1992 – 2022 : Personal Accounts and Reflections
Prepared by Gary Honeman, Current Chair 2021-2023
Materials and history provided by Virginia Harrison, a continuous and active member for 30 years.
Artwork —>
by Carroll County High School Student, March 2000
It may be hard to believe that in 1992 the Ku Klux Klan marched on Main Street in Westminster, and took up space in the adjacent public library. Their presence and literature prompted a group of religious and community activists to form an organization aimed at denouncing hate group activity while promoting racial equality and justice.
The group came to be known as Carroll Citizens for Racial Equality (CCRE).
“We didn’t have a grand plan when we started working on what would become CCRE- we just knew that we needed to take a stand and speak up for equality in Carroll County. I am beyond thrilled that CCRE is celebrating its 30th anniversary! You all have been doing incredible work in recent years.”
The early Years
In the “early years” (1990’s), the group worked collaboratively with Baltimore based “Interfaith Action for Racial Justice” to encourage predominately white and black churches to “pair and care” for one another.
“[We] paired participants in inter-racial dialogue, study, and action. Reconciliation remains – to me – the heart and soul of good citizenship and personal religious conviction. I am so grateful for the chance to share this work with so many others.”
- John Springer, a founding member of CCRE
Image: Joan Carter Rimbach – left; Christy Waltersdorff – right.
Student Conferences and WorkING With Carroll County Public Schools
Also, for the first 15 years (1992-2007), the organization held annual student leadership conferences where middle and high school students were given the opportunity to talk about structural and interpersonal racism.
“Community and School was my primary focus during the years of 2008 – 2010 when I served as Chair of CCRE. We sponsored forums with guest speakers to discuss diversity and inclusion; Collaborated with Carroll Media Center; Met consistently with the CCPS Superintendent about enhancing diversity and inclusion; co-sponsored with CCRE the middle and high school multicultural institute for 20 years; so-sponsored family forums; met with Principles; influenced policy and curriculum with the office of Equity and Community Outreach; Presentations at School Board meetings; and collaborated with the Human Resource Department to assist with minority hiring.”
The Conferences spurred students to form multi-cultural clubs at their respective schools and fostered a long history of shared values and programmatic goals between CCRE and Carroll County Public Schools.
“In 1998, I developed and was the President of MPI Minority Community Outreach Program to bridge the gap of disparities in hiring and maintaining minorities in the Carroll Co. Public School System. One of the first tasks was to address the issues of disparities, lack of services for minorities, and bringing awareness to the community of the importance of diversity... I was fortunate enough to partner with CCRE and we immediately organized activities, such as the Recognition Celebration, local activities in the CCPS, network and support other organizations, such as NAACP, local churches, and local events and training. Without CCRE it would have been difficult to achieve some of the goals and achievements for equality. I applaud CCRE for providing the services to the Carroll Co. community.”
Our first conference for the general public…
The culmination of the first 20 years was celebrated in 2012 with the first adult Conference that featured a panel presentation and keynote speaker E. Keith Colston, executive director of the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs and a member of the Maryland Tuscarora and Lumbee tribes.
The panel discussion included five original CCRE members of CCRE including (from left-to-right): Gary Honeman, Virginia Harrison, Pastor Robert Walker (Union Street United Methodist Church 1996-1999), John Springer (Interfaith Action for Racial Justice), and Fran Bartlett (Retired Educator, below image, in center).
To continue improving racial relationships in the county, CCRE worked closely with organizations such as The Human Relations Commission, NAACP, and Carroll County Public Schools.
Image (left-to-right): Virginia Harrison, Fran Bartlett, and Gary Honeman at the Human Relations dinner honoring Fran.
The next decade starting in 2012…
in the words of Erin Snell, Chairperson 2015-2021:
I’m very grateful to have served on CCRE since 2012 as a liaison from Carroll County Public Library…
Through our conferences I’ve had the opportunity to listen to some speakers and authors who have challenged me to consider the inequities and injustices caused by ongoing systemic racism, as well as my responsibility to confront racial bias in our larger community and within myself.
One of the most memorable speakers for me was Dr. Quinones-Hinojosa (Dr. Q) who spoke to us about his book highlighting his extraordinary journey from migrant farm worker to brain surgeon. I’ve also benefited from youth involvement in our conferences…
CCRE’s role throughout the years has been to encourage discourse about racial justice, which can be difficult for people to engage in, but important for understanding and growth. Some of these topics include privilege, implicit bias, systemic racism, equity, and patriotism & ‘taking a knee’”.
I’ve seen the organization move from paper newsletters to Facebook posts and a website. This has increased our ability to connect with our community and our partners. During the pandemic, we’ve held virtual conferences which have stretched us to grow and discover new opportunities.
I believe that we become a healthier community when we are able to build relationships and consider the experiences and perspectives of other people…Challenging racist systems and working for equity leads to a healthier and more vibrant community for us all.
Conference Keynote Speakers: 2014 – 2022
2014: Mr. Michael Eselun and Ms. Martha Johnson
2015: Dr. Mohamed Esa
2016: Dr. Richard Smith
2017: Dr. Roxanna Harlow
2018: Dr. Angela Putman/Mr. Warran Dorsey
2019: Dr. Theodore Johnson
2020: Dr. Danice Brown
2021: Dr. Richard Smith and Ms. Judy Jones
2022: Dr. Marty Kuchma/Dr. Roxanna Harlow
In the past decade, CCRE has enhanced its community role and visibility by partnering with numerous social service, business, and higher educational institutions. (See our Current Brochure.) Moreover, recent years have seen CCRE address the educational and training needs of the general public and provide Continuing Education Credits to social work and counseling practitioners through our conferences. CCRE has also engaged in the State and National Black Lives Matter movement and its associated efforts at the local level, with particular emphasis on combating the anti-CRT assault on public and private educational systems.
And that brings us to today…
This year, we rang in our fourth decade with a new name "Carroll Citizens for Racial Equity" (updated from "Equality") and a revamped mission, vision, and values statements. Onward and upward!
Stay tuned for more events and opportunities in this, our 30th year!