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Torrence Toomer Sr. just started a petition to Justin M. Taylor, Chairperson, Nassau County Board of Commissioners to: Uphold the traditions of Black beachgoers at American Beach Go on the record about Saving American Beach! |
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Dear John,
I just started a petition titled "#SaveAmericanBeach
I can remember countless weekends where my dad took my family out to American Beach. It was a staple in the Black community at a time where segregation was still prevalent in the south. Many folks in the Black community from around the area have fond memories and still frequent the beach. When news spread of a man that chained himself to the beach in protest to what Nassau County is, in essence, privatizing the beach, I became upset. I realized that the history of the beach -- that affected the lives of my family and community members alike --- could not be lost. If the county succeeded in its efforts to privatize the beach, it would shut out any future generations in my family from enjoying the beach as well. But not only does American Beach have a history in my family, but the beach also has a deep history rooted in the Black community as well.
This beach is a Black historic landmark. Abraham Lincoln Lewis, Florida's first Black millionaire, purchased 200 acres, which is now American beach. His company, the Afro-American Life Insurance Company, designated American Beach as a place for people of color to have a space to visit and relax without humiliation. Limiting the access and privatizing American Beach will lock Black people of their cultural inheritance and this move by the county is an aggressive attempt to erase rich Black history.
The Beach Community Working Group, which was established in December 2018, was designed to make recommendations to the Nassau Board of Commissioners to support updates or amendments that need to be made. While everyone wants to see safer and more thoughtful ordinances, banning all camping (24/7 access to the beach) as a way to begin privatizing and kicking out the very people who've frequented the beach for so many years.
Thank you,
Torrence Tomer, Sr.
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