To the editor:
We are writing to oppose Article 3 on the October 23, 2023 Great Barington Special Town Meeting Warrant that calls for a vote on the redesign of the front entrance to the Mason Public Library. Here is what Article 3 says:
“We are petitioning the town of Great Barrington to put to a VOTE whether the VOTERS want a redesign of the Mason Public library grounds.”
The article seems innocent enough and is worded in a way that might cause one to ask, “What’s not to like about that?” But don’t be fooled. It is another in a long series of attempts to block—or at least delay—the W.E.B. Du Bois Sculpture Project, which will not cost the taxpayers a penny and will honor one of our most illustrious citizens.
Why would anyone object to erecting a statue of our most famous native son who was a great scholar, Civil Rights leader, and man of peace? One of the reasons I have heard is that the sculpture would “citify,” or urbanize, Great Barrington. But you have to wonder if anybody ever worried about urbanizing small towns across America when statues of white men—usually soldiers—were erected. Of course not. It is a silly objection.
Let’s be honest. The real reason for objecting to the Du Bois statue is that he was Black. The advocates of Article 3 won’t tell you that, and they will surely deny it loudly if asked. But that is the reason. They use the absurd urbanization argument because they can’t think of anything better. And, in Article 3, they don’t even say why they make the petition, because to state their real reasons would be too embarrassing.
So, we urge the Selectboard to reject Article 3 at the October 23 meeting, and we further urge the Select Board to approve the W.E.B. Du Bois Sculpture Project at that meeting without any further delay.
Stephen L. White and Andrea Saville White
Great Barrington
