George Rhynes responds

George B. Rhynes (229-251-8645) 11 March 2004
5004 Oak Drive
Valdosta, Georgia 31605-1144

10 March 2004

Valdosta City Council & Mayor
Valdosta, Georgia 31601

SUBJECT: Response to Mayor & council Letter
(Verbal Address Before City Council)

Dear Mayor and Council

Yesterday, I received your response to my request---to retire the
historical City of Valdosta charter of 1860---to a location away from the
Municipal Courtroom. Where citizens come in hope of receiving respect,
and equal justice under the law in Valdosta, and the state of
Georgia----in the 21st Century.

In Paragraph 1, of your letter you said that the 1860 charter allowed
for the creation of our City, as it was developed by the state
officials, and our local forefathers---of that time.

Mr. Mayor, and Council----Webster’s Dictionary third edition defines
(forefathers) as a male ancestor. What ancestor male or female---would
want to control, enslave, suppress, and abate another human being.

a. ABATE means to beat down, reduce, moderate, diminish, and lessen.
We also find the word nuisances, being used—which means annoying or
obnoxious person or thing.

SECTION 11, of the charter says and I Quote! “The Mayor and Council
shall pass all proper and necessary laws, and ordinances for the control
of SLAVES, and FREE PERSONS OF COLOR, in Valdosta, and SUPRESS, and
abate all NUISANCES arriving from HOGS, DOGS, HORSES, or OTHER STOCK
straying at large in Valdosta, or from other causes.”

Mr. Mayor! You agreed with me that—we should not hide the facts of
history or deny that which has come before us. And that the same logic,
should be applied to the items displayed in City Hall for over 20 years.
In addition, that the 1860 charter is the City’s first charter, remains
a permanent record both in Valdosta, as well as in the “State Records
Archives,” and cannot be ignored.

Mr. Mayor and Council: Twenty (20) years is not a long time for us to
treat our neighbors as we ourselves wish to be treated by others.

It is recorded in the “Library of Congress,” that some of our
ancestors—first came to these shores in the year of 1555, 449 years ago, aboard
a slave ship called Jesus, captained by one White European named “Sir
John Hawkins.”

In the documented Archives of this nation, Blacks were treated worst
than live stock, called 3/5ths of a human being. In the charter outside
these doors, in Section 11, stipulates that they were to be controlled,
chained, suppressed, and totally humiliated before the world.

If these words were directed towards my “Jewish Brothers and Sisters,”
there would be no debate---today.

Mr. Mayor! You spoke of Archives in your letter! In our Archives, at
FAMU, in Tallahassee, just a few miles away, and many other
Institutions, Museums, and Libraries, around the world. There are millions of
documented artifacts, pictures of pain, and strange fruits that trees did
not produce.

So no human being of Black African decent should want those pictures
displayed upon these walls---if they offend, and inflicts pain upon
another human being or their children, perceived or real.

I presented you a winnable case, and in the not too distant future.
Men and women, of conscious will vote, and pass this historical document
on into the museum of antiques. You see, we are all pilgrims passing
through, and what we fail to correct---others will do!

Because Luke 4:18, must become real. Moreover, when truth, justice,
and equality come, that which is invalid like falsehood must vanish---and
falsehood is forever a vanishing thing.

After 20 years, I was presented this “Retirement Certificate from the
Armed Forces----for placing my life on the line for this Republic.

There is a seal on this Certificate, and there is a seal on the 1860
city charter---and as long as it is displayed----Paragraph 11, is a
constant reminder to all Black people that they are in the same paragraph:
Along with Hogs, Dogs, Horses and other beasts of the field.

Retire it—or leave it where it is! But our God has instructed us to
treat our neighbors-- as we ourselves would want to be treated.

My words probably will not change your mind or your conscious.
Nevertheless, the plumb line of justice will meet us all at the eternal
Council Meeting. I thank, God, for allowing me to stand for what I believe
to be both spiritually, and morally correct. Peace!


George B. Rhynes
A concerned citizens and brother of humanity!