Virginia County Schools to Revert to Confederate Names Despite Past Renaming Efforts

Photo of author
Written By Blue & Gold NLR Team

 

 

After a lengthy meeting, the Shenandoah County school board in Virginia made a significant decision in the early hours of Friday: they voted to bring back the names of three Confederate officers to schools in the district.

This move marks a change from the actions taken four years ago when, amidst nationwide discussions about racial justice following George Floyd’s killing, the board decided to rename two schools — Ashby-Lee Elementary and Stonewall Jackson High, which were then renamed Honey Run and Mountain View.

However, there was strong opposition in the rural county, leading to renewed efforts to restore the original Confederate names.

Board member Tom Streett defended the decision to return to the Confederate names, highlighting the qualities he associated with Stonewall Jackson.

This decision reflects a broader trend of revisiting choices made in 2020 and 2021 concerning racial issues and education across the United States. While the vote wasn’t unexpected, it underscores the ongoing divisions within the community.

The decision sparked passionate debates during the lengthy board meeting, with arguments both for and against restoring the Confederate names. Supporters argued that the previous renaming was flawed and undemocratic, while opponents expressed concerns about perpetuating symbols linked to racism and slavery.

Despite the disagreements, the majority of the board voted to bring back the original Confederate names, marking a significant change in the county’s educational landscape.

With this move, Shenandoah County becomes the first in the country to reinstate Confederate names to schools that had previously removed them, potentially setting a precedent for similar actions elsewhere in the nation.

Leave a Comment