What was billed as a protest by members of the Lakeshore is United Visionaries, turned out to be a very peaceful discussion in Downtown Manitowoc on Wednesday evening.
The topic, a racially insensitive photo posted on social media that included several area business owners.
One of the men in that photo was holding a rope that had been fashioned into the shape of a noose. Brennan Seehafer, the Owner of The Wharf in Manitowoc was in the photo, but was not holding the rope.
Seehafer stood in front of the crowd of almost 100 people, and answered questions about the photo for over 40 minutes. He addressed the crowd, saying “I’m proud to see that you guys are standing up for something that you believe in, but unfortunately for me, I caused this. This is on me.”
Seehafer spoke of moving forward in many ways, the first of which is to commission a movable “Diversity Mural” to be displayed downtown, but then offered continued support to fight racism in this community. “My apology doesn’t mean anything until you can actually see what we are doing to prove it,” he told the crowd. “We’re going to start with the painting…but we have to sit down and get a plan. I’m on board 100%. Not just this week, not just next week, but months from now as well, to grow awareness for this.”
Jeff Just, another local businessman was also in the photo, but again not holding the rope. He issued a separate statement late Wednesday afternoon, saying “To our community I am sorry, unconditionally. Usually when I am speaking to the public, it’s about good things happening. Things that bring us together. I know I made a terrible mistake, and that has reflected on me, my family, staff, colleagues and our community, and for that I’m sorry. I did not raise my children to be tone deaf to, or make light of symbols of the darkest part of our nation’s history, and this poor judgment was mine, not theirs. I have always treated errors in judgement as opportunities to learn, grown, and improve myself, and my contribution to society. This will, without a doubt, the toughest lesson I have had to learn and grow from. Please allow me to grow from it, and demonstrate that I know how offensive my photo and comment were. I take full responsibility for my actions, and I hope to help make our community a safer place, where everyone is accepted, because when we do better we all potentially benefit. I hope that overtime I can redeem the trust and respect that I have lost. Again, please accept my apology.”
Aaron Bailey of the Lakeshore United Visionaries was able to hear that statement and responded by saying “That’s how you start a healthy conversation about something that’s senseless…He did the right thing, but it’s not up to me to say if he’s guilty or not guilty as far as his forgiveness. It’s for the community, for the people he affected…That was part one. Now it’s what are you going to do to ensure you and other people that look like you and have businesses like you don’t behave in that kind of manner.”
Another member of the Lakeshore United Visionaries, Elijah Ashbeck, was asked about the gathering, and said he was pleased with the turnout. “We’re not out here to condemn anybody, we’re not out here to ruin anybody’s business. We’re just out here to bring awareness to about the racial issues in the country, and especially here in Manitowoc.”
After the discussion, many in the crowd peacefully walked to Manitowoc City Hall, the Police station and then the County Courthouse.
Lakeshore United Visionaries is a local group that believes our community is for everyone, no matter your creed, gender or race and has formed a page on Facebook that welcomes new members.
