We live in an age of being offended. If someone is offended by anything in the public sphere, then authorities often have to fix it. An example is taking down a statue of a Confederate hero because it might offend someone who doesn’t want to be reminded of slavery 150 years ago.
Or changing the name of a city such as New York, because York was an Englishman who had slaves. And Stokes, who would not allow blacks, Jews and Catholics into town, could be viewed as being biased, and thus some might be offended by his statue on Ocean Pathway.
Sometimes responding to such a complaint seems justified, while others seem unreasonable and even harmful.
In OG’s Firemen’s Park is a symbol of liberty: It is a bell with an eagle on top. For some in the Grove it is a symbol of departed firemen. But whichever definition is embraced by Grovers, neither meaning would likely offend anyone, and the bell would remain.
But the placement of the bell imprisoned by an ominous black fence with sharp points facing upward and dangerous shrubs with needles protruding might remind some of being in captivity. It might even intimidate and frighten children.
The Nazis imprisoned innocent people behind ominous black fences, and that included gypsies, Jews, gays, Adventists, mentally ill, Soviet POW’s and sick Poles. Those prisoners wound up being murdered.
So I find that fence to be offensive. We should not celebrate public displays that might remind some of our friends and neighbors of such horrors.
Please Mr. Mayor—take it and those horrid bushes away, and open access to that liberty bell for all to enjoy and interpret in a positive way. And surround it with flowers turning it into a welcoming happy setting —an inoffensive symbol of liberty.
Paul Goldfinger, MD, Editor@Blogfinger.net
BIRDY “Not About Angels” From a movie The Fault in Our Stars
1) Jack Bredin – thank you for your unending fact checking
2) PG: Excellent idea! Let’s get with the times! (“I propose, that this park be called the “Ocean Grove Peoples Park” to honor all our town’s heroes such as: law enforcement, suffragists, health workers, volunteers, firemen,historians, lifeguards, artists, and any else who can be called heroes in Ocean Grove.”)
3) PG: Amen, amen, amen. “The CMA should get out of the business of scheduling such events in public spaces even if they do own the land. There are more people in this town than just the Camp followers.” I venture to say their “Camp followers” has dwindled in numbers enormously these days.
Dr. Hart: Surely you have heard of freedom of speech, so your demands that I “cut you a break” or “leave this alone” or “let it remain the silent tribute” are all useless ravings.
Not only am I not going to take your advice, but there is more to this topic than you think:
Firemen’s Park had two other historic names prior to this one, so the idea that this park is endowed by the Creator to honor only firemen is just not so.
In my opinion it is time to to rename this park so that it might honor more than deceased firemen.
I propose that this park be called the “Ocean Grove Peoples Park” to honor all our town’s heroes such as: law enforcement, suffragists, health workers, volunteers, firemen, historians, lifeguards, artists, and any else who can be called heroes in Ocean Grove.
It could also be a place to have demonstrations and protests to exercise our rights of free speech in the spirit of those patriots who would stand on soap boxes and harangue a crowd. And don’t forget the Boston Tea Party, an event that was a protest.
Let’s rid ourselves of apathy and instead use this park to speak truth to power.
If you want to speak in the park, let Blogfinger know, and we will find an audience.
A Park Commission could be appointed to schedule cultural events that we all can enjoy such as art shows, poetry readings, pet parades, small concerts, readings, yoga, classes, and more.
The CMA should get out of the business of scheduling such events in public spaces even if they do own the land. There are more people in this town than just the Camp followers.
And the fence and brambles should be removed and shipped to Pennsylvania for Dr. Hart to use for his “silent tributes.” And please remove the tombstones. Our public parks should not be cemeteries, and all monuments to the dead should be removed from around town.
The bell should stay to remind visitors of our greatest gift in America—the gift of liberty.
Power to the people.
Dr Hart,
No one is saying to do anything to the bell, just to remove the fence that prevents people from enjoying the beauty and openness of the park
Penny of Mt Hermon
The park is OGCMA property.
Mayor Lane has nothing to do with the fence.
The park is not listed on the Township’s Recreation and Open Space Inventory.
The bell is designed like the bell of a fire engine. Not the Liberty bell cut me a break leave this alone. Let it remain the silent tribute that it is to ALL firefighters past present and future. Former firefighter
Rockledge Pa.
Susan: No fence is needed to “keep vandals from spray painting on the bell.”
Why is there no fence around Stokes’ statue or around the Liberty Bell?
Take a walk at Gettysburg or at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia where there are many statues. There are no fences to protect against vandals.
In OG, where is the fence around the newly restored fountain in Founders Park?
I assumed the fence was there to keep vandals from spray painting on it.
FREE THE BELL!
The eagle on the top of the bell was vandalized several times.