From the desk of

THOMAS DE SENO
p. 848-459-6504 DeSeno@msn.com f. 732-807-7294
_____________________________________________________________________________
March 11, 2018

Hon. John Moor

Asbury Park Municipal Building
1 Municipal Plaza
Asbury Park, NJ 07712

Re: PROPOSAL TO ERECT A STATUE OF REV. J.FRANCIS ROBINSON

Dear Mayor Moor,

As you know, periodically headlining the news is a continuing

conversation between the activist group Help Not Handcuffs,
headed by our friend Randy Thompson, and The Asbury Park
Historical Society, headed by our friend Don Stine. It is the
same conversation occurring countrywide, as our nation decides
whether to keep statues of men, who despite other
accomplishments, were actively involved in civil rights
violations.

Help Not Handcuffs wishes to remove the statue of city founder

James Bradley from Bradley Park, citing his segregationist
policies that split the City white from black at Railroad
Avenue. That segregation caused strife in both reality and
perception, lasting even now.

The Historical Society makes the case to keep Bradley’s statue.

While conceding the segregation prevalent in America back then,
and in Asbury Park birthed not by the demands of Bradley but by
tourists, they wish to preserve his accomplishments as city
founder, architect, statesman and designer of the modern
American idea of respite and vacation.

Both arguments are valid. As sometimes happens when living in a

plurality with varied opinions, the City Council faces a
Hobson’s Choice - an all or nothing decision. Choosing here
means siding against someone whose view is as worthy as the
other.

It occurs to me there is a third choice; one that will satisfy

both views and allow no one to lose. Such is always a goal for

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your City Council. I propose to you the idea of erecting a
statue of Rev. J. Francis Robinson next to the statue of founder
Bradley. Please bear with me as I advocate for the Council’s
intercession below.

Introducing Rev. J. Francis Robinson

The Reverend J. Francis Robinson was a contemporary of James

Bradley and a leading voice against Asbury Park segregation. He
hosted rallies to oppose civil law distinctions on the basis of
skin color called “indignation meetings.” He created a form of
protest at the beach called “the wade-in,” a precursor to the
“sit-in” that was popularized 80 years later in the 1960s. A
“wade-in” was blacks in Asbury Park refusing to accept Bradley’s
prohibitions of them at the beach, where they waded into the
ocean en masse and lay upon the sand. His life correlates Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr., although while King was the most
important man of our time, Robinson was well ahead of his.

Robinson was born in Virginia in 1862, then from age 12 reared

in New York City. He was a talented musician and singer. He
became a preacher and studied theology at Centenary Biblical
Institute (now Morgan State University)in Maryland.

His ministry brought him to Asbury Park with the African

Methodist Episcopal Church. Interestingly, the founder of the
AME church, Richard Allen, was ordained the first black
Methodist Bishop by Francis Asbury, for whom our beloved City is
named.

If Your Honor and the Council decide to celebrate Robinson with

a statue, I present to you an amalgam of Robinson’s words for a
plaque, which are so beautiful you won’t find their equal today:

“Attack all class legislation and race distinction where

Photo Credit Cornell
University
the statutes of citizenship and of good behavior introduce
the common right. The man who advocates the
separation of whites and blacks from the equal
enjoyment of civil prerogatives solely on the grounds of
color places himself in a position to be questioned as to
his patriotic proclivities and the genuineness of a
Republic form of government. We colored people fought
for our liberty some year ago, and we do not propose to
be denied it at this late date. We will not be dictated to in
this manner by Mr. Bradley or any other man. The colored
man contributes largely to the wealth of this country,
including the town of Asbury Park, and we are here to
stay. We fought to save the Union as the white man did.
This country is for the whites and blacks alike, including
even the beach of Asbury Park.”

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Note well that Robinson seeks no victory or dominance over
another; he speaks only of equality.

One of the objections of Help Not Handcuffs is that there is no

plaque describing Bradley, and they are correct. If a Robinson
statue is erected with the above plaque, another plaque could be
installed on Bradley’s statue lauding his many achievements.
The Asbury Park Historical Society is ideally suited to draft
the language on a Bradley plaque. Between the two statues, a
more complete history will be evident.

