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A banana in the sun

By Robert S. Poydasheff

From a letter written by Robert S. Poydasheff, the mayor of Columbus, Georgia, to Gwen Stewart, who had complained about policemen eating bananas at a civil-rights march in January 2005. According to Poydasheff, she considered the banana “an affront,” though she would not specify why. Local media speculated that Stewart perceived the fruit as a slur equating African Americans with apes.

Dear Ms. Stewart,

I am sorry you found Columbus police officers eating bananas on the street when you arrived in Columbus for the protest. Let me assure you there was no intent to offend. The officers needed some nutrition after standing long hours on the street, and they particularly needed the potassium available in bananas and some other fruits.

Accordingly, they were given bananas along with some drinking water. There was no thought of insulting or offending anyone, and perhaps that was thoughtless on our part. In any case, let me offer my sincere apology for anything our officers may have done that gave offense to you or anyone else. I want to assure you that it will not happen again. I want to encourage you to come back to Columbus and get to know us better. You will find this a place where African Americans and all other people are valued equally and are welcomed to full participation in community life.

Again, I am sorry you were offended, and I hope you will accept this sincere apology.

Respectfully,

Robert S. Poydasheff

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SEE ALSO: Bananas; Civil Rights; Civil rights demonstrations; Columbus; Correspondence; Stewart, Gwen; Police

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