Oak Bluffs is a town in the state of Massachusetts. The town has a population of 5,341 as of the 2020 census. It is a primary tourist destination in the summer, noted for its gingerbread houses and preserved mid to late-19th-century buildings. It has also historically been an important center of African American culture. Although the population is small, the town has a rich history.
One of the many attractions in the Oak Bluffs City area is the Union Chapel, a 150-year-old interdenominational church. The chapel often hosts speakers and preachers throughout the summer. Receiving an invitation to speak there is a great honor. Many people come from faraway cities to hear their home-church pastors speak. As a member of the Black community, I felt comforted by the Black Lives Matter banners in Oak Bluffs. I was expecting my first child, a boy. As I sat in the sun listening to the morning message, I realized that it could be a frightening time for a Black parent.
Oak Bluffs is governed by an Open Town Meeting form of government, meaning that decisions pertaining to the city's governance are made by a majority of registered voters. Annual Town Meetings allow voters to vote on warrant articles, and the Board of Selectmen appoints the Town Administrator. Citizens are elected to fill positions on various committees.