The “Talbot Boy Statue Speech“
Devon Beck • August 3, 2021
Growing up in Easton and attending UMES, rapper Devon Beck is a local hero and was the main speaker at the Juneteenth rally to Move the Talbot Boys Monument. He spoke for 20 minutes, frequently interrupted by clapping and shouts of approval. Try to read Beck’s speech as if you were part of that enthusiastic and appreciative crowd listening to him on June 19.
When I was asked to speak at this rally, I was honored to lend my voice to this movement — this cause. Writing this speech led to me researching, reading Facebook posts and comments — and we all know what kind of rabbit hole that can be!
But who am I to complain when my ancestors and those who came before me laid their lives on the line so I can stand here today and deliver this speech?
This statue [looks and points at it] is a symbol of hate.
It’s fair to say Dixie has left a huge imprint on the United States. It was defeated militarily during the Civil War but not defeated politically because the white supremacist ideals were not defeated. Dixie often gets a pass because they lost the war but refused to surrender.
From here, you had Northern politicians who catered to the South. Even if you had ideas of fairness, not even equality — that Black people were human beings — at the same time you needed to win the South to be elected, you had to step lightly around the Southerners.
This is exactly how I view this particular statue. Certain political powers that be know that this is wrong, but don’t want to be ostracized by their political peers.
If you look at the foundation of this country — the economic system it built, the social systems it set up — it was all about keeping somebody at the bottom. And here's a convenient bunch of people to do it [again points to statue].
Racism is in the soil of this nation. It’s in each and every stitch of those flags, American and Confederate. The Maryland state song has been removed because it’s racist, yet we still sing the Star-Spangled Banner.
Amiri Barka said, “You know it’s hard to be Black in a world controlled by White folks.” W.E.B. Dubois said we always have a double consciousness. We’re trying to be Black. But meanwhile a White ghost hovers overhead saying if you don’t do this, you’ll get killed. If you don’t do this, you won’t get any money. If you don’t do this, nobody will think you’re beautiful. If you don’t do this, nobody will think you’re smart. That’s the White ghost talking.
One of the reasons that America became such an advanced country was not only because of slavery, but also the slave trade. Slavery was financed in New York, in Newport, Rhode Island, and Boston. It’s also one of the reasons that Wall Street was created.
The rise of capitalism clearly happened on the backs of slaves. Early on, African Americans and Europeans worked side-by-side as indentured servants anywhere from five to seven years. But in 1676, Nathaniel Bacon led an uprising of 1,000 Black and White workers who demanded democracy, participation in running the colony, and land.
This conflict led to the notion that it was better to keep the poor Whites knowing that they weren’t at the bottom and that no matter how degraded you may be as a White person, you’re still White.
We’re clearly talking 1676, but as I wrote this, I said to myself, ”Wow! This sounds a lot like our former president’s whole political campaign!”
So when I heard the slogan, ”Make America Great Again,” knowing our history, I replied, “Great for who? How free is free?”
The legal discrimination against African Americans that began in the 1600s officially ended in 1964 with the Civil Rights Act. Then it was no longer acceptable to be publicly racist. So racism went underground, maintained in secret meetings and coded language.
You see, when you’re accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression.
A simple, but heavy burden was placed on African Americans left with nothing after being freed. Because the Constitution allowed slavery, slavery is without a doubt one of the causes of the problems we have in the country today.
Devon, you ask, what do you mean? We’ve made strides. Black people are no longer slaves. Blacks are free to live wherever they want as long as they work hard and get a proper education. You just want to make everything about race.
My response to that is: What about the harm done by the war on drugs? The crack epidemic? Mass incarceration? Racial profiling? Welfare reform? Voter suppression? And that’s just to name a few. These problems stifle the gains made by African Americans in this country.
We’re still suffering the aftereffects of two powerful regimes that make up much of U.S. history, slavery and Jim Crow.
You see problems in the form of the prison population, in healthcare and life expectancy, in poor income and education. Today we have more African Americans under the criminal justice system than were slaves in 1850. That’s the real crime.
So pardon me if I look at this statue as just another way to preserve the White privilege in this country. The fact that it stands on a courthouse lawn where African Americans are often victims of injustice and made guilty before proven innocent is a travesty in itself. It speaks volumes to see this image before heading into that courtroom.
There are many people who don’t believe in equality, many people who believe there’s a natural order of things, and that Whites belong at the top. To some extent, I would say that we’re still fighting the Civil War and the South is winning.
