means of "reconciliation" instead of the required 60 votes needed on major legislation. I was like, "man, is this a random story or what." lol... anyway, on to the actual story.
This one is tough to get a grip on. I think that acknowledging something instead of letting it be an elephant in the room is always cathartic and healthy. I'm not too sure I agree with renaming so many aspects of Franklin County is necessarily a healthy way to acknowledge what happened. I believe there are other ways to go about it. I did watch the NBC special where Moore's brother pulled up at Seale's house to confront him. I felt sad for what his family had to go through. It was just proof that the South actually didn't lose the Civil War.
The elite of the south tried to keep slavery as an institution to subjugate a race and although they were defeated militarily, they found another way to achieve their ends through other means for another 100 years. If you look at war in the broader context of political ends and not just military accomplishments, the South achieved their goals in the mid-1870's.
Posted by justoneopinion (anonymous) on March 6, 2010 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
From what I understand Seale Rd is named for a different set of Seale's than the one that was supposedly involved in the kidnapping.
Posted by ntztransplant17 (anonymous) on March 6, 2010 at 11:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Can we just not let this "racism" thing alone? The reason it is in the forefront so much is because the African-Americans keep punching and poking the subject and asking everyone to remember, repent, forgive and reconcile. We ALL remember, we ALL are sorry, but WE can't change history and WE shouldn't be blamed for what happened. What would happen if someone proposed a road name change and/or a monument for every Caucasian that has been killed by an African-American for whatever reason? We would have Jesse Jackson & Al Sharpton all over that. Can we not just accept the fact that we all KNOW what happened and we can't change history, so let's all just move on. Trust me, drudging up the race card does nothing but inflame the situation.......LET IT GO!
Posted by Robin58 (anonymous) on March 6, 2010 at 11:38 a.m.
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Posted by belle_south (anonymous) on March 6, 2010 at 4:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by ntztransplant17 (anonymous) on March 6, 2010 at 11:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Can we just not let this "racism" thing alone? The reason it is in the forefront so much is because the African-Americans keep punching and poking the subject and asking everyone to remember, repent, forgive and reconcile.
The reason that racism is in the forefront is because it keeps happening........ No one should be quiet about it... no justice among men, no peace among men. When you or your family have not been the victim of racism, it is easy to say forgive and forget, let it go, move on and all that other jazz. Imagine being killed just for existing.. for you being you.... just being who God created you to be. Imagine a person hating you so heartlessly and unprovokingly for no other reason than for who God created you to be. And then that person having the gall to decided that that's a good enough reason to take your life. And then can be so arrogant to know that nothing will be done about. This scenario happened then and still happens today in present day Natchez. So the families of the victim are totally justified in their demands because they can never get true justice!!! I fully support them ad hope and pray that they get everything that their hearts desire.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on March 6, 2010 at 8:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Clear Springs has been Clear Springs since white men first got here. Please leave it alone. It would be like changing Natchez to Medger Eversville.
Posted by msgal529 (anonymous) on March 6, 2010 at 9 p.m. (Suggest removal)
In order for true reconciliation to occur---total forgiveness must take place without reparations. This doesn't sound like the case here. A lot of the people living in Franklin County today were not around 40 years ago. History cannot be changed no matter how much we want it to. All we can do is learn from it and not make the same mistakes again on all sides. Total forgiveness is the key and knowledge to not make the same mistakes again
Posted by reb1843 (anonymous) on March 6, 2010 at 10:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A true meaning of 'reconciliation' is to assume that a mutually satisfactory relationship existed PRIOR to the 'separation' in question. You can't reconcile something that never existed. White people today do not have to 'reconcile' anything with black folks today. This is just another PC way of having us suffer a terminal case of WGS (White Guilt Syndrome) and I'm not buying any.
Posted by specialk (anonymous) on March 7, 2010 at 1:06 a.m.
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Posted by attaboy (anonymous) on March 7, 2010 at 7:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't reconcile or ask anyone to forgive me for something I didn't do. No one in my family ever owned a slave, no one in my family killed or beat any "african american". Give it up!!!
Posted by roxie2 (anonymous) on March 7, 2010 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This whole article makes me sick. I've lived in Franklin county my whole life. First of all, I am probably one of the least racist people ever. I have many close friends who are black and treat them like family because they are. Secondly, renaming these places will do absolutely nothing to change the past! Guess what, everybody knows about it accepts it. I understand these were horrible acts, but I believe the best way to go about resolving this is to LET IT GO! I'm in my twenties. I was not involved in things that happened way back when. And for the record, nobody even knows if they were taken to clear springs so why should it be renamed? Seale rd, that is a totally different set of seales! Enough is enough.. an 80+ year old man is in jail on a ridiculous charge. He probably is guilty of being involved in this crime, but the statute of limitations has expired.. so I think you've made your point..
Posted by vidaliala336 (anonymous) on March 7, 2010 at 7:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ok, I think this is a bunch of bull. What is renaming all this stuff going to accomplish? Everyone knows what happened, there is nothing anyone can do to change it. At the MOST I would say it's ok to rename the road, but clear springs? Come on! This is just stirring the pot. And is an official letter from the state of acceptance and whatever going to change a thing? No just going to waste the few taxpayer dollars that are left over there.
Posted by roxie2 (anonymous) on March 7, 2010 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Belle south, from what I understand they weren't killed for merely existing.. being killed for any reason is not right by no means, but don't feed me the bull of saying they were just passer bys and did nothing wrong because that is not the case.. pull the records and have a look see..
