Virginia school board votes to restore Confederate names to two schools

[Ana the Ist]

Nearly four years ago, the Shenandoah County School Board ... moved to rename Stonewall Jackson High School and Ashby Lee Elementary School. The schools had been named after Confederate Gens. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, Robert E. Lee and Turner Ashby.

That 2020 move was part of a resolution condemning racism and affirming the district’s “commitment to an inclusive school environment,” according to school board documents.

The schools have been called Mountain View High School and Honey Run Elementary School since July 2021, according to board documents.

But the composition of the school board is different now than it was during the 2020 decision – all six seats are held by different people.

The 5-1 vote came after hours of public comment during a meeting that began Thursday evening from people speaking on both sides of the issue. Vice Chairman Kyle L. Gutshall was the sole opposing vote.

“I ask that when you cast your vote, you remember that Stonewall Jackson and others fighting on the side of the Confederacy in this area were intent on protecting the land, the buildings and the lives of those under attack,” said a woman urging the board to restore the Confederate names. “Preservation is the focus of those wishing to restore the names.”

Sarah Kohrs, a mother of two students attending schools in the district, is among several parents and residents who said ahead of the vote that they were opposed to restoring the Confederacy-tied names and were frustrated it was being considered.

“It’s very frustrating to know that here we are four years after that, and we still have a small portion of the community that just refuses to move on,” Kohrs told CNN.

That's how it always goes...ain't it?

One day you're tearing down Confederate statues....the next you're putting the names of generals back on the schools.

I'd be fine with anyone who thinks these things are important are no longer involved in politics.

 

[Zaha Torte]

The current "virtue signalling" is either pro-Confederate, or the apparent pro-Confederate "virtue signalling" is racist in nature. Neither should be seen as "good".

A claim that we can combat racism by changing the name of anything is virtue-signaling.

 

[Hans Blaster]

A claim that we can combat racism by changing the name of anything is virtue-signaling.

What is the virtue signaled by restoring the names of traitors to public schools?

 

[durangodawood]

A claim that we can combat racism by changing the name of anything is virtue-signaling.

Sure we can mind read about various peoples motivations.

Buts thats beside the point of whats actually the right thing to do.

 

[Zaha Torte]

What is the virtue signaled by restoring the names of traitors to public schools?

I don't know. I don't recall claiming that it was. It could very well be.

 

[Zaha Torte]

Sure we can mind read about various peoples motivations.

Buts thats beside the point of whats actually the right thing to do.

In post #284 the OP shared another article that quoted the Federal complaint against the reversal by claiming that it,

"...denies Black students an equal opportunity to education by forcing them to attend a school named after Confederate leaders."

I am not reading minds when I claim that their motivation to rename the school is to somehow combat racism.

 

[durangodawood]

I am not reading minds when I claim that their motivation to rename the school is to somehow combat racism.

Sure. But then you go to "virtue signalling", which is imputing an other somewhat disingenuous motive.

 

[Zaha Torte]

Sure. But then you go to "virtue signalling", which is imputing an other somewhat disingenuous motive.

That is virtue signaling. There is just no getting around it.

 

[durangodawood]

That is virtue signaling. There is just no getting around it.

No it isnt.

 

[Zaha Torte]

No it isnt.

Did it make those who proposed the idea look more virtuous or socially conscious without actually doing what they claimed that it would (combating racism)?

 

[durangodawood]

Did it make those who proposed the idea look more virtuous or socially conscious without actually doing what they claimed that it would (combating racism)?

Doesnt matter how it looks to you. Thats your response. And youre probably inclined to see it in a poor light. Nor does success matter.

What matters is intent. Intent to signal something laudatory about yourself. Thats where the mind reading comes in.

I know this because I think naming schools after these confederates is a bad idea. And I know I dont care if you think Im virtuous.

 

[Zaha Torte]

Doesnt matter how it looks to you. Thats your response. And youre probably inclined to see it in a poor light. Nor does success matter.

What matters is intent. Intent to signal something laudatory about yourself. Thats where the mind reading comes in.

I know this because I think naming schools after these confederates is a bad idea. And I know I dont care if you think Im virtuous.

You may also be virtue signaling if you think it is a bad idea because the original names promoted racism.