This country has missed an opportunity to make a real difference on how we treat each other, and at times I’m unsure of how to stop the renewed hate that plagues this country. And even when you’re trying to heal from the aftereffects and talk about moving forward, it’s difficult when you see the images of police brutality, of young men being tased, thrown on the ground, and repeatedly kneed in the ribs. That happened in Ocean City just this week.
You see, we’re constantly reopening wounds of the injustice that surrounds us. We can’t escape it. And yet here we are forced to look at its roots on a public platform.
This statue does more than simply preserve history. This statue is a wound that will never heal as long as it stands on this courthouse lawn.
Where do we go from here? I see that Juneteenth is now an official national holiday. That’s great, but there’s way more to be done. We still need an executive order to stop killing us. We need to do something about policing in this country. As well as dealing with the issue of blocked reparations. So, yes, Juneteenth is something to celebrate, but let’s not lose sight of the massive amount of work that still needs to be done in this country.
I had the pleasure of working at the Talbot County Board of Education. They are open to having difficult conversations about race and how to move forward in this country, which I found to be refreshing and extremely important.
I applaud them for that. In Texas and Ohio, schools will lose funding if they teach children about social injustice and critical race theory. What demographic will you think that will affect? Again, this is a way of silencing and stifling change. But, it’s acceptable to teach about the Confederacy and slavery.
Talbot County, do you want this [gestures to statue] to be a representation of what this county stands for?
Devon Beck is a motivational speaker and hip hop artist. A native of the Eastern Shore, he received his undergraduate degree from UMES. A member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, he credits the organization with helping him to cultivate his leadership skills and a sense of social identity. After completing college, Devon began working in the school system as a teacher and staff person; during this time he started delivering motivational speeches to young people. Following the footsteps of those who came before him, he continues to be outspoken on issues affecting the black community.
Common Sense for the Eastern Shore
At Shore Progress’s monthly meeting last week, the tension between national politics and local opportunity was on full display. With President Donald Trump escalating his attacks on offshore wind, representatives from US Wind and the Oceantic Network made their case directly to members gathered in Salisbury. From the outset, the presenters stressed the scale of what’s coming to the Eastern Shore. “This project is the equivalent of building two nuclear power plants off our coast,” US Wind representative Dave Wilson said, pointing to plans for 114 turbines and four offshore substations. Together, he said, the project will generate two net gigawatts of clean energy, enough to power approximately 26% of the homes in Maryland. The presentation walked members through the timeline: a four-phase buildout beginning in the southeast corner of the lease area, with each phase, including its own export cable, routed through Indian River Bay into the regional grid at the Indian River Power Plant in Delaware. Environmental safeguards on display Slides showed how US Wind plans to minimize negative effects on wildlife. The company will use an aircraft detection lighting system to keep turbines dark until a low-flying aircraft approaches, reducing night-sky light pollution. Marine protections include bubble curtains to dampen noise during pile driving, visual and acoustic monitoring for whales, and strict shutdown zones if animals enter construction areas. Lights will be on less than 1% of the time in any given year, underscoring their view that offshore wind can coexist with migratory birds, commercial fishing, and marine transit. Economic promise for the Shore The discussion turned quickly to what the project means locally. US Wind pledged hundreds of jobs for the Shore, with commitments to use union labor and partner with minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses. Officials noted that the Lower Shore Workforce Alliance has already received $700,000 from Maryland Works for Wind to build training programs, while community colleges are adjusting trade curricula to educate the next generation of turbine technicians. A planned operations and maintenance facility in West Ocean City will house technicians and crew transfer vessels, bringing steady employment and infrastructure investment to the harbor. A national fight with local stakes The meeting didn’t shy away from politics. Several members noted Trump’s repeated attempts to derail offshore wind projects including his latest push to revoke US Wind’s federal permit. US Wind officials acknowledged that such lawsuits could delay progress but insisted that the project’s federal approvals are on solid ground. “This is the Eastern Shore's moment,” Shore Progress Chair Jared Schablein said, referring to a slide that showed more than $815 million in offshore wind investments statewide. “The question is whether politics will slow us down, or whether we keep building for the Shore’s future.” The presentation had a clear message: Offshore wind is not just about clean power, but also about jobs, investment, and opportunity for Eastern Shore families. Jan Plotczyk spent 25 years as a survey and education statistician with the federal government, at the Census Bureau and the National Center for Education Statistics. She retired to Rock Hall.
