Story at a glance
- Many celebrated figures in American history were also slaveholders.
- Memorials or namesakes of these figures have been challenged as the country becomes more aware of the ongoing legacy of slavery.
- A local school board has voted to change the name of two schools designated after Thomas Jefferson and George Mason.
The state of Virginia is littered with namesakes of well-known historical figures. One of the 13 original colonies and the site of the first permanent European settlement in the United States, the state’s history also includes its participation in the Civil War — on the side of the Confederacy.
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Now, two schools in Falls Church named for Thomas Jefferson and George Mason are ending their affiliation with these slaveholders.
The Falls Church School Board voted on Dec. 9 to rename the schools after a six-month long process that began following the reignition of the Black Lives Matter movement this summer, which brought about a national reckoning on racism.
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“The Board took seriously the viewpoints and concerns raised by many students, parents, staff, and community members,” said School Board Chair Greg Anderson in a statement. “We thank everyone who shared their perspectives with us and will be mindful of your comments as we now begin selecting names that reflect the diversity of opinions in our community. Our schools must be places where all students, staff, and community members feel safe, supported, and inspired.”
A survey of parents, students, staff and community members revealed that about a quarter approved of changing the names, with parents and staff members voicing the most opposition (meanwhile, more than a third of students said they had no opinion on the matter).
The county is currently accepting nominations for a committee that will recommend five new names to the school board. Officials estimate the cost of changing the name will be about $96,760 for George Mason High School and $13,500 for Thomas Jefferson Middle School.
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Published on Dec 10,2020