Stephen Foster built his songwriting career off the defamation and humiliation of the black slave population of the United States in between the years of 1842 to 1864; and therefore, should not be celebrated. The Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center Park is a Florida State Park located in White Springs Florida. The park has a museum dedicated to Stephen Foster, featuring eight dioramas depicting his songs. The bell tower plays his black-face minstrel songs daily at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Here is what I propose:

• The name “Stephen Foster” be removed from the park name.
• The museum located in the park remove all exhibitions related to Stephen Foster and his music career. 
• The bell tower should remove all Stephen Foster songs.

To keep repeating his name and singing his songs is to keep repeating his message of white superiority, and this is something we cannot continue to do. He should not be commemorated and honored. His legacy should especially not be funded by the State of Florida.

I propose that a coalition of Florida black folk artists be formed to determine the content within the museum and the bell tower.

If you have ideas on what should become of the museum and bell tower, feel free to share.