Thank You Clemson City Council!
At one of the most turbulent times in American history, where we are faced with so much uncertainty and division, we look to our elected officials for guidance and for the restoration of the Country that we all love.
A moment when our country searches for answers and cries out to our leadership and demands that any man or woman sworn, be able to safely navigate our nation through any crisis or any storm. Someone that will protect us from any threat of any form, someone unwilling to fit in or conform, but one that is able to gently direct America back to its norm.
A leader with a multicolored heart that symbolizes All, one engulfed in American Pride and nothing to hide. One who equally governs and Guides and never chooses sides; when enraged citizens collide. One who will bring much needed unity to our most separated and segregated community.
Although we have great faith and trust in our elected officials, Black Americans must not forget to do our own part in researching, documenting, restoring ,preserving, and also in the creation of our own Black history.
While the countless fights continue in efforts to remove the thousands of offensive names, monuments, and memorials across the nation; Black Americans must understand that ultimately the responsibility is our own to continue to be the Innovators and the Creators of modern day marvels and glamorous gems celebrating and honoring people who have sacrificed and achieved greatness in the Black Community before us. We must then find creative ways to incorporate and add those contributions into modern day society, so that they are relevant and effective.
Black America must not wait for an invitation to be extended from leadership before we initialize the resurrection of Black History and decide to research, restore, and recreate significant moments and celebrate the incredible achievements of previous Black Americans. It is also necessary that we celebrate and honor the memory of those who have sacrificed and paid the ultimate price, while in pursuit of freedom. This is necessary so that the children of the minority are not continuously robbed of historic achievements and excluded from the history in which many of their ancestors have played a very pivotal role in creating.
It is the goal of The M.O.C.H.A Foundation to find Innovative, Creative, and Effective ways of incorporating and reconnecting Black History to it’s origins and/or to its American beginnings.
On September 24, 2020 The M.O.C.H.A. Foundation submitted a request/recommendation to The Mayor and The City Of Clemson (City Council) proposing an idea to add a name to a (currently nameless) walkover pedestrian bridge in the Historical African American community of Calhoun.
The name requested to be added to the walkover pedestrian bridge was Nancy Washington Legree, who is also my Great Grandmother and a woman that history could not omit from the story of the Calhoun’s history, in regards to the very beginnings of Clemson University. I found that my Grandmothers story was very a unique one with a deep connection to the Calhoun family while being enslaved at Fort Hill Plantation. Born into slavery in 1836, Mrs. Nancy Washington Legree was one of the very first to be enslaved at Fort Hill Plantation, home to the 7th Vice President of The United States of America, John C. Calhoun and several of the Calhoun family members. Mrs. Nancy Washington Legree outlived many of the people around her and was believed to be one the very oldest during and after the antebellum period, living to reach an impressive 105 years old. It should also be mentioned that Mrs. Nancy Washington Legree was respected by the Calhoun’s and she also resided at a distinguished place that was away from the others; according to several Clemson University history sources.
It was through the research of my family’s history that I first discovered that Mrs. Nancy Washington Legree was one of only two Black Americans whose story was impactful enough to be written and passed down alongside a man and his family which are celebrated for their achievements while residing at Fort Hill Plantation. How can we continue to celebrate the history or honor the memory of John C. Calhoun and his family, yet we continue to ignore the very woman in which the Calhoun’s chose to grant special privilege and favor while at Fort Hill Plantation.
It is Not the intent of The M.O.C.H.A Foundation to remove, replace, nor erase any piece of anyone’s history, however we ask that Nancy Washington Legree be seriously given strong consideration to be added to the (nameless) walkover bridge located in Clemson, SC.
We ask that if the legacy and the history is continued to be honored and remembered of John C. Calhoun that we allow the story in its entirety to be visible to all citizens by adding the name Nancy Washington Legree to a bridge that has been nameless since it was first constructed nearly a quarter century ago. This very rare walkover bridge was constructed to connect 2 Historically Black neighborhoods in the City of Clemson, South Carolina.
It is important to note that the request from The M.O.C.H.A. Foundation was immediately acknowledged, praised, and most importantly it was supported by a few members of the Clemson City Council. One anonymous Council member stated, “Naming the bridge The Nancy Washington Legree Bridge would be very appreciated and appropriate” while another councilman asked, what were the needs of The M.O.C.H.A. Foundation in order to promote and proceed with the dedication of the bridge, in memory of Nancy Washington Legree. The support from one Councilman has been astonishing and this member has already pledged full support and has even contacted and forwarded the proposal from The M.O.C.H.A. Foundation to the SC State legislative representatives. The remarkable leadership displayed by some at the City of Clemson along with their willingness to work with citizens for positive change should commended.
