Fayetteville Forum: Readers react to plan for controversial Market House

The Fayetteville City Council at its Aug. 1 meeting voted to move forward with plans to repurpose the Market House.

The downtown building — the former symbol for the city — is on the National Register of Historic Places but has been controversial because of a past that includes the sale of enslaved people.

More: Market House: Fayetteville council OKs approval to repurpose racially sensitive symbol

Recommendations made to the council by leaders with the Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Commission include telling a more accurate picture of the building’s history using written materials, QR codes and social media; changing some of the language in a plaque at the site that speaks of the building’s connection to slavery; and installing public art by local artisans at the four corners of Market House Square to tell more of the story, as well as the story of the city’s other diverse people.

More: Myron B. Pitts: Fayetteville Market House series will help us confront ‘the real past’

More: Department of Justice representatives to meet with Fayetteville committee on Market House

We asked our readers what they thought of the plans.

Below is a sampling of responses. We appreciate everyone who weighed in. If you would still like to respond, write to: eletters@fayobserver.com.

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I would rather see it knocked down and replaced with a colorful waterfall fountain or water wall. Night time it could change colors and have art displayed around it with Black history.

— Heath Hunt, Fayetteville 

The decision made might not be the best decision but I feel it is a good decision. I’d rather see the Market House moved out of downtown Fayetteville and perhaps placed in an area where there would be other local shops and vendors. The Market House should be changed into some sort of multicultural center.

I do appreciate the fact that history will not be destroyed. The atrocities that went on during slavery should not be burned or taken down; history should not be erased. The truth should live on for other generations to see and learn.

— Sherry McCoy, Raeford

The Market House was never purposed for the trade of human trafficking and enslavement as some irresponsible leaders have suggested, and this initiative simply reinforces that idea among many that follow that false narrative. The Market House played a very minor role in that activity, and the focusing on one race of people is harmful to one of the most culturally and racially diverse cities in North Carolina and the U.S. The Market House has always served as the town commons for all races of people. Leave it alone.

— David L. Mann, Fayetteville

I like the idea of public art, not restricted to any one population, but that the artist be a current or former resident of Fayetteville. I like the idea of the QR code so it can be a conduit of historical information, both prideful and unfortunate. The Market House has a versatile history and all of it should be made available.

— Lisë Glazier, Fayetteville

What are my thoughts on the Market House plan? Lame at best. What appears to be happening is people who feel more comfortable dwelling in the past are voicing their opinion on what to do about the Market House, rather than living for the future — theirs as well as the city of Fayetteville’s.

Fayetteville doesn’t have to do anything with The Market House. It is just a building, built by a Black gentleman who used white and Black freemen as well as slaves to construct the building. It has stood the test of time through hurricanes, fires, would-be artists, etc. Now someone wants to change things, not because slaves were sold there but because their little feelings are hurt.

They need to grow up. Money used to change the Market House could be used for much better things for the city and for the people who live here and call this All-American City home.

— Carl Campbell

I am at a loss as to how changing some of the language on a plaque helps this city step forward. I was in a group that worked to keep the Market House from being torn down. We were ignored by the City Council and the mayor.

As a retired social worker, I naively thought there would be ongoing conversations including both sides regarding this “building of conscience.” There was not. For me, this community sorely needs continued conversations as to what an “inclusive community” is and what work it entails.

Also, a history on market houses dating back to the 1600s in the United Kingdom would be appropriate. Presentations of art and music by all is a step in the right direction.

— Parker Lindsay, Fayetteville

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This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville Forum: Readers react to plan for controversial Market House