If you have other comments and concerns about what is or is not appropriate for the African Burial Ground site, please tell us about them.

 
Public comments were submitted by people responding to exhibitions of the five final designs conducted by The National Park Service and the General Services Administration and also through the African Burial Ground web site. The comments were were gathered from September 7 through October 8, 2004.

You may jump to a specific set of responses by selecting from the list below:

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
Federal Building, 290 Broadway
Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center, Staten Island
Brooklyn Historical Society
Bronx Community College
Langston Hughes Community Library & Cultural Center, Queens
Electronic Responses

 
Responses submitted at Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture:
 
• Outstanding. Make sure this area is subway, bicycle and car friendly, so that it’s easy for all populations to get to.

• The overall design of each presentation is compelling. Each has significant contribution. The choice was not easy. Whatever design is finally chosen will do honor to the Ancestors. Thanks. Peace

• As the process moves forward, it would be beneficial to consider including photographs based upon the architect’s renderings for a brochure to accompany the memorial. Such a brochure with historical text would be a wonderful “keepsake” from the memorial.

• Ample space for people to reflect and contemplate would be useful.

• In the final selection, please keep in mind the purpose Dr. [Sherril] Wilson’s (et.al.) symbolizes. To have the burial ground acknowledged at all is an achievement in and of itself.

• It should be a public memorial that encourages people to stop and think, not a park where people stop and play.

• Circle of unbroken

• Material could be available (similar to poster near entrance) containing information re: African Burial Ground!!

• The African Burial Ground is very small so it should not be cluttered (except by visitors). A hurried view from the street is very important to me as I pass the site often. I would like to see something (on the sidewalk) that would cause me a pause for a moment). 2) Keep up the good work. How can I help? [provides name and phone number]

• This is a burial ground. There should be limited access. It is not a park. You want to keep an atmosphere of sacredness and respect.

• You should have assigned numbers or list them in order of appearance.

• How to mark the full extent of the African burial ground that extends for many blocks

• Please consider a doorway that reflects “ye who enter shall never return” as written on the door at Gove [sic] Island

• From a personal perspective, this observer is currently suffering from memorial overkill. Instead of focusing so much on death and dying (really depressing), it is suggested that we focus on LIFE and the LIVING. It is eminently joyful and much less expensive. At this writing (9/2004) the African Burial Ground features a utilitarian but informative sign positioned on a natural carpet of brilliant green grass. In this undisturbed state the site remains peaceful and serene, despite being enclosed by a forbiddingly high fence. Why not commission an imaginative artist/calligrapher to redesign the sign 9using the existing information), decrease the fence height (for psychological access) and leave the plot as it is? Its time to “Keep Off the Grass” and MOVE ON. Thank you for allowing us common folk to express our opinions.

• They’re all beautiful and expressive

• Nothing should be constructed here. There has been enough desecration! Shame!

• I most certainly will. [contact information available on bottom of sheet]

• I want a statue that has a past to present type of thing with a sign that says “past-present.” On the side that says past are some of the Africans and on the present side have it show tomb stones.

• All the other are too removed-abstract and lacking “the story” “our story.” We should not insult our ancestors by making small of their suffering. There has been non like it!!!

• When you see these designs you understand why so many folks are against putting anything on top of the cemetery. (People are buried here!) There is too much lack of respect here.

• My primary concern is the architect be of African-American descent.

• I am in general not a big friend of memorials, so I don’t know what to answer. I think many people don’t know what to do or to think of [?] a building. I think its much more important to inform and educate people than to leave them alone with a memorial. A compromise could be a museum with integrated learning center and a quiet memorial place.

• Design should be simple: rocks trees, flowering plants.

• I think the design should be SIMPLE with trees, flowering plants, and rocks or pebbles. Perhaps an eternal flame. No contemporary design! Consider the Peace park in Pretoria, South Africa.

• I am German, so I don’t know if my opinion matters. It is interesting to see though how this community/country deals with their history. Putting up a memorial site for a genocide and the artistic approach. In Berlin the holocaust memorial which is just being put up looks so different to the designs of this exhibition. Different approaches toward awareness.

• No expense to be spared. I would like to see next to or not far from a spring of running water. Very neat not too heave symbolizing libations, spiritual cleansing, not a wishing well. Thank you

• Any design with too free public access or too open access would not work well in this city. People mean well, but people will be people. In 2-5 years we wouldn’t recognize the place.

• There must be public access, yet the sacredness of the ground must be maintained. There can, or course, be no eating, drinking, smoking, profane music, or other distractions.

• Too bad segments from each design can’t be combined; that would be phenomenal

• I would like to see the implementation of intensive tree planting along all streets and in all available outdoor public areas to mark the full vicinity of the African Burial Ground that is currently hidden by urban development—As proposed by Groundworks.
 
