What To Do If Your School Is Named After A Racist: The Jackson Redoux

28Mar
by Leticia Chavez-Garcia

Let’s take a look at the brave souls at Andrew Jackson Elementary School in the Salt Lake City School District of Utah. They recently changed their school name to Mary Jackson Elementary School. Andrew Jackson was known for the Trail of Tears, a cruel relocation of Native Americans, where thousands of people died en route, while Mary Jackson was an African American engineer at NASA. The new school name reflects a more positive image. It was that easy.  

So, why are so many schools named after notorious racists and even after KKK Grand Wizards? Who names these schools? Look no further than your local racist school board. The Board of Education is charged with naming public schools in their district. They also have the authority to fix it if it has been inappropriately named. There are hundreds if not thousands of schools that probably should be renamed.

I do think it unacceptable to have a school named after a murderous slave owner or an oppressor of Native Americans, particularly if the school in question consists of predominantly children of color. I would encourage school board members in California schools to reexamine some of the names on their school for appropriateness. I know that we live in a post-Donald Trump world where political correctness isn’t valued, but I still think that it is important that school namesakes reflect positively on the community and respect the demographics of their communities.  

It’s time to start asking questions about who schools are named for, and take action if the person whose name is on the school building isn’t reflective of the values of the community.

What do you think?

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Leticia Chavez-Garcia

Leticia Chavez-Garcia is a Mother, Grandmother, former Middle School Teacher, former Member of a School Board of Education and an Education Advocate for hundreds of parents and students in the Inland Empire. Having become a mother at 15, Leticia knows what it’s like to be a single mother trying to navigate the education system. Leticia received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science and Public Administration from California Baptist University and a Masters’ Degree in Education Technology from Cal State Fullerton in her 30’s. Leticia has used her knowledge and experience to help hundreds of families as an Education Advocate in the Inland Empire and currently works as an Education Specialist.

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