“Justice Edward O. Gourdin Veterans Memorial Park, located in the heart of Nubian Square, will now be home to a memorial plaza dedicated to the Black veterans of Massachusetts. The 18,000-square-foot triangular parcel is bordered by Washington Street, Malcolm X Boulevard, and Shawmut Avenue. The project is the result of the steadfast, multi-year efforts of the Veterans and Friends of Gourdin Memorial Park community group.”
– Excerpt from Boston.gov https://www.boston.gov/news/groundbreaking-event-held-park-honoring-justice-edward-o-gourdin-black-war-veterans
Statement from the Committee commemorating the Groundbreaking
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters. It gives us great pleasure to stand before you this afternoon representing the Veterans and Friends of Gourdin African American Memorial Park.
What a historic day this is for the City of Boston in particular, and our country in general. This day is long overdue. Most notably history has documented people of African descent in America as being the victims of the horrific trans-continental slave trade. Yet, less known to the general populace is that our ancestors travelled to the western hemisphere before the Mayflower. The history and contributions of African-Americans in America has never been given the emphasis that it deserves. I remember as a child in school they had a Negro History Week where very limited contributions of Black folks were spoken of. Today there’s a Black History Month in the shortest month of the year, February, which still in no way can accommodate teaching of the vast contributions of Blacks in this country. It’s imperative that accurate history be acknowledged, for this is the foundation from which we build on.
While a statue may exist here or there, the City of Boston, as it is with our nation in general, has oftentimes overlooked, hidden, obscured or chose not recognize history as it relates to the existence, and the contributions of its citizenry of African descent. The groundbreaking today of the General Edward O. Gourdin African-American Park is symbolic in addressing that history.
General Edward O. Gourdin is one of many that has contributed to the upward and onward advancement, not only to Black folks, but to this country. The erecting of a statue of General Gourdin is symbolic of the many that sacrificed, and gave their lives in service to this country. He represents so many un-sung heroes and sheroes. We look forward to this park as not only being symbolic, but be an educational tool for all that visit.
Last, but not least, we must recognize those that worked tirelessly to get us to this point, but are no longer here to see the fruition of their efforts. Their names will be commemorated here in the park for all to see in the coming months.
And finally we thank The Browne Fund for their financial support and guidance.