Time for Dearborn's Hubbard statue to come down

The 10-foot monument of former Dearborn Mayor Orville Hubbard has welcomed visitors at Dearborn's city hall for years. Hubbard is viewed by some in Dearborn as a pioneering statesman. To others, including African Americans and other minorities, Hubbard was an unapologetic segregationist who used his influence to vilify African Americans and stifle their self-determination. During Hubbard's 36 years as mayor, the city of Dearborn was accused of encouraging intolerance in various sectors. In fact, police cars were branded with the slogan "Keep Dearborn Clean," which was a euphemistic catchphrase widely understood to mean "Keep Dearborn White."

Following the recent murder of nine innocent people in a church in Charleston, S.C., top retailers like eBay, Amazon and others stopped the sale of Confederate flags and other relics that serve as a reminder of the racial intolerance that plagued our country. While we may not have a Confederate flag waving atop our buildings, this larger-than-life statue of Hubbard memorializes and celebrates a man who symbolizes the same kind of intolerance for many.

In light of the demeaning way Hubbard characterized African Americans as N-words and mongrels, along with his historic opposition to any developments that would allow for the integration of Dearborn, the statue has become a strain for many. As a city that boasts diversity, with a growing black population and internationally recognized Middle Eastern community, it raises the question of the appropriateness of the statute in its present location. Many propose that Dearborn should follow in the steps of other cities nationwide and remove the symbols from the public sphere that stand as a reminder of racism. We understand that Hubbard and his statue are aspects of our city's history, but that is exactly what they need to be viewed as — history — which is not always without shame.

The danger of normalizing such symbols is that by tolerating racism we run the risk of enabling dominant culture to embed and justify deep inequalities in our society. Admittedly, removing Hubbard's statue will not alter the course or significantly change the life of any individual in Dearborn or Detroit. However, at a time when our nation is struggling to break free from the burdens of racism, dismantling this relic is an opportunity for this great city to formally acknowledge and disavow its racist past. It also lays the foundation for a future where diversity and tolerance are embraced.

Fatina Abdrabboh

Director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, Michigan Regional Office