“We’re here today because diversity is who we are,” Rev. Darryl Gray said at the Gateway Arch on Friday, July 6.
He served as master of ceremonies for an event that was a direct response to the official ribbon cutting photo for the grand opening of the renovated Arch grounds on July 3. The now-infamous photo spawned the hashtag #ArchSoWhite because of the total absence of people of color.
“We cannot and must not allow ourselves and our history and our contribution to history be erased or forgotten,” Gray said.
Groups representing multiple ethnicities in the St. Louis region stood on the Arch grounds as a reflection of what they didn’t see in the photo, in an event organized by state Rep. Bruce Franks Jr., St. Louis Treasurer Tishaura O. Jones and others.
“This isn’t a do-over,” Gray said. “This is the first inclusive ribbon cutting.”
Representatives from the Asian, Muslim, African-American and Hispanic communities were on hand to offer remarks.
Vin Ko, representing the Asian community, quoted African-American artist and activist De Nichols, saying, “This is about affirming that the Arch, the symbol for our city, is for all of us.”
Jones called it “the people’s ribbon cutting.”
“These renovations were bought and paid for by the people,” Jones said.
She also said that the July 3 photo is further proof of the need for change in the St. Louis region.
“We don’t need polite, incremental change. We need the kind of change that hurts – and is uncomfortable,” Jones said.
“The photo that was taken on Tuesday doesn’t look any different from the original Arch ribbon cutting photo from 1965 – and that is unacceptable. We have been talking racial equity since Ferguson. We are standing in the shadow of the great Old Courthouse where Dred Scott argued for his freedom. Fifty-four years ago this week, the great Percy Green took a stand against the lack of diversity among the people building the Arch. How long are we going to stay the same?”
Some of the people who attended – and organized – the July 3 photo op also attended the inclusive ribbon cutting. Eric Moraczewski, the executive director of the Gateway Arch Park Foundation, offered an apology.
Jennings Councilman Terry Wilson spoke on behalf of St. Louis County Councilwoman Hazel Erby. She sent a scathing rebuke of the apologies offered in the wake of the #ArchSoWhite controversy.
“Our reason for being here today is on behalf of the African-American community and all those underrepresented to reject the cynical PR stunt that’s being called an apology,” Wilson read from Erby’s statement. “This so-called apology isn’t even for us. It’s for the perpetrators to make them feel better about what happened here on July 3.”
She said an apology is offered when you accidentally bump into someone or step on their toe. This was not an accident, she said.
“So keep your apologies,” Erby stated. “We will not let you add insult to injury. But I am sorry. Sorry that when it comes to civic leadership, the event on July 3 is the best St. Louis can do.”
Erby also thanked Franks for taking immediate action.
Cori Bush, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay in the August 7 Democratic primary, said the July 3 ribbon cutting looked nothing like the region she calls home.
“This is what I see when I walk outside,” Bush told the diverse crowd. “This is what St. Louis is, not what we saw the other day. This is St. Louis, and this is what we celebrate.”
Alicia Hernandez spoke on behalf of the Latino community.
“It is important that black and brown communities have true representation to ensure we are given an equal part in the community that we helped build,” Hernandez said. “We find our voice in this continued conversation on racial equity through representation and opportunity and will continue to fight together toward a fair and equitable St. Louis.”
Farrakhan Shegog, an organizer of the event, was the afternoon’s final speaker – wearing a hard hat.
“We all have to put our hard hats on and do the work to move St. Louis forward,” Shegog said. “We have to hold others accountable. If you are not about moving this city forward, then move out of the way so we can do it.”
