Silent Healing: Tree of Peace, the Tragedy - Cleveland's Black History's Remembrance

Tree of PeacePhoto bythe Brown Report Newspaper.

Cleveland, OH. - It was a dark and gloomy cloud that settled over the City of Cleveland following the Imperial Ave tragedy of eleven black women who were killed and tortured by serial killer Anthony Sowell, a black man. Anger, confusion, blame, and political folly captivated the media as many people awaited answers while seeking resolve. This is one part of Cleveland's history that no one will ever forget.

Not to rehash the tragedy of what took place in November 2009, we know the shock that was sent throughout the Cleveland Community and the impact it had on the country while watching people gravitate towards negative news and deaths.

While Black History Month reflects what was, what is, and what is to come, it's also a moment to educate and shed light on situations that have impacted our communities, even the small but important pieces that media ignore, politicians bury, and historians fail to acknowledge.

Gone But Not ForgottenPhoto bythe Brown Report Newspaper.

The Tree of Peace is History: It deserves to be recognized.

On September 3, 2016, the community came together to clean up the site where the eleven women were found. "The neighborhood was a mess, downright filthy. The mere idea that a tragedy happened in that location was left filled with trash and high grass weeds sickened many of us. We cleaned the site sometimes for eight consecutive weeks: no politicians. We cleaned the site sometimes for eight consecutive weeks: no politicians sometimes, politicians or pastors. The clean-up was a call for action, and many people came out weekly to maintain the area and the area directly across the street from where the House of Horror was located. We did this until we were chased off the land and threatened with trespassing and possible jail," says the clean-up organizer, Ms. Brown.

Art McKoy and a Black on Black Crime Member Planting the Tree of Peace in 2016Photo bythe Brown Report Newspaper.

After many hours of returning a sense of pride to this area, the community planted the "Tree of Peace" on the property. Community Activist Lady Gilmore donated the Tree. "The Tree was a healing process. It serves not only as a memory but also as a reverence of tranquility. Sometimes, we must remain silent and allow GOD to have his way. During these times, especially then, it was best to say nothing, pray, and ask for peace. This is why the Tree was donated and planted," stated Lady Gilmore.

Lady GilmorePhoto byLavar Elliott Photography Lady Gilmore Collection

"The Tree of Peace is a testimony of activists standing together and doing what is right - Cleaning up more than one lot and paying tribute to 11 Queens. Even standing up when the City of Cleveland tried to put up obstacles and say what we couldn't do. We prevailed," Activist Al Porter Jr. stated.

Al Porter Jr., President Black on Black CrimePhoto byAl Porter Jr

As the Western Reserve Land Conservancy took over the land - tore down our makeshift memorial, and built a memorial garden, they left the Tree of Peace that we planted in September of 2016. The Tree is one of the tallest figures in the garden. Today, the Tree is bare due to the season, but as the seasons change, the Tree of Peace is the most beautiful and prominent remembrance gift on the land.

The Imperial Memorial Garden is at E. 123rd and Imperial Ave., Cleveland, OHIO.

"Black History is about the truth as best we can record it. "The Tree of Peace" is part of this Black History moment. It's a vital part of what happened during this trying and teary-eyed time. It stands with strength and prominence and stands for "peace be still."

The eleven women are gone, but the history will never be forgotten.