The U.S. Postal Service was founded July 26, 1775, and appointed Benjamin Franklin as the first postmaster general.
Yet, when Americans reflect on the history of the Postal Service, few realize that serving as a federal postmaster in the Jim Crow South required extraordinary courage. That is why the story of the Rev. Joseph Henry Hankerson (J.H.), appointed the first African American postmaster for St. Johns County in 1915, deserves renewed attention.
His appointment came during one of the darkest periods in American race relations. Following President Woodrow Wilson’s segregation of much of the federal workforce, African Americans were increasingly excluded from positions of authority.
Hankerson, however, earned and maintained one of the federal government’s most respected offices, since a postmaster was (and is) more than a mail clerk.
Postmasters manage government funds, money orders, legal correspondence and official communications while serving as the trusted face of the federal government in the community. Such an appointment reflected exceptional literacy, integrity, organizational skill and public confidence.
Hankerson earned that confidence from the diverse farming communities of Armstrong and Elkton that included Black, White and Minorcan residents. In an era defined by racial division, their trust spoke volumes about his character and leadership.
His federal service carried personal risk. Across the South, Black officials faced intimidation and violence simply for holding positions of authority. Despite these dangers, Hankerson faithfully served his community before eventually relocating to Michigan to continue his ministry in 1918.
His achievement reflected a family tradition of public service. His father, the Rev. J.P. Hankerson, helped implement Reconstruction-era initiatives through the War Department to strengthen churches and communities across Florida. The federal appointment of J.H. Hankerson carried that legacy into the 20th century.
As America continues to commemorate its 250th anniversary, J.H. Hankerson should be remembered not only as a pioneering postmaster, but also as a symbol of faith, public service and perseverance in St. Johns County in the face of Jim Crow.
Derek Hankerson is the great-grandson of Rev. J.H. Hankerson. He lives in St. Augustine.
What should school choice mean?
Students can choose any school in the school district; and there are a variety of neighborhood schools, dedicated magnet schools and even a virtual choice. In addition, taxpayers are forced to fund charter and private schools that don’t have to adhere to the same accountability standards as the district-run schools.
Duval County Public Schools (the district-run schools) are in competition with charter and voucher-funded private schools for funding and for students. Personally, I am appalled that with SB 538, state legislators want to force school districts to offer services to students who enroll in the competition.
The proposed legislation was discussed at the July 21 DCPS board workshop. This would force districts to allow charter and voucher-funded private school students to participate in district athletics. The maximum the state will allow the district to charge these students is $400.
However, the board can also vote to let the charter and voucher-funded students use the district facilities and services for free. As a way to assess whether or not a school board candidate is running to help charter schools — instead of district-run schools — ask them about SB 538.
How will the candidates vote on this issue if elected? Will they let the charter and voucher students double dip, i.e. get funding for their “choice school” but also get free services from the district?
The DCPS board members run the district schools, while the charter and voucher-funded schools have their own governing boards. When you vote in August, please vote for DCPS board candidates who want our district-run schools to have lots of well-funded and excellent options.
These candidates should also acknowledge that they will oversee schools that are competing with other publicly funded education options for students and funding.
Susan Aertker, Jacksonville
(This letter was updated to correct an error in the bill name and a related inaccuracy.)
Another take on bad choices
In response to Bill Boutwell’s July 26 letter regarding “bad choices,” I wholeheartedly concur that we need to lower the temperature in the country. The current climate of political and cultural polarization poses an existential threat to our democratic republic and to the America so many of us have grown to love.
I also agree that the cause of our current strife is the result of many decidedly poor choices. However, on the underlying construct of what constitutes a “bad choice,” Boutwell is deluded and misguided.
Let’s look at another perspective on these choices:
So, I agree; many bad choices have been made. This November, I encourage all of us to do better.
Philip S. May, III, Jacksonville
ICE behavior denigrates all law enforcement
Regarding the July 26 letter from Bill Boutwell, he apparently needs to be reminded that we have a Constitution in the United States. As a woman, I was brought up not to surrender to a pack of masked men trying to abduct me. Boutwell must have grown up under different circumstances.
In his world, it seems to be required that U.S. citizens and others must always obey a pack of masked men — some of whom have criminal backgrounds. In the Biddeford, Maine shooting, the Immigration & Customs Enforcement officer involved reportedly couldn’t even qualify for a local law enforcement job and was accused of abuse by two ex-wives.
This is not what my father fought for during World War II. How is the execution of U.S. citizens and immigrants on American soil espoused as “okay” under our Constitution? Boutwell’s letter stated, “The failure to discuss wrong choices that lead to poor outcomes only leads to distrust against law enforcement professionals.”
I know many law enforcement officials who follow the law and are mortified at the haphazard way ICE operates. Many ICE agents lack training, as well as the character required by local officials. They denigrate the training and trust of those wearing blue.
This is another example of the necessity to reeducate folks of our constitutional rights. In Boutwell’s America, we are supposed to obey an ill-trained, masked, male-dominated police force that chooses not to wear body cameras and displays no identification or badge.
I respect and am proud of our men and women in blue working to keep us safe — they are not afraid to be identified and wear their badges as they follow the law.
Denise Novotny, Amelia Island
Trump’s legacy found in Aesop’s fables?
One of Aesop’s most important fables is “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.”
A shepherd boy repeatedly yells for help from the villagers, tricking them into thinking his sheep are being attacked by a wolf. When a wolf actually does appear, the villagers ignore the boy’s cries for help, as they have learned they cannot trust him. The result is that the wolf eats the sheep, but in a later English version of the fable, the wolf also eats the boy.
The moral (translated from the Greek) is, “This shows how liars are rewarded; even if they tell the truth, no one believes them.”
We wonder how much longer President Donald Trump can “cry wolf,” and have millions of Americans believe him. How long will it take for Congress to tire of his lies? He does it with a straight face or a smile, but his words mean absolutely nothing. Despite this, networks listen to and broadcast his drivel, and serious people actually attempt to analyze and understand his utterings.
He has lied to the world so frequently that it is impossible to know when he or his minions are actually (and surprisingly) telling the truth.
Aesop’s fable tells us how liars are rewarded. Will Trump’s legacy be “The Boy Who Cried Wolf?”
Fran and Pete Sheridan, Atlantic Beach
Selective outrage on pleading the Fifth
It’s been said many times (including by our current president) that pleading the Fifth Amendment is a sign of guilt; maybe it is, maybe it’s not. The recent condemnation of Dr. Anthony Fauci on his constant refusal to answer questions does make one raise an eyebrow and wonder what he is hiding. He does sound guilty.
Therefore the condemnation seems understandable, in fact, and makes me wonder myself.
However, the selective outrage is typical from the accusers with blinders on, and assumes we have short memories. Sen. Rick Scott has called out Fauci on his non-testimony, yet when questioned on his company’s Medicare fraud in a 2000 deposition, he pleaded the Fifth 75 times, and was later fined almost $2 billion.
As for President Donald Trump, he has done so approximately 440 times, if not more.
So again, the proverbial pot is calling the kettle black as the recent selective outrage aimed at Fauci raises it head. However, let’s call it across the board instead of aligning with one’s political leanings.
Pleading the Fifth may raise the question of guilt, although it’s not actually an admission, whether it’s John Gotti, Anthony Fauci, Rick Scott or our current president. Let’s not conveniently ignore the facts when it’s “your guy,” because the hypocrisy takes away any credibility.
Gary Schuran, Middleburg
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Remembering an ancestor’s unsung courage in Jim Crow South | Letters
Reporting by Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
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