Black Lives Matter Sign in Schroon
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Long time Schroon Lake resident and noted artist Laura Von Rosk shares in a Letter To The Editor of the Sun newspaper what Town Supervisor Jeff Subra told her about his thoughts on the Black Lives Matter movement.
Ms. von Rosk had asked for the meeting after a comment Mr. Subra made about the group was published by the newspaper. According to the Sun, Mr. Subra said he was offended by a Black Lives Matter sign in Schroon. He made the comment at a town meeting on a proposed Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
That meeting came about after images of a Confederate Flag appeared in a poster honoring the Schroon Lake Central’s graduating class of 2020. That incident was covered by The Sun in this report.
BLM Sign
To the editor:
In a recent public meeting, Schroon Lake Town Supervisor, Mr. Jeff Subra, claimed that he found a Black Lives Matter sign “deeply offensive.” The Sun published a photo of the offending BLM sign, which was decorated with hearts and a flower, crafted by an eight-year-old.
I requested a meeting with Mr. Subra to discuss what he found offensive about the sign. I learned that he believes the BLM movement is “violent at its core – they want all whites eradicated!” I disagreed because I am part of that movement. I am white, and I certainly don’t want to be eradicated. Mr. Subra seemed to have difficulty understanding why I support the BLM movement. He said: “But you’re white, it would be different if you were black.”
I fear that some people are of the opinion that we’ll never end racism. Nevertheless, the Schroon Lake Town Board promises to take a firm stand by establishing a “Diversity (& Inclusion) Committee.” Our community, especially people of faith, can indeed work together toward ending racism.
I also fear that some believe only “outsiders, not residents” have put up BLM signs. I am a 25+ year full-time resident of this town. I have a BLM sign in my yard because I believe Black lives do, indeed, “matter” and that the brutality they continue to endure must end. Schroon Lake has a large population of second-home families, and many of them have been returning for generations. Are they not part of this community, with a sign or not? Would Schroon Lake be healthy economically if visitors and second homeowners felt uncomfortable by displays of racist symbols like the confederate flag?
I would like to thank The Sun for its balanced coverage of recent events in Schroon Lake. Also, I appreciate Mr. Subra taking the time to talk with me. I think it is healthy and important to have these uncomfortable conversations. It is crucial that we attempt to understand the troubling times we are in, and to correct the racial injustice that prevents America from becoming a more perfect union.
Laura Von Rosk, Schroon Lake
Schroon Lakers Helping Schroon Lakers
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A hat tip to Schroon’s Dollar General for setting up a collection area for the Schroon Lake Food Pantry and the Schroon Lake Senior Center. Just another reason why our town is so special.
What Led to Schroon’s Diversity Pledge?
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Our Town Beach: One of Schroon’s prized jewels
Long time Schroon Laker Emily Rossi-Snook provides a detailed chronology to the events leading up to the Town’s new Diversity Resolution in the following letter to the Editor of the Sun Newspaper. The paper has extensively covered the story in their print and on-line editions.
To the editor:
In regards to the article in the July 25, issue of The Sun, "Schroon Passes Diversity Pledge Following Flag Incident”, it is reported that the school banner in question “was hastily removed" when actually the town was resistant to its removal.
On June 5, all involved organizations; Mountainside Bible Chapel, Schroon Lake Central School, Schroon Lake Town Board, were contacted about the offending image. Nothing was done. On June 16, a Mountainside representative said that there would be an adjustment to the photo. So, why wasn’t it done? Who blocked this correction? After several emails and still no action, Supervisor Subra said in a phone call on June 19, that the town resources would not be used in the adjustment of the banner.
I do not call 6 weeks, multiple emails, a refusal by Supervisor Subra to remove the banner a “hasty removal”. I call this stonewalling. I call this a lack of leadership. I call this supporting racist imagery.
At the July 13, Town Board meeting, when Town Board member Roger Friedman presented a drafted diversity resolution, Supervisor Subra told a resident that he found her Black Lives Matter sign offensive (See p.8 of July 25 issue of The Sun).
In the July 24 online issue of The Sun, there is a photo of another sign stating Black Lives Matter. It is reported that Supervisor Subra singled out this sign, made by an eight-year-old child, as offensive. Please read this right: a sign of acceptance and inclusion, made by a child, is publicly called offensive by our elected town leader.
To the Schroon Lake Town Board: Your diversity pledge is a fine start, but you have more work to do. Let’s start by demanding the resignation of Jeff Subra as supervisor of the Town of Schroon.
Emily Rossi-Snook, Schroon Lake
