History, art or a racial slur?

ELIZABETHTOWN | The Essex County Board of Supervisors was in the midst of passing a resolution in support of diversity Monday when a diverse conversation broke out about the appropriateness of painting in the courtroom depicting a European shooting a Native American. "A white European conquering natives. That's a pretty strong statement (and) I don't know that it sends the most welcoming message," said Keene Supervisor Joe Pete Wilson. After a lengthy debate, supervisors agreed to keep the painting, but rewrite an interpretation that portrays the Native Americans as "savages." The issue came about after a handful of racially charged incidents in the Adirondacks of late prompted local governments to formally condemn racial hatred in their jurisdictions. On Monday Essex County added its voice to the movement. But the vote was somewhat overshadowed by a discussion over art, history and celebrations of aggression against those of a different race. The painting depicts an iconic moment in Adirondack and North American history, the 1609 confrontation between French explorer Samuel de Champlain in which three Iroquois chiefs were killed by a single blast from an early version of a shotgun. Supervisors Chair Shaun Gillilland agreed the painting portrayed "the beginning of the dark saga we find ourselves in today." But he said that didn't mean the painting had to go. "It is so powerful it evokes real feelings. I would say that's the value of art," Gillilland said. "It's not a celebration but a depiction. That is part of our history." Gillilland noted that on the opposing wall of the chambers is a painting of abolitionist John Brown, one of the more polarizing figures in American history. Some might see him as a terrorist for his raid on a federal arsenal in Harpers Ferry in what is now West Virginia, Gillilland said. But he earned a place in Essex County history when his body rested overnight in Elizabethtown on its way to his North Elba farm. Newcomb Supervisor Robin DeLoria said removing imagery would be "an attack on our history," and questioned what would become of portraits of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, both slaveholders, or the "In God We Trust" motto above the supervisor's dais. Ticonderoga Supervisor Joe Giordano added that if supervisors consider only perfect people for artwork, their walls would be empty. But Essex Supervisor Ken Hughes said while he appreciated the history, "this chamber should represent the highest ideals of humanity," which the shooting of natives did not. The painting, he said, would be more appropriate in a museum. Of more concern than the painting itself, supervisors agreed, was a National Geographic article from the 1930s posted just below that stands as an interpretation of the art. "As the redskin warriors rush toward him with bloodcurdling war cries, the intrepid adventurer is unperturbed," the text reads." It refers to "savage cunning" and "barbaric cruelty" of the natives. (Nor, for that matter, is the characterization of Champlain — who is portrayed as warmonger — particularly accurate.) "I agree wholeheartedly about the role of art, but I would encourage you before you make up your mind to read what is written under that painting and see if it reflects our ideals," Wilson said. "Read it and make up your mind. Tell me you still believe this is the way it should be interpreted." The conversation also highlighted a generational shift in thinking. Both Wilson and Hughes said the painting was brought to their attention by a son and daughter respectively, who took issue with the work when visiting the chambers. "We've returned to talking about it from time to time," Wilson said.

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History, art or a racial slur?

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