Standing at the Legacy at Twin Rivers apartment community in Howard County, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed an executive order aimed at addressing his state’s deepening housing crisis. Titled Housing Starts Here, his order is designed to accelerate construction of affordable homes and cut through what Moore called years of “no and slow” decision-making in state housing policy. Maryland is facing a shortage of at least 96,000 housing units, according to state estimates, a gap that officials say has driven up prices, pushed families out of the state, and stifled economic growth. “Building pathways to wealth for Marylanders, creating jobs, attracting new businesses and residents, growing our economy, and securing our future all start with housing,” Moore said at the signing. “We need to be the state of yes and now.” Five guiding principles The executive order lays out five core priorities for state housing policy: Use state land for housing . Agencies must identify surplus properties and land near transit stations that can be converted into new housing developments. Cut red tape. State permitting processes will be streamlined, with new rules allowing third-party reviewers to accelerate approvals. Strengthen partnerships. A new State Housing Ombudsman will serve as a liaison to help coordinate projects between state agencies, local governments, and developers. Set clear goals. By January 2026, the state will publish housing production targets for each county and update them every five years. Incentivize affordable housing. Jurisdictions that meet housing targets or pass pro-housing policies will be recognized with new Maryland Housing Leadership Awards, making them more competitive for state funding. Speed as the priority State officials said the new framework is focused on cutting delays that can hold back projects for years. By digitizing applications, engaging multiple agencies simultaneously, and allowing outside reviewers, the state aims to expedite project completion while upholding environmental and community standards. What could this mean for us on the Eastern Shore? Moore acknowledged that housing affordability consistently ranks as Marylanders’ No. 1 concern. For young people in particular, high costs and long commutes are major reasons they leave the state. The order seeks to reverse that trend, tying housing growth to job creation and transit access. On the Eastern Shore , where rental availability and starter homes are limited, Moore’s order could open opportunities for mixed-use, transit-oriented projects on state-owned land, as well as accelerate approval for affordable housing initiatives backed by nonprofits and local developers. What comes next The Department of Housing and Community Development will publish the state’s first set of production targets by Jan. 1, 2026, followed by annual progress reports starting in 2027. Agencies have until March 2026 to implement many of the new permitting and funding acceleration rules. Moore framed the executive order as a generational investment. “Making housing more affordable is not just about building shelter, it’s about building a legacy,” he said.
Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) has intensified her calls for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to step down, releasing a detailed report that she says proves his tenure has been a disaster for American families. The first senator to demand Kennedy’s resignation in May, Alsobrooks joined Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) in unveiling a 54-page report that chronicles what they describe as the “costly, chaotic, and corrupt” record of Kennedy’s first 203 days at the department. Released before Kennedy’s Senate hearing last week, the report outlines examples of alleged mismanagement for each day since he was sworn in on Feb. 13. “Robert Kennedy’s tenure as America’s chief health officer has been higher costs, more chaos, and boundless corruption,” Wyden said. “His actions are endangering children, leaving parents confused and scared, and forcing families and taxpayers to pay more for their health care.” Echoing that assessment, Alsobrooks cited testimony from scientists at the National Institutes of Health in Maryland who she says have watched critical cancer research grind to a halt under Kennedy’s leadership. “His actions are increasing Americans’ health care costs, causing chaos, and furthering the Trump administration’s endless stream of corruption,” she said. The report argues that Kennedy has: Driven up costs by backing the Trump administration’s budget plan, which Alsobrooks says strips health coverage from 15 million Americans while handing tax breaks to the wealthy and corporations. Created chaos by dismantling HHS programs, undermining research institutions, and promoting vaccine misinformation. Engaged in corruption by using the office to advance personal and family financial interests, particularly around limiting vaccine access. Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group, praised Alsobrooks’ leadership. “President Trump and Senate Republicans made a grievous error when entrusting Kennedy with our nation’s health,” the group said in. “It is far past time that President Trump rectifies this error by firing Kennedy before more lives are unnecessarily put at risk.” Alsobrooks appeared on the Morning Joe TV show on to discuss the findings and to reiterate her demand that Kennedy resign or be removed. “This is about protecting families and protecting science,” she said. “Our nation’s health system cannot afford another day under Robert Kennedy’s reckless watch.” As a community organizer, journalist, administrator, project planner/manager, and consultant, Gren Whitman has led neighborhood, umbrella, public interest, and political committees and groups, and worked for civil rights and anti-war organizations.
