Gwynn Oak Unity Festival a reminder of the work done to dismantle racism – and the work that’s left to do

In the spot where his brother priests were arrested 60 years earlier for helping to desegregate a Baltimore County amusement park, Auxiliary Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., offered a prayer to heal racial divisions Aug. 27.

“We bow our heads in grateful praise of God who loves us and God who has created us all in that image and likeness that is so beautiful,” Bishop Lewandowski told an interfaith crowd of dozens gathered for the Gwynn Oak Unity Festival.

“From the Christian tradition, I’d like to share with you this Scripture from the letter of St. Paul to the Galatians, chapter 3, verse 28: ‘There is no longer Jew or Greek. There is no longer slave or free. There is no longer male or female; for all are one in the love of Christ.’

“In that unity, let us pray now, asking God’s blessing on our time together.”

The festival at Gwynn Oak Park in Woodlawn commemorated the protests and arrests that brought an end to a racist policy that barred African Americans from visiting the amusement park that was once on the site. The privately owned park was officially desegregated on the same day as Dr. Martin Luther King’s March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom – Aug. 28, 1963 – with a carousel ride by Sharon Langley, an 11-month-old Black girl held by her father.

Sunday’s event featured music, food and activities, including the unveiling of “The Ride to Equality” mosaic created by artist Herb Massie. The Catholic Community Chorale, with singers from St. Ambrose and St. Bernardine churches in Baltimore, performed “We Shall Overcome” as many gathered linked arms.

The Archdiocese of Baltimore was one of the festival’s lead sponsors.

The late Father Joseph M. Connolly was honored for his role in desegregating the park. Co-chair of the Baltimore Interfaith Committee, Father Connolly was one of a handful of priests and Catholic parishioners arrested July 4, 1963, under the Maryland Trespass Act. In subsequent negotiations with the Gwynn Oak owners to end the segregation there, Father Connolly pledged community support for an integrated amusement park, according to festival organizers.

A stage at the festival was named for Connolly, who died at age 68 in 1993, as one of the “heroes who stood for justice and equality.”

Joining Bishop Lewandowski on Sunday were community members and a lineup of dignitaries, including Baltimore County Executive John “Johnny O” Olszewski Jr., Congressman Kweisi Mfume, state Sen. Jill P. Carter, Rabbi Andrew Busch of the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, Imam Ismet Akcin of the Islamic Society of Baltimore, the Rev. Rickey Williams of Wayland Baptist Church and Peter Brooks of the Piscataway Indian Nation.

The amusement park is now long gone, having been destroyed by Hurricane Agnes in 1972. The site now holds a 69-acre park with a playground, picnic area and walking paths. The carousel survived the storm and spent the last half-century on the National Mall in Washington.

Bishop Lewandowski said the festival served as a reminder of the work that has been done to dismantle racism and the work that is left to do. He is helping to lead Archbishop William E. Lori’s Commission on Slavery to research and document the archdiocese’s ties to slavery, acknowledge the harm to generations of African Americans and prayerfully discern the steps the local church can take to address and repair the injury.

Toward that end, Bishop Lewandowski recited the prayer to heal racial division by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ ad hoc Committee Against Racism. He invited all gathered to join him.

“We thank you, Lord God, for in your loving wisdom, you created one human family with the diversity that enriches our communities, and so, we pray, ‘Oh, God, hear us.’

“We pray that we may always recognize each member of this human family as being made in your image and beloved by you with great worth, beauty and dignity, and so, we pray, ‘Oh, God hear us.’

“We pray, too, God, that we may envision a way forward always to continue to heal the racial divisions that deny human dignity and the bonds between all human beings, and so, we pray, ‘Oh, God, hear us.’

“That we may affirm each person’s dignity through fair access for all to economic opportunity, housing, education, health care, employment and entertainment; we pray, ‘Oh, God, hear us.’

“That we may have eyes to see what is possible when we reach out beyond fear, beyond hate, beyond anger to hold the hand of brother and sister.

“We thank you, Lord. We call on you to challenge us and to help us meet the challenges of our own times as each generation embraces the work of racial justice.

“Teach us, lead us, guide us, Lord, to that place where all are one, all are cherished, all are loved. We ask this, Lord God, because you live and rein. You give us life. You call us into being and you hold us in love, now and forever.

“Amen.”

Also see:

Archdiocese collaborates to sponsor Gwynn Oak Unity Festival celebrating 60th anniversary of civil rights event

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