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opienandm t1_ixhr0z6 wrote

Reply to comment by VAtenkara in Richmond school district to rename Binford, Cary, and Ginter Park for $150k. by Charlesinrichmond

Imagine you are a black child and you are attending John B Cary Elementary school. At some point, you’re going to learn about google and find out that you are going to a school named in honor of a guy who was an enslaver and one of the architects of the Lost Cause.

Then, off to middle school. Same shit, different location. You’re now attending a school named in honor of James H. Binford, who was a Captain in the Confederate army and served in a division of howitzers which were used to fight to preserve slavery.

$150k isn’t chump change and it could buy a bunch of supplies in the short term. However, renaming the schools sends a clear message that our schools will not honor those who fought to preserve slavery. I think that has much more significant long-term impact on the students, teachers, and families.

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Charlesinrichmond OP t1_ixi9sm1 wrote

Why not just find another cary to name it after

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billion_billion t1_ixiwz2u wrote

Washington & Lee HS in Arlington kinda took this approach. It’s now Washington & Liberty, which allowed them to change the name and keep a lot of the W&L branding

Edit: corrected re-name

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burdell69 t1_ixjdsit wrote

It's actually Washington-Liberty now, even though I think Loving would have been a better name.

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opienandm t1_ixig81w wrote

I’d be fine with that. Even better, not a person.

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Chrahhh t1_ixi2anr wrote

Also sends a message that image matters more than substance and results. Won’t keep teachers around and won’t brighten students.

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handle2345 t1_ixiz864 wrote

Symbolism and messaging matter. It's not a zero-sum game

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Chrahhh t1_ixj6rqz wrote

No… educating children and giving teachers the resources to do it well matter. That is all.

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