The City of Norfolk seal represents how the Moses Meyers family achieved GREAT prominence and prosperity on Merchant Square in downtown Norfolk, where legalized human trafficking, also known as SLAVERY, took place during the height of the slave trade at the downtown port. The slave trading merchant, Moses Meyers, along with his family, who resided at 323 Freemason Street downtown Norfolk, VA, were GREAT proponents and benefactors of the HEINOUS slave trading industry that took place in downtown Norfolk, VA. The wealth of the Moses Meyers household, achieved through their successful slave trading businesses and practices, is what the City of Norfolk seal represents. The Moses Meyers family house is now owned by the City of Norfolk and managed by the Chrysler Museum, which our tax dollars support. The seal DOES NOT display or promote Unity, Equality, Diversity or Justice for ALL! The Latin legend on the seal translates to mean, 'By sea and by land we will grow and increase in wealth.' The Moses Meyers family did, indeed, 'grow and increase in wealth' by the slave cargo carried on the schooner slave ships (by sea) and by the slaves toiling, mercilessly, in the fields (by land) after coming off the schooner slave ships. Moses Myers had a 5-vessel fleet for his import-export business that quickly expanded his slave shipping business endeavors. The images on the city seal are derogatory and offensive to the 41.2% (100,025) of tax-paying African American population living in Norfolk, VA. Norfolk is suffering from SO many setbacks across the board, and if Norfolk is going to truly be a GREAT city, one that can really compete with surrounding cities, far and near, Norfolk will have to start at the root and build from a healthy foundation and perspective. I believe that uniting a diverse group of young artists and allowing them to participate in the next modification of the city seal will give them a sense of value and a voice, that will help prepare them, and the city, for the next generation of leadership for the city. By allowing our youth artist in Norfolk to be engaged and involved in the change is a great place to start the healing and restoration process for the City of Norfolk. Let’s start the journey of change by dealing with changing the heart of the city which is represented by the City of Norfolk seal. The City of Norfolk seal is 282 years old and has had 3 modifications. The last modification is 109 years old. It’s time for a change. The City of Norfolk, VA seal needs to be changed NOW!

For updates on this and other issues of Equity and Equality in the City of Norfolk and surrounding areas, text JOIN to 833-244-7434.