Illuminating the Past

N.Y. Times February 25, 2001

In the introduction to "Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American 
History Textbook Got Wrong", the historian James W. Loewen writes, "Those who 
don't remember the past are condemned to repeat the 11th grade." He goes on to 
explain how most history textbooks avoid controversial issues by substituting 
"reasoned judgements" on issues like the "displacement" (rather than "massacre") 
of Native Americans or slavery (sometimes referred to as "indentured servitude", 
depending on the race of the slaves in question). "History is furious debate 
informed by evidence and reason" Mr. Loewen states. "Textbooks almost never use 
the present to illumine the past".

Indeed, by sugarcoating the horrendous events of our past we detract from the 
likelihood of renewal for the present. As James Baldwin has stated, "American 
history is longer, larger, more various, more beautiful and more terrible than 
anything anyone has ever said about it."

The issue of how best to "illuminate the past" has presented itself in our own 
community of West Harrison, New York in the form of a simple African-American 
burial ground and some "furious debate" generated about it. The Stoney Hill 
Cemetery is a link to the existence of slavery and heroism in Westchester 
County. This small, overgrown and inconspicuous rural cemetery is the 
resting-place for at least thirteen African-American Civil War veterans and 
freed slaves.

In the late 1700's, the Quakers realized that slavery was inconsistent with 
their religious beliefs and gave land to their freed slaves to establish a new 
beginning. A school and a church were established, as well as the Stoney Hill 
Cemetery. For the congregation of Mount Hope A.M.E. Zion Church in White Plains, 
New York these departed souls are more than historical figures; they are 
ancestors.

The cemetery has been lovingly cared for by this congregation throughout its 
history, since the days Mt. Hope Church was known as the Asbury Colored People's 
Church, the foundation of which still exists close to Stoney Hill. No other 
group can approximate the level of caring and concern for this cemetery, because 
Stoney Hill is the heart and soul, the very heritage of the people of Mt. Hope 
A.M.E. Zion Church.

The Town Board of Harrison has voted 3-2 against granting Mount Hope Church a 
formal deed to this small parcel, for reasons yet to be clearly specified. The 
general feeling among the board members voting against Mt. Hope's request has 
been expressed as "Who are these people, and why should we give them this 
property?"

The surface issue is Mt. Hope's inability to produce a physical deed to "prove" 
its prior ownership of the cemetery. If a deed ever existed, it has been lost. 
Yet there is no question that Stoney Hill was in fact given to the ancestors of 
Mt. Hope Church.

What is truly at stake here is an opportunity. The Town of Harrison has a 
wonderful opportunity to "illuminate the past" and at the same time enhance the 
present for its citizens and for the larger community. Here in Harrison's own 
back yard is an historical and cultural treasure, whose history can serve to 
educate and elevate the consciousness of our children. Not only this, but here 
are the people of Mt. Hope Church with a deep-rooted love and dedication to this 
cemetery, fervently desiring to restore and preserve this historical site.

By withholding the deed to Stoney Hill, Harrison is not only morally at fault, 
but in essence contributing to the physical demise of the cemetery. Without a 
formal deed of ownership, Mt. Hope Church cannot secure the necessary grants and 
financing it needs to properly restore and preserve the site. The Town of 
Harrison has done bare minimal maintenance to these grounds over the decades. We 
are slowly losing a piece of history because of ignorance and bureaucracy.

It is long past time for the Town Board of Harrison to take the high ground and 
grant formal ownership of Stoney Hill Cemetery to Mount Hope A.M.E. Zion Church. 
The people of Mt. Hope and those souls laid to rest at Stoney Hill deserve more 
respect. The people of Harrison also deserve the honor of having this cemetery 
cared for and preserved with dignity.

Harrison's residents have waited patiently for their representatives to act in a 
manner that reflects our best selves. Let us seize this opportunity to 
illuminate the past in all of its fullness. By doing so, we challenge ourselves 
to confront history with honesty, remorse, and with dignity.