Minerva Speaks: Awake!

Things were quiet here for a long time; a relief from the clanging of weapons and the horror of battle. When the commander retreated, he left behind the blood and tears of the brave who fought for liberty. And there she is, torch in hand helping me stand sentry in this land. Liberty stands surrounded by water; I stand on solid ground on the highest lookout. From our respective posts, together we can see this land was entrusted to me. It’s a site of peace overlooking the gently sloping hill that rolls towards the harbor.

The peace that surrounds me lulled me into the deep sleep of centuries, a slumber from which I was roused by the noise of life awakening near me.

For a while I could hear the noises coming from the park and the slope that bears its name. As they marched towards me, they built their settlements and expanded until their borders could contain them no longer. Then they moved south. South Slope: an extension that attempted to be what wasn’t.

Then a phantom limb reached out and dared make a grab for my territory, like the thinning long reaching arm of a conquering empire that has overextend itself. It must be stopped. It’s time to wake up and defend my people.

This is not South Slope. We are our own people, we lead our own lives and will defend our borders if we have to. The Park is yours. The Hill is ours.

We are Battle Hill, and we are proud. We stand the highest point in Brooklyn, from where we fought the proudest battle of our country. And we will fight again. For our name. For our lives. For our loves.

With Liberty by my side, I, Minerva, will lead you into a new dawn.

Arise Battle Hill, and free yourselves from the long standing oppression of the Slope!

We are Battle Hill. We are strong.