A coalition of African American groups in Maryland is advocating for the renaming of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge due to what they view as racist ties to Key’s legacy. The caucus includes organizations such as an NAACP chapter and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, and they have proposed renaming the bridge in honor of the late Rep. Parren Mitchell, the first African American elected to the U.S. House from Maryland. Key, the author of the national anthem, owned slaves and was quoted as expressing racist views, which has sparked controversy and led to calls for the bridge to be renamed.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore has stated that his focus is on providing closure to families affected by the collapse of the Key Bridge and rebuilding the structure, but he mentioned that there may be a discussion about renaming the bridge at a later time. The Caucus of African American Leaders believes that public structures funded by taxpayers should not bear the names of individuals who owned slaves, thus prompting their call for the Key Bridge to be renamed in honor of a civil rights pioneer like Parren Mitchell instead. Key’s legacy has been tarnished by accusations of racism, including quotes attributed to him that depict Black Americans as an inferior race, according to the Baltimore Banner.
Conservatives on social media have speculated about the potential renaming of the Key Bridge once it is reconstructed, citing past efforts to “cancel” Francis Scott Key due to his controversial past. Some have questioned what the new name for the bridge would be in light of these discussions. The dialogue around renaming the bridge has also been fueled by a pushback against a supposed racist quote attributed to Key, with the Star Spangled Banner Foundation disputing its accuracy and attributing it to a misinterpretation of historical sources.
The proposal to rename the Key Bridge has gained attention across political circles, with both Republican and Democratic candidates for various offices in Maryland being asked about their stance on the issue. However, responses from key figures, including U.S. Senate nominees and former NAACP president Rep. Kweisi Mfume, have not been provided at the time of publication. The concerns raised by the Caucus of African American Leaders reflect broader debates about the significance of historical figures with ties to slavery and racism, and the extent to which their legacies should be commemorated in public spaces like bridges and buildings.
The coalition’s efforts to rename the Key Bridge are part of a broader movement to confront racist symbols and legacies in public spaces, particularly in light of the racial reckoning following the murder of George Floyd and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. Calls for renaming buildings, streets, and monuments that honor individuals with racist histories have been growing across the country as communities grapple with how to address America’s troubled past. The renaming of the Key Bridge could serve as a symbolic gesture towards racial justice and inclusivity in Maryland, while also acknowledging the contributions of African Americans like Parren Mitchell to the state’s history and civil rights legacy.
As the debate over the renaming of the Key Bridge continues, it raises important questions about how communities choose to remember and commemorate their past, especially in relation to figures with problematic legacies. The proposal to rename the bridge reflects a broader effort to challenge historical narratives that glorify individuals who upheld racist beliefs and owned slaves. By advocating for the renaming of the Key Bridge, the coalition of African American groups in Maryland is pushing for a more inclusive and honest reckoning with the state’s history that acknowledges the contributions of marginalized communities and promotes a more just and equitable public space for all residents.
