“I discovered that there was a whole community of Black people scattered around in that area and they were all evicted” These words from James Fisher resonate powerfully here in Lafayette-Pointer Park. This isn’t just any park. It’s a place layered with history both joyful and sorrowful.
Lafayette-Pointer Park sits behind Lafayette Elementary School in Chevy Chase DC. Its name honors Captain George Pointer a former slave whose family owned the land. The federal government seized this land using eminent domain. This happened to build a school for white children and the park. The Pointer family received a sum of money. Historians later determined this was far less than the land’s true value.
The park’s renaming is a testament to the ongoing struggle for racial justice. It acknowledges the injustice suffered by the Pointer family and other Black families displaced from this area. Their story illustrates a larger narrative of systemic inequalities. It highlights the importance of recognizing overlooked contributions to our nation’s history.
Barbara Boyle Torrey and Clara Myrick Green deserve significant credit. They discovered an 1829 letter written by Captain Pointer. This letter was a crucial piece of evidence. It helped them trace his descendants including James Fisher. Fisher’s involvement has brought renewed attention to this overlooked history. He hopes that his ancestor’s story will be included in the National Museum of African American History and Culture. He sees this as a critical step toward acknowledging the past and advocating for reparations.
Today as you stand in Lafayette-Pointer Park reflect on its past. Consider the families who lived and thrived here long before the park existed. Remember their displacement and fight for recognition. Lafayette-Pointer Park is more than a green space. It’s a place where we can learn. It’s a place where we can remember a significant part of American history. It’s a place where we can reflect on the enduring quest for justice and equality.