 
Responses submitted at the Federal Building, 290 Broadway:

• To [sic] it is current for one purpose of the site. [contact information provided] God has blessed me to see 84 years.

• I did not see in any of the designs the incorporation of the many names the Africans called the creator by. As there were many different groups from West Africa, they all had names for the creator/god. And he is prominent in all the African’s prayers monotheistic or not.

• With humility and due respect I beg to submit that a large number of my African brothers who were brought here in chains, were Muslims in faith. To show respect to those brothers who were tortured and were tore apart from their families by force, and design we choose, should have a touch of Islamic faith. Remember, in those days the more slaves one owned, the higher position one held in that unjust society. Islam was the only advocate of freedom. As an act of piety, the Companions of Mohammed used to buy the slaves to set them free for the sake of ALLAH. Bilal was one of those freed slaves who acquired a prominent position among the Companions of The Prophet. The Glorious Quran is full of those versus which advocate the equality of human beings. Any such verse can be selected to be inscribed on the wall of the chosen design by consulting a Muslim scholar, say at the mosque located in Manhattan at 3rd Ave / 97th St. With best regards.

• Need to insure there is adequate security to avoid malicious damage to which ever design is used. In addition, there should be lighting included. Some of the models provided a detailed description of what each area symbolized. Others (in Rodney Leon) gave a brief description however, the Symbolism was obvious. All others had no description (in Eustace Pilgrim and Christopher Davis) makes one wonder how important the design was to the artist.

• Would like that the design use the past, present and future – our struggle continues – reparation has not been satisfied.

• The form’s set up is very confusing and annoying because it does not synchronize with the actual names of the designs—which themselves are not prominently displayed, if at all

• I feel we should not have anything on top of the burial ground site. Please go back to the drawing board.

• Which of these firms are black-owned? Are there plans for a museum?

• Thank you for all the hard work all involved have put in.

• Hopefully, the designers could collaborate and borrow suggestions for change from each model and incorporate them into a new design.

• When you start planting, digging or painting, I want to help. I use this area as my church now. Thanks, [left contact information]

• I did not have enough time because the building closed too early for people who work ‘til 5pm.

• The plaque that was given by the Chief of Nigeria should be mounted and placed on the Ground. It should be standing upright where it can be read.

• The burial site above all must show respect and reverence for the struggles [of] the people who are interred there. It must clearly show that they were/are an African, not African American people. The site should have areas for prayer, meditation and to pay respect to the ancestors.

• None of the designers have a single symbolic natural instrument to focus the attention, respect and [not completed]

• Commenting is hard since these are not all well-labeled!

• Regardless of which design is chosen, I ask that the final design include shelter/enclosement to protect visitors during cold and wet seasons. Also, some may only have a brief moment at an off-peak time to stop at the site, so maybe a lit wall/section that faces the street and allows a visitor to reflect or something else. I am not sure that the site will be accessible 24 hrs/ 7 days. Maybe wall with water. Also, I ask that any design chosen be handicap-friendly. Thank you!

• Public should have access to the site for ceremonies. Include trees and foliage throughout the area.

• Designs are great

• It’s a toss up between McKissack & Groundworks. Excellent design collaboration? To combine the 2?

• Good job! Excellent. Keep the public more informed

• Do not put any development on top of the interred 419 ancestors! Also, good symbolism, but [not] disturbing the burial ground again by excavating the design into the ground

• America needs to do more to unite its people and the world

• Why can’t we (blacks) for once have a memorial that really pays tribute to those who have come before us and represents our culture and history? Think about it, the only design that states African Burial Ground is the one by Rodney Leon and I would like to say, thank you.

• There should be a tree planting project (as Groundworks proposed) that outlines the parameters of the original “Negro” Burial Ground (as outlined on a NY City map drawn in 1763.

• Seeing these designs in all the graphic intangibles inappropriateness attests to the wisdom and advice of the elders who have opposed any further intrusion or desecration of this sacred ground. There is so much intrinsic disrespect to the site and those buried here that one can only pray that none of these proposals will go forward, for this represents an extraordinary degradation of humanity. Clearly, the powers that be continue to have a disgraceful lack of respect for the public and concerned citizens and they fully deserve all the contempt thrown on their maneuvering. Charles Rangel often stated that this place is important to American history, although it is clear that a heavy anti-American, afro-centric bias informs many of the designs and ignores the significance of this place to American history. One hopes most sincerely that someone will step in to stop this shameful process.

• All the designs should have been in better light. Some of the designs seem to be in shadow. I would not use electric light at the burial site because the building will have light.

• It’s very important to have good, explanatory signage. While I thought that the writing on the memorial itself in one design was overkill and will become dated/boring, perimeter/entrance signs are needed. And, as part of maintenance such signs should be undated periodically (They should also list a historical contact person—or at least website—and a maintenance contact person.)

