The Way to Right Wrongs
The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them. – Ida B. Wells-Barnett
Right now, the National Park Service is asking the public to weigh in on whether lynching sites in the Memphis region—including Brownsville, Tennessee—should be studied and potentially preserved as part of the National Park System.
This moment matters because history is not just what happened—it is what gets remembered, protected, and taught.
The story of Elbert Williams, killed in 1940 for organizing Black voter registration, sits at the intersection of racial violence and civic participation. Yet his name is still missing from many national narratives. Public comment is one of the few ways communities and descendant families can help shape how this history is recognized.
This is not just about the past. The same forces that targeted Black voting power then continue to echo in policies, access, and participation today. Preserving these sites helps connect that history to the present—and ensures future generations understand both the cost of silence and the power of collective action.
Community voices matter in this process. When we speak, we help ensure that these stories are told truthfully, completely, and with the people most impacted at the center.
The deadline to submit comments is April 3, 2026 at midnight.
Here is the link: https://bit.ly/ElbertWilliamsStudy
Read More about the study:
Leslie McGraw
Leslie discovered the power of the pen in the third grade after her family moved to a new school district. Writing became a way to sort out her new surroundings and escape to fantasy landscapes. That child, and voice, has matured into a poet, writer, blogger, journalist, online content creator and editor. Leslie is a social entrepreneur with a demonstrated commitment to community. She is an active community member in Washtenaw County (Michigan) with expertise in social media marketing and content management systems, volunteer coordination and writing and 19 years of experience in the areas of online community management, training, leadership development, and social networking. She is interested in facilitating connection with both community residents and businesses. Through this work, the economy of the community is improved and the organizations are financially successful. Her main mode of advocacy and online community, however, is through writing.
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