George B. Rhynes
Valdosta, Georgia
TO: Valdosta City Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: Request removal of Valdosta 1860 City Charter from Public Display in the Municipal Courtroom.
Thank you for your response to my letter requesting that the 1860 City of Valdosta charter be retired to a location away from the Municipal Courtroom. Away from where all citizens come in the hope of receiving equal justice under the law, and be respected as a full American Citizens under the Law in the State of Georgia----in the 21st Century.
In your letter par 1, you said that the 1860 Charter allowed for the creation of our city, as it was developed by Georgia State Officials, and our local forefathers---of that time.
MR. MAYOR AND COUNCIL:
a. Webster’s-Dictionary Third Edition defines {forefathers} as a male ancestor. What ancestor male or female---would want to control, suppress, enslave, and abate a fellow human being…
b. Webster defines “ABATE” as beat down, reduce, moderate, diminish, and lessen. In addition, in Section XI, of this 1860 Charter, we find the word Nuisances. Webster defines this word as annoying or obnoxious person or thing.
Which brings us back to Section XI of the Charter: QUOTE! “THE MAYOR, AND COUNCIL SHALL PASS ALL PROPER AND NECESSARY LAWS, AND ORDINANCES FOR THE CONTROL OF SLAVES, AND FREE PERSONS OF COLOR, IN SAID TOWN (VALDOSTA), AND SUPPRESS AND ABATE ALL NUISANCES ARRIVING FROM HOGS, DOGS, HORSES, OR OTHER STOCK STRAYING AT LARGE AT LARAGE IN SAID TOWN (VALDOSTA), OR FROM OTHER CAUSES.”
You agreed with me that we should not hide the facts of history or deny that which has come before us. Moreover, that the same logic should be applied to the items displayed in City Hall for over 20 years. Also that the 1860 charter is the City’s first Charter, remains a permanent record both in Valdosta, as well as in the “State Records Archives,” and cannot be ignored.
Twenty years Mr. Mayor and Council---is not a long period of time----to want for your neighbor, that which you want and have for yourself---and your children.
It is recorded in the Library of Congress---that some of our ancestors first came to these shores aboard a slave ship called Jesus. It was captained by one Sir John Hawkins, in the year of 1555 that’s 449 years ago. According to American History, they were treated worst than live stock, called 3/5th of a human being. As the charter stipulates, they were controlled, chained, suppressed, and totally humiliated before the world. If this 1860 charter were addressing my “Jewish brothers and sisters”, there would be no ripples in the water!
Mr. Mayor and Council----Speaking of Archives: In the Black Archives, at FAMU, and many other institutions, museums, and libraries, around the world. There are millions of artifacts, pictures of pain, of strange fruits---that trees did not bare. We do not want them displayed along these walls---to inflict pain and shame on another human being.
We are called to the Moral High Ground of love, justice, and equality for all of Gods Children. Whether it is today, tomorrow or the next century, this issue will be resolved by men, and women of conscious, love, compassion, and understanding.
Our world is moving towards the union of the one God, for the one universal people. Therefore, I take my seat by saying, “LUKE 4:18,” should be read and fully understood!
You see when truth comes, insensitivity, injustice, separation and falsehood must vanish. Because falsehood is forever a vanishing thing!
When I look at my Retirement Certificate, after placing my life on the line for over 20 years. Then look up at this 1860, document that tells all Black People---that they are still 2nd class citizens, and referred to in the same paragraph as---dogs, hogs, horses, and beasts of the field.
However, our God has instructed us---to treat our neighbors, as we ourselves want to be treated! These words probably will not change your conscience. Nevertheless, there is a plumb line of justice, by which we must all align ourselves up beside! To prepare for the last Council Meeting!
George B. Rhynes
A concerned citizens and brother of humanity!
[2] Letter post:
February 2004
George Rhynes (xxx-xxx-xxxx)
605 ½ East Hill Ave
Valdosta, Georgia
Dear Editor/Message Boards & Internet Blogs
Recently on C-Span the question was asked---is Freedom of Speech being curtailed in America since President Bush took office?
After writing many opinion columns and being published in several newspapers across the country including U.S. Today---I say Yes!
For Example: Here in Valdosta, Georgia on the second floor of Valdosta City Hall leading into the Valdosta Municipal Courtroom of Judge Edwards. There is a copy of a framed Valdosta City Charter of 1860, displayed on the wall approved by the Georgia General Assembly of 1860. Valdosta (No. 108), which reads;
Par., 100, Section XI, “THE MAYOR, AND COUNCIL SHALL PASS ALL PROPER AND NECESSARY LAWS AND ORDINANCES FOR THE CONTROL OF SLAVES, AND FREE PERSONS OF COLOR IN SAID TOWN AND SUPPRESS AND ABATE ALL NUISANCES ARRIVING FROM HOGS, DOGS, HORSE, OR OTHER STRAYING AT LARGE IN SAID TOWN, OR FROM OTHER CAUSES."
