This is a disgusting decision. It is a reflection of a prominent version of christianity. They are insulting Black students and families by exalting the history of sin, oppression, and slavery in Virginia. This is sad, but consistent with systemic racism.
And this is happening in the wake of Frank Tyson's murder by police in Canton, Ohio. Seven times Tyson told the policeman, who had his knee on his neck, that he could not breathe. Then he went silent. Eric Garner. George Floyd. Frank Tyson. This is why Black people keep being killed by police--because in the south and in the north, where book bans continue to spread, our legislatures continue to dehumanize Black people and view their existence as only meant to serve whiteness. You're so right, Jemar, when you say, "In any situation where justice is at stake, we must prioritize the well-being of those most vulnerable and most likely to be victimized. In this case, the descendants of people that the Confederacy fought to keep in slavery should be the priority." And yet, here we are. :-( Thanks for continuing your courageous coverage of these discouraging trends.
Thanks for writing this article. My message to the people who want to bring these school names back is the following:
“That’s fine. It is your right. Just don’t ever claim to be compassionate, empathetic, or thoughtful toward others. As long as you don’t make that claim, I’m good. You do you, somehow claiming heritage not hate. I’ll continue to advocate for real justice, healing, and good faith reconciliation along with many others.”
Bigots recognize that they need to indoctrinate persons with their message starting at a young age. The rest of us have to step up to the plate and start running for every political office starting at the local level.
Yes. Local level work is critical. I'm writing more opinion articles in the local paper. Do you have any suggestions for getting involved close to home?
I learn so much from Dr. Jemar Tisby’s context for current events too. I hope the rebuilding of the Baltimore bridge will have a new name—no longer after an enslaver whose song we sing—despite its racism & white-centeredness. Is this song in Trump’s Bible too? Will the additions in Trump’s Bible be made obsolete by Trump’s & the Heritage Foundations’ “Project 25” with plans for many more setbacks.
There are so many aspects in project 2025 that would harm many of us & our friends. (Set America Back Again—Hope & pray not!!)
Can we have justice without righteousness ( right-relationship ) ? As the waterfall memorial at the Atlanta MLK museum prophesies .. a quote embossed from the scriptures from the book of Amos .. Are not both just .. & both just as important ?
Come Lord Jesus ( Rev 22:20 ) ! Be glorified through your people ( Rev 22:21 ) !
This is a disgusting decision. It is a reflection of a prominent version of christianity. They are insulting Black students and families by exalting the history of sin, oppression, and slavery in Virginia. This is sad, but consistent with systemic racism.
Yes. It is a version of Christianity, one I've often discussed called white Christian nationalism.
Yes sir! I've been paying attention to you and others on this topic for sometime.
As matter fact, I'm going to see you Sunday at Pastor Joel Bowman's church. :-)
And this is happening in the wake of Frank Tyson's murder by police in Canton, Ohio. Seven times Tyson told the policeman, who had his knee on his neck, that he could not breathe. Then he went silent. Eric Garner. George Floyd. Frank Tyson. This is why Black people keep being killed by police--because in the south and in the north, where book bans continue to spread, our legislatures continue to dehumanize Black people and view their existence as only meant to serve whiteness. You're so right, Jemar, when you say, "In any situation where justice is at stake, we must prioritize the well-being of those most vulnerable and most likely to be victimized. In this case, the descendants of people that the Confederacy fought to keep in slavery should be the priority." And yet, here we are. :-( Thanks for continuing your courageous coverage of these discouraging trends.
Tragic story...yet again. Thanks for amplifying the name and life of Frank Tyson.
Julie, thanks for honoring & bringing Frank Eugene Tyson to attention....so sad & angering; so many lives taken:
John Seewer, Reese Dunklin & Taylor Stevens, “AP Investigation: In Hundreds of Deadly Police Encounters, Officers Broke Multiple Safety Guidelines,” AP, Updated May 14, 2024, https://apnews.com/article/deadly-police-encounters-guidelines-broken-investigation-e79c708e9123aac2e40dcefd64cce08f
“All Cases,” within “Lethal Restraint,” AP, "An investigation documenting police use of force” https://apnews.com/projects/investigation-police-use-of-force/all-cases/#list
https://apnews.com/article/mental-health-crisis-911-police-alternative-civilian-responders-ca97971200c485e36aa456c04d217547 (8.28.23)
Thanks for sharing this. Feels reprehensible that they'd take that step back, but the call to keep the work up is important.
Reprehensible is the right word. I'm glad journalists reported on this. This board deserves all the scrutiny.
Thanks for writing this article. My message to the people who want to bring these school names back is the following:
“That’s fine. It is your right. Just don’t ever claim to be compassionate, empathetic, or thoughtful toward others. As long as you don’t make that claim, I’m good. You do you, somehow claiming heritage not hate. I’ll continue to advocate for real justice, healing, and good faith reconciliation along with many others.”
Yes. I often say that our most persuasive action is the testimony of our lives. We need to model the kind of life we hope others will follow.
Bigots recognize that they need to indoctrinate persons with their message starting at a young age. The rest of us have to step up to the plate and start running for every political office starting at the local level.
Yes. Local level work is critical. I'm writing more opinion articles in the local paper. Do you have any suggestions for getting involved close to home?
I learn so much from Dr. Jemar Tisby’s context for current events too. I hope the rebuilding of the Baltimore bridge will have a new name—no longer after an enslaver whose song we sing—despite its racism & white-centeredness. Is this song in Trump’s Bible too? Will the additions in Trump’s Bible be made obsolete by Trump’s & the Heritage Foundations’ “Project 25” with plans for many more setbacks.
There are so many aspects in project 2025 that would harm many of us & our friends. (Set America Back Again—Hope & pray not!!)
Thanks for mentioning the bridge! Had not heard who it was named after.
https://wamu.org/story/24/05/28/activists-call-to-rename-the-francis-scott-key-bridge-because-he-owned-enslaved-people/
Whose Heritage? https://www.splcenter.org/whose-heritage
https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/10/18/star-spangled-banner-racist-national-anthem/
There’s already work by the Caucus of African American Leaders requesting the renaming the replacement bridge to honor Rep Parren J Mitchell, “the first Black congressman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Maryland” https://wtop.com/baltimore/2024/04/group-wants-to-rename-collapsed-bridge-in-baltimore-once-its-rebuilt/
Respectfully ..
Can we have justice without righteousness ( right-relationship ) ? As the waterfall memorial at the Atlanta MLK museum prophesies .. a quote embossed from the scriptures from the book of Amos .. Are not both just .. & both just as important ?
Come Lord Jesus ( Rev 22:20 ) ! Be glorified through your people ( Rev 22:21 ) !
Love. U. Us.
❤️💚💙💫
— in Christ
, -w
Va NAACP Sues School Board, https://wamu.org/story/24/06/12/virginia-naacp-sues-school-board-that-restored-confederate-names/
Thanks to Dr. Tisby for the book recommendation by Angela Y. Davis!
This caught my attention too:
Leah Donnella, "In a Debate Over a School Name, iI's Not Just Parents Who Are Attached to the Past," Codeswitch, May 18, 2024, https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2024/05/18/1252192769/in-a-debate-over-a-school-name-its-not-just-parents-who-are-attached-to-the-past