• All designs need to make the entrance inviting, not forbidding. People need to have place to sit, to chat, to contemplate; needs to provide some shade by trees.

• All of these are terrible; an insult to human dignity. The existing lawn is better without pedestals

• Not enough information for S.I. But one day before we live on the Moon you’ll find Staten Island.

• 22 Reade Street stand atop the city…has had physical problems. The City Planning Department and Commission are seeking a new home…maybe the building site can be incorporated into the complete memorial…Pilgrim-Davis design also screen the parking lot on Elk to create a connection with City Hall Park.
 
 
Responses submitted at Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center,
Staten Island:

• Design that is appropriate is one with true feeling and intense depth and feelings for the sacred burial ground that represents African love and feelings for the people.

• I don’t like any of them, you should start all over.
 
 
Responses submitted at Brooklyn Historical Society:

• After examining the five finalist, not one expressed any caring feeling for the poor slaves and bones bury in the African burial ground. They are all cold looking and no respect of our ancestors. I think they are just horrible. I can’t figure, what is the rush? These bones belonged to people that was brought and sold here against their will. They deserved something beautiful and peaceful. These finalist has not produced anything to give tribute to the slaves, just money seeking parasites. 1. We need something moving with water and rocks in a fountain surrounded by a circle of beautiful floral designs. 2. The gate should be decorated with African symbols around the entire grounds. 3. A permanent gold chain across the area where the bones were placed in the ground. 4. The garden area should have stone carved Ashanti stools to sit and say a pray[er]. 5. The back side of the grounds should have a dense row of shrubs or low trees. This is not just black or African history, this [is] American history and the world needs to know the whole story. We need a museum with facts, exhibition, [lectures?] from Wall Street to Canal Street. I strongly advise that the project be put on hold until every church, school, colleges, business has voice their feeling of how we want to pay tribute to these African slaves. There is no rush to honor the dead. Let’s do the right thing. I think the public needs more time to be educated about African Burial Ground and the history behind this site. Please postpone these so-call memorials now. Let the people suggest and send in designs

• Your labeling is inadequate! Architect names are not clear on all designs!

• I am an African American landscape architect and would like to offer my assistance in the final decision in the selection of one of these designs. If assistance is needed please feel free to contact me; [provides name, number & e-mail address]

• Must be reflective of the Africans who were buried on this site.

• Want to see something of these people’s lives

• I feel that some sites—McKissack & McKissack’s lawn and Groundworks’ fence are not relating, that people who visit aren’t artists, architects and scholars. They need direct content areas like DePace—direct viewing to draw them from street inside fencing.

• The final design should include open sky above the graves, areas where we who visit can sit and meditate, symbols of remembrance (as in the DePace and Groundworks designs.

• Building up the space too much seems like a mistake to me.

• Thanks for the opportunity

• Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the designs. Also—whichever design is selected I hope it will really emphasize in some way that slavery was practiced for over 150 years in the North and that the North was complicit in so many ways; slave trade; use of southern cotton in northern textile mills; banks and insurance companies, etc. There are virtually no sites that educate he public about the North’s role in slavery, so this is a major opportunity.

• The design by Rodney Leon/AARIS Architects is acceptable, but I think that the mosaic “Free at Last” should be added. I feel form deep within my heart that not one of these designs submitted show or tell the truth of the disgrace, shame horror and hell that we as Africans have endured. The grass is fake, the altar is fake. I want to feel the all natural essence of Life.—real grass, flowers, trees. I would like to be contacted about this contest. Please write or call [provides contact information]
 
 
Response submitted at Bronx Community College:

• We certainly would have enjoyed equal explanation for all the designs. Mc Kissack tells none, DePace give extensive explanation, or that is what’s shown. We certainly hope the public is actually encouraged to attend, perhaps with 1/10 investment given for entertainment, lobbying, etc, trips and dinners.
 
 
Responses submitted at Langston Hughes Community Library & Cultural Center, Queens:

• The design should tell the story of the significance of the site. I think the Rodney Leon design does this the best.

• Get the word out. I would like to help construct it. Every African American should have a piece in its construction even if it’s laying 1 concrete block. Thank you for the presentation

• Maybe the winning design should have a theater for a little movie about what you are looking at.

• I really love this one with the flowers, little water flowing through and green grass. It feels free. Needs to represent Africans= feeling of freedom.
 
 
Electronic Responses:

• I love all the ideas for this memorial for our people. We, as African Americans need to recapture who we are. The Jews recapture their struggles with a holocaust museum. Why can’t we! Therefore, I commend you on this project for the enrichment of our people.

• Thank you for all the hard work all involved have put in.