Edwards Association officers talk inclusion at council meeting

The Edwards Association had a dialogue with the Gonzales City Council during the public comments portion of the Thursday, Jan. 19 meeting. 

David Tucy, the president of the Edwards Association, spoke to the council about “inclusion and recognition.”

Tucy said the organization had a successful MLK march on Monday, Jan. 16 from Independence Square to Edwards High School, honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. 

“I dare to say that it was one of the largest of its kind in towns that are equivalent to our size. There were some who spoke and said that even though we've come a long way, there's still work to be done. And that statement is very true,” Tucy said. 

In a July 9, 2020, Tucy gave a presentation regarding the square formerly known as “Confederate Heroes Square” and the next several meetings he would talk about the city’s work of “inclusion and recognition of the history of its African American residents,” and the square subsequently was renamed Independence Square. 

“Inclusion and recognition are not just words without meaning. These are words that are instilled in the hearts of people who have been deprived of them. People who want to see physical, perpetual evidence that exhibits pride throughout this place which we call home. But there is still work to be done,” Tucy said.

Tucy suggested to the council by renaming one of the streets to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King.

“We keep the dream alive by changes and implementations, not by stagnation. We have indeed come a long way. But there's still work to be done. And with your help, we can move forward toward fulfilling that dream,” Tucy said. 

Edwards Association Vice President Quincy Johnson backed up Tucy’s comments with his own. 

“Change always comes with speed bumps and hurdles. But we must keep moving forward. I will simply ask that the city continue to be open to the many ideas and projects of its citizens to keep an eye on diverse cultures moving in a forward and positive direction,” Johnson said. 

Johnson added that this is not change, but more progress, and the monuments at Independence Square will not only “highlight those educators who not only transformed the lives of segregated youth, but continue to transform and educate our youth after desegregation,” and it’ll show the continuing progress of the community. 

“We hail ourselves in the cradle of Texas independence and the place of the ‘first shot.’ Let's continue to work together to continue to be first to lead our state in progress and unity,” Johnson concluded.