Lavon Shuman The Board of Frank Callen's Boys and Girls Club have definitely erred in judgment with their decision to drop the name of its founder as the Club expands throughout the area. The message you all are sending is the same message that have kept this community divided and continues to perpetuate two Savannahs.

Without the Frank Callen moniker, every time the altered organization name is spoken, vestiges of an inhumane and divided past will be revived. Is not modem day Savannah ready to embrace an all inclusive organization that was founded by and named after a man of vision and dignity? We should all embrace his name sake, not banish it.

I believe the African American community has to continue to earnestly work to forgive and forget through the pain of the past. Forgiveness is vital to freeing us from dark times and vital to our ascension in society. However, how can we move pass infractions when such systemic and subliminal slights continue to mimic the past? Sometimes in Savannah, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

As former chairman of the ILA Cope Committee, I will join with all citizens of good will that plan not to accept this flawed decision. We encourage you to reconsider and open up the process for timely public input. Its time we all respect and embrace one another's contributions throughout greater Savannah.