Cambridge looks back on racial past

A discussion panel has been diving into the Civil Rights Movement in Cambridge. This past week they spoke at both high schools in Dorchester County. Saturday they spoke at the Heritage Museums and Gardens of Dorchester.

The panel touched on topics such as the Civil War on Race Street, The National guard’s occupation of Cambridge, and the decision to segregate the Eastern Shore city.

Audience members learned how demonstrators worked to ease Cambridge and Dorchester County into compliance and good race relations.

“I am so happy that we are doing this and especially for young people, that they need to know where they came from,” said panel member Herschel Johnson.

While at the event 47 ABC also asked members of the panel what they think of Black Lives Matter protests and other protests that are currently going on.

Members said that as long as there is democracy there will be protests.

They say times are different, but movements such as Black Lives Matter are fighting for similar things.

As it pertains particularly to last years riots in Baltimore, the panel said violence does nothing but distract you from your cause.

“Being destructive it doesn’t help anything whatsoever, and in most cases, here in Cambridge it was the black community that suffered because of the violence and the destruction,” said panel member Bill Jarmon.

The panel says they plan on continuing to have these discussions.

For information call 410.228.7953 or email dchs@verizon.net.