Wicomico County leaders have announced plans to move forward with the federal government’s controversial 287(g) program, entering into an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that would deputize local officers to serve immigration warrants inside the county jail. Under the model selected, known as the Warrant Service Officer program, specially trained deputies at the detention center would be allowed to serve civil immigration warrants on individuals already in custody. County Executive Julie Giordano and Sheriff Mike Lewis emphasized that deputies would not conduct street-level immigration enforcement. “Public safety is our top responsibility,” Giordano said. “The Warrant Service Officer program provides our sheriff’s office with the tools they need to address individuals already in custody who may pose a risk to our community at no additional cost to the county.” Lewis added that the program “gives our deputies the ability to safely and lawfully carry out their duties while ensuring that Wicomico County remains a secure place to live, work, and raise a family.” Community pushback The announcement drew swift opposition from civil rights and community organizations, including the ACLU of Maryland, the Wicomico NAACP, and local grassroots groups such as Crabs on the Shore, who have warned that the agreement will harm immigrant families, sow fear, and erode trust between residents and law enforcement. Opponents also criticized the process, arguing that the decision was rushed through without meaningful public input despite repeated calls for hearings. “This is being framed as an administrative detail, but it has huge consequences for our neighbors,” one advocate said. Concerns about cost and precedent Supporters of the WSO model have emphasized that the partnership comes “at no additional cost” to Wicomico taxpayers, but critics point out that other jurisdictions have found otherwise. Anne Arundel County canceled its own 287(g) agreement, citing high costs and community backlash. The Camden Police Department in Delaware withdrew from a similar partnership after public protests in May. Advocates note that the federal government does not fully reimburse counties for the time, training, and legal exposure associated with 287(g) programs, leaving local taxpayers to shoulder hidden expenses. First on Delmarva If finalized, Wicomico County would become the first government or police agency on the Delmarva Peninsula to formally enter into a 287(g) agreement with ICE. Supporters say that distinction demonstrates a commitment to accountability and public safety. Opponents warn it risks branding the county as hostile to immigrant communities that have long been central to the Shore’s workforce, particularly in poultry processing and agriculture. The county’s decision comes amid a broader national debate about local involvement in federal immigration enforcement, with critics warning that partnerships like 287(g) make communities less safe by discouraging victims and witnesses from coming forward. For now, the final agreement is pending federal approval. But with strong opposition already mobilized, the fight over Wicomico’s new partnership is likely only beginning.
Wicomico County Republicans have moved forward with an agreement to join the federal 287(g) program, aligning the county with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). County Executive Julie Giordano and Sheriff Mike Lewis are backing the program to train county officers at the detention center to help ICE identify non-citizens for deportation proceedings. The agreement has triggered strong pushback from immigrant advocates, civil rights groups, and community leaders who warn that this partnership will erode trust between residents and law enforcement, risk racial profiling, and allot local tax dollars to assist federal immigration enforcement. Yet amid the growing controversy, the Wicomico County Democratic Central Committee has issued no response to the ICE agreement, even as residents voice frustration that the Democratic establishment’s silence has ceded the conversation to Republicans. Moreover, the Central Committee has remained silent with regard to recent comments by Democratic Councilwoman April Jackson, who told the Washington Post that the poultry industry should reduce its reliance on immigrant workers. Jackson also said, “a lot of Americans aren’t employed because the Haitians are taking our jobs.” Jackson’s remarks have drawn widespread criticism from immigrant advocates. For many residents, the Democratic leadership’s silence is as much of a concern as the county government’s new partnership with ICE. As the county waits for federal approval of the 287(g) agreement, the absence of a Democratic counterweight has left immigrant families and community organizers to carry the opposition on their own.
With speculation mounting that Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes (D-37A) may run for County Executive for Wicomico County in 2026, the longtime Eastern Shore lawmaker will headline a Community Conversation in Dorchester County on Sept. 17 at 6 pm. Sponsored by the Eastern Shore Democrats, the event will give residents the opportunity to hear Sample-Hughes speak about local priorities — schools, public safety, health care access, and economic development in the mid-Shore. Sample-Hughes, former Speaker Pro Tem of the Maryland House of Delegates, has represented portions of Wicomico and Dorchester counties for more than a decade. Her record includes bipartisan work on district projects, as well as efforts to expand health services and invest in infrastructure. Although organizers emphasize that the Sept. 17 gathering is not a campaign event, the timing has fueled interest. Political observers note that any appearance by Sample-Hughes will be closely watched as Democrats weigh potential challengers for County Executive in the upcoming cycle. The forum will include remarks from the delegate, followed by a question-and-answer session. Seating is available first-come, first-served and residents from across the Shore are encouraged to attend. Key details What: Community Conversation with Del. Sheree Sample-Hughes When: Sept. 17, 6 pm Where: Dorchester County, venue to be announced by organizers. Format: Remarks followed by audience Q&A Before her election to the House of Delegates, Sample-Hughes served on the Wicomico County Council. Should she enter the county executive race, many believe she would be a serious challenger to Republican incumbent Julie Giordano.