Posted by belle_south (anonymous) on March 7, 2010 at 2:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by roxie2 (anonymous) on March 7, 2010 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Belle south, from what I understand....... an 80+ year old man is in jail on a ridiculous charge.......He probably is guilty of being involved in this crime, but the statute of limitations has expired.....
Roxie2 that's the whole point, you dont understand. History has/is repeating itself. My case and point. A few a years ago one/two sheriff's deputy beat up a black guy for walking with a white girl. This happened at the balloon race. NOTHING was done about it. History repeating itself.
If ever find out the name of the black guy and can verify that this story is true, I will personally write the MS state Attorney General and cc the US Attorney General. A sheriff is an elected official and cannot arbitrarily choose which cases to investigate. THERE IS NO STATUTE OF LIMITATION ON CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATION. The young man and lady that was attacked by the Sheriff's deputy(s) should be paid reparations for their civil rights being violated. Ridiculous charge?!@%^
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on March 7, 2010 at 4:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Since I see black guys and white girls, as well as black girls and white guys, walking around town holding hands and sometimes pushing baby stollers around, I seriously doubt the only reason the deputies grabbed this guy was because he was with a white girl. Grow up belle-south and come into the now, where it's ok for races to mix in public and nobody says anything or even cares.
Posted by roxie2 (anonymous) on March 7, 2010 at 5:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Explain to me how changing the names of these places will make a damn bit of difference. I'm not gonna go back & forth with you about trivial things. I honestly don't care if the man is in jail or not. If the black guy got beat up for walking with a white girl.. blah blah.. I'm sure there are two sides to every story.. what I do care about is the names of these places remaining the same. Put up all the monuments in town square you want & whatever displays in the library/museum. Refer to my prior post on why the seale rd & clear springs do not need to be changed. This is just a ploy to get unnecessary attention.. again.. I don't see the family of frank corban requesting the name of river rd be changed..(look that one up too since you have so much time to look up injustices that go on.)
Posted by dusty43 (anonymous) on March 8, 2010 at 8:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
PEACE BE STILL IN MY HOME COUNTY
Posted by CriseyLuv (anonymous) on March 8, 2010 at 10:02 a.m.
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Posted by CriseyLuv (anonymous) on March 8, 2010 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
HOW CAN THE DEMOCRAT REMOVE MY COMMENT AND NOT THE OTHERS...THE TRUTH IS THE TRUTH DEAL WIT AND CANCEL MY SUBSCRIPTION TO THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT FOR THAT!!!!!
Posted by belle_south (anonymous) on March 8, 2010 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Let the proper officials be the judge of why the guy was beaten up. Truth is sheriff's deputies shouldnt be beating up anybody!!!
Posted by belle_south (anonymous) on March 8, 2010 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on March 7, 2010 at 4:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
.....I seriously doubt the only reason the deputies grabbed this guy was because he was with a white girl.
His race may not have been the ONLY reason, but you cannot deny that it wasnt ONE of the reasons....
Posted by cll5276 (anonymous) on March 8, 2010 at 11:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I do agree that the crimes committed in the past were the worst thing that could have happened to this county. I grieve for the families that lost their loved ones during this horrendous incident. Even though this was bad, I do not believe that we should just stop everything and change names of roads, and NATIONAL parks just because someone died there. I had a family member killed on an ATV because the people that check the ATV two weeks before had not checked the brakes. I am not fighting this company to changed their name to my brother's name. If we cannot let God come into our lives and wipe away all the bad things that have happened to us, we as a country will never get to the point of TRUE freedom.
Posted by misslou (anonymous) on March 8, 2010 at 7:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As Mr. Briggs stated Franklin County is not a racist place for the most part. Now the percent of black racist is equal to the number of white, (the door swings both ways). The Seale road was named in honor of a man that has no ties to this incident, so you want to remove this honor from a man because of something that happen in which he had nothing to do with. Is that the right thing to do??? A monument in the Roxie Town Square? Changing the name of Clear Springs? Naming parts of Hwy 84? Changing the names of individual roads? Having the County, State, and Country repent, and ask for forgiveness? I think over 90% of the people would believe to do all of these things would be a bit excessive.
The family didn’t get proper justice and the killers were never punished for the crime. The only justice was that a person involved in the kidnapping was put in jail. Today, there are people killed all the time who’s families do not receive justice. All races are killed by other races and we do not consider it a hate crime unless it is a white person killing a black person. Are those crimes any worse? The person is just as dead and their family is just as sad. So we should have the same justice no matter the race. This wasn’t done in the past when a black person was killed and it is not done today with the hate crime laws.
I do agree with Mr. Briggs on the part of moving on and that is what we should do. Let the hate go and ask God to forgive the people that did these terrible things and to help you move past it. If you want the event to be remembered, you should rescind this proposal and make another proposal to have the events entered into the Mississippi history books. Because this is history and that is where it belongs. In a history book, people can learn from it so that we don’t repeat the mistakes of previous generations and we don’t have to change the name of everything just to keep fanning the flames.
Posted by roxie2 (anonymous) on March 8, 2010 at 9:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you misslou!
Posted by Itravel2 (anonymous) on March 9, 2010 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I would suggest that the Seale road name be changed from the intersection of McNair Road to Morgan's Fork Creek. It should have been named the "Kirby" road. From the "Y" at Morgan's Fork that portion of the road to Hamburg could remain Seale Road--this is the portion of the road that the Seale family lived on. I do not think Clear Springs should be renamed. If all people would think, it is us, this generation, who will pay for what others did in our taxes--both white and black--if this lawsuit is completed and the county found negligent in this incident. I am very sad that this occurred, however, most of those who may have been involved are now deceased--and if they were guilty, they are paying the supreme penalty now.
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