It seems that our local News Media and Elected Officials see nothing wrong or offensive in displaying this document in the 21st Century. Nevertheless, it offends people of conscience and has been discussed on Valdosta State University Campus by students and professors.
It was on 19 February 2004, when I noticed this charter and immediately wrote our Mayor, City Council, Valdosta Daily Times, WCTV, Channel 6, WALB Channel 10, Valdosta-NAACP, other local news media outlets, and organizations.
However, no media coverage has been given to this issue. It appears that some would like to see this issue disappear like the death of Mr. Willie James Williams, who died under strange circumstances while in the custody of Law enforcement.
It appears that local citizens are not informed by the media when it comes to alleged gang activity, elections discrepancies at the polls---even after being informed in writing, elderly citizens are afraid to come out of their homes because of alleged gang activity.
Protests against war with Iraq, eleven incarcerated inmates requested help in the Lowndes County Jail and believed their Constitutional Rights were being denied, an alleged incident involving a weapon at the jail was being swept under the rug.
However, after inmates concerns were presented to the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners on 26 Aug 2003, with news media present nothing was reported to the citizens of Valdosta and Lowndes County concerning their request.
In addition, Lowndes County Commissioners have yet to respond to their requests for help. Moreover, Valdosta-Lowndes County Conference Center has only one Black person in a management position. But all members of the work crews are black with no job benefits.
Then applicants and present employees complain of unfair hiring practices but little if any investigative reporting is done in Lowndes County. Local citizens are (NOW) turning to Message Boards, Blogs, Internet, and outside agencies for help to resolve the problems within this South Georgia Town.
Yes! It appears that Freedom of Speech in America, Valdosta, Lowndes County and the State of Georgia seems to be in jeopardy---at the expense of the people. Peace!
GEORGE BOSTON RHYNES
A concerned citizen and brother of humanity
George Rhynes (xxx-xxx-xxxx)
605 ½ East Hill Ave
Valdosta, Georgia
Dear Editor/Message Boards & Internet Blogs
Recently on C-Span the question was asked---is Freedom of Speech being curtailed in America since President Bush took office?
After writing many opinion columns and being published in several newspapers across the country including U.S. Today---I say Yes!
For Example: Here in Valdosta, Georgia on the second floor of Valdosta City Hall leading into the Valdosta Municipal Courtroom of Judge Edwards. There is a copy of a framed Valdosta City Charter of 1860, displayed on the wall approved by the Georgia General Assembly of 1860. Valdosta (No. 108), which reads;
Par., 100, Section XI, “THE MAYOR, AND COUNCIL SHALL PASS ALL PROPER AND NECESSARY LAWS AND ORDINANCES FOR THE CONTROL OF SLAVES, AND FREE PERSONS OF COLOR IN SAID TOWN AND SUPPRESS AND ABATE ALL NUISANCES ARRIVING FROM HOGS, DOGS, HORSE, OR OTHER STRAYING AT LARGE IN SAID TOWN, OR FROM OTHER CAUSES."
It seems that our local News Media and Elected Officials see nothing wrong or offensive in displaying this document in the 21st Century. Nevertheless, it offends people of conscience and has been discussed on Valdosta State University Campus by students and professors.
It was on 19 February 2004, when I noticed this charter and immediately wrote our Mayor, City Council, Valdosta Daily Times, WCTV, Channel 6, WALB Channel 10, Valdosta-NAACP, other local news media outlets, and organizations.
However, no media coverage has been given to this issue. It appears that some would like to see this issue disappear like the death of Mr. Willie James Williams, who died under strange circumstances while in the custody of Law enforcement.
It appears that local citizens are not informed by the media when it comes to alleged gang activity, elections discrepancies at the polls---even after being informed in writing, elderly citizens are afraid to come out of their homes because of alleged gang activity.
Protests against war with Iraq, eleven incarcerated inmates requested help in the Lowndes County Jail and believed their Constitutional Rights were being denied, an alleged incident involving a weapon at the jail was being swept under the rug.
However, after inmates concerns were presented to the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners on 26 Aug 2003, with news media present nothing was reported to the citizens of Valdosta and Lowndes County concerning their request.
In addition, Lowndes County Commissioners have yet to respond to their requests for help. Moreover, Valdosta-Lowndes County Conference Center has only one Black person in a management position. But all members of the work crews are black with no job benefits.
Then applicants and present employees complain of unfair hiring practices but little if any investigative reporting is done in Lowndes County. Local citizens are (NOW) turning to Message Boards, Blogs, Internet, and outside agencies for help to resolve the problems within this South Georgia Town.
Yes! It appears that Freedom of Speech in America, Valdosta, Lowndes County and the State of Georgia seems to be in jeopardy---at the expense of the people. Peace!
GEORGE BOSTON RHYNES
A concerned citizen and brother of humanity
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