The M.O.C.H.A. Foundation firmly believes that our organization has presented a very compelling case for why Nancy Washington Legree’s name should be added to an unnamed walkover bridge in the Calhoun community of Clemson. It is also the desire of The M.O.C.H.A. to complete a mission to enhance the beauty of the land that surrounds the walkover bridge in the Calhoun community, by organizing a community committee which will be represented by a current resident of the Calhoun community. The committee chair will also serve as oversight over the direction, funding, and the future of The Calhoun community Renovations.
The M.O.C.H.A. Foundation was made aware that the City of Clemson had attempted to beautify the bridge by painting it 10 years ago and also by adding a retaining wall and new plantings to the immediate area. The M.O.C.H.A. Foundation wishes to now add a name that is very fitting to this very beautiful and historic community walkover bridge. We would also like to make other necessary improvements to this historical community, nevertheless we respectively put our trust and our faith in our elected officials and believe that they will not only speak it; but allow their actions to reflect the intentions spoken.
This is an enormous opportunity for the City of Clemson and the State Of South Carolina to be one of the very first in the nation to add history without the subtraction or the controversial removal of another mans legacy. We cannot allow this extraordinary moment to be diminished or devalued. The Men Of Color Having Answers Foundation has provided an Effective Solution that is sure to be welcomed by many seeking and searching to identify or to add to an already suppressed history.
In closing it is our hope that The M.O.C.H.A. Foundations proposal won’t be overlooked and that continued genuine efforts to name the walkover bridge will continue to move in a positive and a progressive manner. The M.O.C.H.A. Foundation ask that the City of Clemson and the State of south Carolina would expedite this matter and legitimately give consideration to the naming of the bridge.
Today, we are Calling Out while Calling On the City of Clemson and the State of South Carolina to give our black kids the same opportunities as other American citizens are afforded and allow a name that is worthy to be raised and remembered to be attached and rested high above Highway 123 in the Calhoun Community. For this is not a situation that requires delay because of research, removal, or relevance. Please Help us to remember and honor those who have been forgotten and erased from a history that has not been very inclusive or sensitive to the very people who were a colossal part of the foundation of a history that has been Hidden.
If you have been inspired by The Men Of Color Having Answers (M.O.C.H.A.) Foundation or if you would like to contribute to the Naming, Renovation, or the continued Research and Discovery of the Historic Calhoun community in Clemson, SC; then please ADD a contribution to the mission of The M.O.C.H.A. Foundation.
*WE WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE UPDATES ON THIS DEVELOPING SITUATION*
The M.O.C.H.A. Foundation is Delighted to have received communication from City of Clemson Administration (10/09/20) in regards to the intentions of The City of Clemson on moving forward and pledging support with the naming of the bridge in honor of Ms. Nancy Washington Legree. The M.O.C.H.A. Foundation is ecstatic about this Monumental news and our organization would like to thank The Great People of the City of Clemson for taking lead in the nation at a time when our nation searches for resolve. IT IS THE INTENTION OF THE M.O.C.H.A. FOUNDATION TO OFFER THIS GROUNDBREAKING SOLUTION TO AMERICA AT A TIME WHEN OUR COUNTRY IS IN NEED OF A MEDIATOR. ONE WHO SEARCHES FOR MIDDLE GROUND, WHEN ONLY CHOAS IS FOUND. THE MEN OF COLOR HAVING ANSWERS (M.O.C.H.A.) FOUNDATION SAYS TO AMERICA, WE CAN NOW ADD TO AMERICAN HISTORY WITHOUT THE REMOVAL OF ANOTHER MANS LEGACY! Thank You City of Clemson Leadership!
THE M.O.C.H.A. FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES WITH GREAT PLEASURE THAT THE FINE LEADERSHIP AT THE CLEMSON CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY PASSED THE LEGREE RESOLUTION ON 10/19/20. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES THAT WE HAVE, ONCE OPPORTUNITY IS MUTALLY AND EFFECTIVELY SOUGHT. THANK YOU CLEMSON CITY COUNCIL.
Please meet the “World Class Leadership” that enabled history to be made. These are our future leaders in a New Inclusive America!
Mayor: JC Cook, III Councilman: Robert Halfacre Councilwoman: Crossie Cox Councilman: John W. Ducworth Councilwoman: Alesia Smith
Councilman: Fran McGuire Councilman: Mark Cato