REASONS FOR ERECTING A STATUE OF ROBINSON

When one considers the policy of Bradley (racial segregation)

versus the policy of Robinson (racial integration)it is obvious
that Robinson’s view prevailed. Each of us rejects segregation
and wishes to live our lives with integration and equality. So
we must posit this question to ourselves: Why does Asbury Park
have a statue commemorating the man whose policy we reject and
abhor, and no statue celebrating the man whose policy we accept
and adore? The statue of Robinson will repair our prior
indiscretion.

Consider what this expression will say of Asbury Park to the

rest of America. Mayor, you and I both lived through stretches
of Asbury Park history where we lacked the power to control our
own narrative. We were defined by others, who highlighted only
our worst moments. Here is the chance to define ourselves. Let
us be compared favorably to Charlottesville, to Baltimore and
other places where white and black are killing one another over
bigotry and sadly, even statues. Let America see Asbury Park’s
true aesthetic - white and black people performing a powerful
symbolic gesture that recognizes our equality, our compassion
and love for one another. America is longing for that. Normally
we see empty promises of coming together in response to each
tragedy. Consider this as Asbury Park’s obligation to direct
America to a moment where we achieve our greatest image of
ourselves by our own volition, not prompted by guilt after one
of man’s racial catastrophes.

For the Asbury Park Historical Society, this statue will further
their mission of preserving our past and educating future
generations about or storied history.

I’ve left the most important reason for last, and it is personal
to Asbury Park’s Westside. Dark City as it is sometimes called,

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has been one of the poorest black communities in the country for
nearly a half century. These are not the people normally who
get the breaks. Every oppressive accoutrement of poverty,
regardless of cause, has been a daily challenge to the Westside
community that others never face.

Mayor, I have seen your City Council pay more attention to the
Westside than any other since 1970, from your efforts at
economic vitality, to new construction, to the introduction of
the arts and performances on that side of the tracks. Yet we
need to end the phrase “that side of the tracks” and make us
one.

While no one thing is a panacea to all problems, recall that

symbolism is important to the human spirit and and often a
prelude to more concrete action. Symbols play an important role
in the most emotional areas of our lives, from religion to
patriotism. So I propose giving Asbury Park’s black community
the soul-strengthening good that can come from this symbol.
Please give them this moment in time that recognizes the
segregated past and confirms their equality now on the Eastside
of Asbury Park, while announcing the death of Bradley’s
east/west split. Give them a victory without them having to
fight for it. Let them experience winning in the social sector
and the joy that comes with an expression of love from
neighbors.

Production and placement of the Statue

All of the important symbolisms must be maintained.

Robinson’s statue must be on the Eastside with Bradley and not

on the Westside, as his struggle was for acceptance of blacks in
the east and all public spaces where white people were in
standing. His coordinates should place him as far east as
Bradley.

Robinson’s statue must be neither in excess of nor diminutive to

Bradley’s statue, rather a reflection of perfect equality.

Bradley’s statue is a superior work of art and a precise

likeness of him. Robinson’s statue must be crafted with similar
exactness to his likeness by an artist proven in such work, and
the material used be on equal level as well.

As to the producers, I suggest the City appoint a committee made

up of Help Not Handcuffs and The Asbury Park Historical Society,

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which itself will be a gesture of the Asbury Park community
coming together to do something grand. Others who wish to be
join and help should be allowed. The statue will become the
property of the City, thus the committee should be advisory,
with all decisions on production and style ultimately resting
with the City Council.

As to cost, I suggest no government entity should pay for it.

Public art is an expression of community standard. Those in the
American community who care for equality will donate through the
fundraising efforts of the aforementioned production committee.

Of course I’m ahead of myself here. First the City Council

should take the temperature of the community to determine if
this undertaking is one that Asbury Parkers wish to endeavor. I
suggest a series of charrettes be held, perhaps at council
meetings and other places of community gatherings, so people can
be informed and the Council can hear from them. Perhaps put
administration of these informationals in the hands of the
aforementioned committee.

Conclusion

In an interesting twist, after leaving Asbury Park, Reverend

Robinson eventually ministered in Charlottesville, Virginia, the
same town where Heather Heyer was killed last year over the same
debate – removal of a statue. Between his connection to Francis
Asbury, his shaping of the debate in Asbury Park, to his
eventuality in Charlottesville, it appears Providence has left
us clues urging Asbury Park to build a healing statue to
Reverend J. Francis Robinson. Let Asbury Park lead the nation.

Politics is a tiny part of who we are – never let it stop you

from enjoying the rest of a person.

Respectfully submitted by your friend,

Tommy De Seno