Virginia’s School Board in Shenandoah County has voted 5-1 to reinstate Confederate names for a high school and an elementary school, despite the concerns raised by many.
Gaylene Kanoyton, the president of the Hampton NAACP, expressed her concerns about the recent incident, highlighting the potential perpetuation of racism and bigotry in Virginia and beyond. She questioned whether these actions reflect a resurgence of Jim Crow-era policies in the 21st century.
Kanoyton emphasized the firm’s unwavering dedication to addressing systemic racism and pledged to actively promote inclusivity and equality across all areas of society.
Confederate military leaders, who fought against American soldiers to uphold the institution of slavery in the South, are having their names restored.
The Coalition for Better Schools, a right-wing group, wrote a letter to the school board expressing their belief that it is crucial to reconsider the decision in order to uphold our community’s heritage and honor the wishes of the majority.
The coalition achieved its goal of removing school board members who were against reinstating the Confederate names in 2022.
According to the Virginia NAACP, the military leaders of the Confederate States of America engaged in armed conflict against the United States of America with the aim of preserving and extending the institution of slavery.
In response to the tragic murder of George Floyd by the Minneapolis police, the board has made the decision to remove the Confederate names.
Shenandoah County resident and parent, Sarah Kohrs, expressed her opposition to restoring the Confederate names, a sentiment shared by the majority of the approximately 80 individuals who voiced their concerns to the school board.
“While the eyes of the world were fixed upon them, the Shenandoah county school board delivered a distressing message,” she expressed her disappointment. “We strongly condemn the board’s choice to go backwards and ‘celebrate’ individuals from the Civil War era who actively betrayed the United States and supported the institution of slavery and segregation.”
“I’m a Black student, and if the names are restored, I would have to represent a man who fought against the rights of my ancestors to be free,” one student expressed to the board members.
In 2020, the Southern Poverty Law Center reported that a significant number of public Confederate symbols, totaling at least 160, were either taken down or relocated from public places.
Shenandoah County has become the first known location to reinstate Confederate names and symbols.
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