Leon County commissioners unanimously approve formal apology for past slavery, racism

Leon County commissioners have apologized for the county's history of slavery and racism.

At their Tuesday meeting, commissioners unanimously voted on the resolution, which was first brought up at their annual retreat last month.

The resolution serves as both an apology and works to "affirm Leon County's commitment to advancing equality and ensuring protection of the fundamental rights of individuals regardless of race, color, religion or national origin."

Commissioner Bill Proctor, who pushed for the resolution, shared that the legislation made him emotional and that it was a "significant statement of the bicentennial year of our county and a statement to the future ... that we recognize what our county has been."

The county's apology comes after Tallahassee's First Presbyterian Church unveiled a plaque apologizing for that church's history of racism.

Commissioner Nick Maddox acknowledged how people need to look back on moments they “don't want to think about” but how those moments still shape them.

"[You] can't erase history as a commissioner ... what you can do is know that you've done something that just might not have been right, take responsibility for it, and apologize," Maddox said.

Commissioner Rick Minor shared how the resolution was necessary, explaining that the pain experienced in the past transcends generations.

"We all have the opportunity to close that terrible chapter of our history, not to forget about it ... and start the healing process," Minor said.

Proctor said he looks to memorialize the apology by submitting it to the Meeks-Eaton Black Archives.

Arianna Otero is the City Solutions Reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact her via email at AOtero@tallahassee.com or on Twitter/X: @ari_v_otero.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: County commissioners pass resolution apologizing for past racism