New Name for JEB Stuart HS - 9/16 Community Vote

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It will be Justice.

The Mendez motion failed on a 6-6 tie and then Corbett-Sanders left, so it will be at least 6-5 in favor of Justice.

A Post article the other day left me confused--are they still talking about the full, formal name being "Justice Thurgood Marshall HS" with people being told to refer to it as Justice, or are they now dropping the "Thurgood Marshall" and wanting it to be "Justice High School"? The Post implied the choice now was Justice without Marshall's name but it wasn't made clear.

The "formal" name as approved is Justice High School. The intent is to honor each of Thurgood Marshall, Barbara Rose Johns, and Col. Louis Mendez. It is not shorthand for "Justice Thurgood Marshall HS." There was a separate motion to that effect by Keys-Gamarra, and it was defeated.

I'm so happy this process is over. I think picking Justice over an individual's name was a good choice. To the person who likes posting "says the person who is ok with other schools named after whites," please don't post that because I'm a minority and I don't have some hidden agenda here. Hopefully our community can move on and rebuild our cohesion after two years of uncertainty.

[Anonymous]

And, I understand that there is a group who has already begun pushing for more name changes. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ spent on name changes and not kids. This could go on for a very long time.

I understand that there may have been a need for a name change. But, our SB really has no common sense.

And, many of them really do not understand that most "keepers" were not racist. The SB members who kept blaming it on "massive resistance" as a reason to change the name do not understand, either. Munson Hill was the site of Stuart's camp. Was the name insensitive? Yes. Was it deliberately sticking a finger in the eye to minorities? Likely not. They probably did not even consider the feelings of others. But, to say that they did it out of spitefulness is reading minds of people they did not know.

Some of the changers seem to think that attacking the people who want to keep the name as racist is helpful. I understand where they are coming from--but to attack people who had nothing to do with naming the school, but simply want to keep the name out of tradition as racist--is not helpful and just continues the divisiveness.

I have read some tweets from people who were insistent on changing the name. Some of the things written about McLaughlin and others were offensive. Calling her a "confederate" is offensive. Others have called Schultz a "white supremacist'. They are just sustaining a divisive element in this community. Some have nothing to do with the school.

To choose a name based on someone's skin color is also racist. Think about it. To honor someone who deserves it--is a good thing and if it is a person of color, then, great.

I was a supporter of "Stuart". It was the first choice of the community more than one time. It was the first choice of most students. I really believed it would not be connected with Jeb Stuart, but would enable some traditions to continue. Most of all, I thought it was the best choice because it would cost the least money.
During the meeting last night, I changed my mind. I thought that Mendez--after hearing the information about his life and his connection to the community--was an absolutely perfect choice. Why? Because his life had so many facets for all kids. A war hero; a diplomat; someone who was fiercely interested in helping kids read. But, most of all--he could be any kid in that school. While well known among some, he was mostly a regular citizen who worked hard and did great things with not much acknowledgement. To me, it indicated that he could be your next door neighbor or your cousin. Anyone you know could turn into someone like him. Someone who could be set as an example for the kids.
(It also would have been great and appropriate to have been able to keep "Raiders". "Mendez Raiders" has a good sound and, with the current situation in Korea, it would have been a great opportunity to learn more about that conflict--which is still the longest conflict in our military history.) It would also have been a good opportunity to have learned more about WWII from a more personal point of view.

I also think Thurgood Marshall would have been a great choice, but I would not have supported it had I been on the SB. In my opinion, it should have been taken off the table long ago and not among those considered. Why? Because there is already a Marshall High School and, no matter how the name would have been parsed, it still would have been "Marshall." I am still stunned that the SB members let it stay as long as they did.

I do wonder if the SB members who voted against Mendez did so because Schultz presented it. I also wonder if some voted against it because he was a military officer. Yes, some of our SB members lean that far left.

As far as Evans, I would never vote for her. Strauss needs to go. Her comments to the Mendez family were offensive

[Anonymous]

It's about time Sheriff Buford T. Justice received this justly-due recognition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And, I understand that there is a group who has already begun pushing for more name changes. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ spent on name changes and not kids. This could go on for a very long time.

I understand that there may have been a need for a name change. But, our SB really has no common sense.

And, many of them really do not understand that most "keepers" were not racist. The SB members who kept blaming it on "massive resistance" as a reason to change the name do not understand, either. Munson Hill was the site of Stuart's camp. Was the name insensitive? Yes. Was it deliberately sticking a finger in the eye to minorities? Likely not. They probably did not even consider the feelings of others. But, to say that they did it out of spitefulness is reading minds of people they did not know.

Some of the changers seem to think that attacking the people who want to keep the name as racist is helpful. I understand where they are coming from--but to attack people who had nothing to do with naming the school, but simply want to keep the name out of tradition as racist--is not helpful and just continues the divisiveness.

I have read some tweets from people who were insistent on changing the name. Some of the things written about McLaughlin and others were offensive. Calling her a "confederate" is offensive. Others have called Schultz a "white supremacist'. They are just sustaining a divisive element in this community. Some have nothing to do with the school.

To choose a name based on someone's skin color is also racist. Think about it. To honor someone who deserves it--is a good thing and if it is a person of color, then, great.

I was a supporter of "Stuart". It was the first choice of the community more than one time. It was the first choice of most students. I really believed it would not be connected with Jeb Stuart, but would enable some traditions to continue. Most of all, I thought it was the best choice because it would cost the least money.
During the meeting last night, I changed my mind. I thought that Mendez--after hearing the information about his life and his connection to the community--was an absolutely perfect choice. Why? Because his life had so many facets for all kids. A war hero; a diplomat; someone who was fiercely interested in helping kids read. But, most of all--he could be any kid in that school. While well known among some, he was mostly a regular citizen who worked hard and did great things with not much acknowledgement. To me, it indicated that he could be your next door neighbor or your cousin. Anyone you know could turn into someone like him. Someone who could be set as an example for the kids.
(It also would have been great and appropriate to have been able to keep "Raiders". "Mendez Raiders" has a good sound and, with the current situation in Korea, it would have been a great opportunity to learn more about that conflict--which is still the longest conflict in our military history.) It would also have been a good opportunity to have learned more about WWII from a more personal point of view.

I also think Thurgood Marshall would have been a great choice, but I would not have supported it had I been on the SB. In my opinion, it should have been taken off the table long ago and not among those considered. Why? Because there is already a Marshall High School and, no matter how the name would have been parsed, it still would have been "Marshall." I am still stunned that the SB members let it stay as long as they did.

I do wonder if the SB members who voted against Mendez did so because Schultz presented it. I also wonder if some voted against it because he was a military officer. Yes, some of our SB members lean that far left.

As far as Evans, I would never vote for her. Strauss needs to go. Her comments to the Mendez family were offensive

This narrative about "far left" people not supporting our military is ridiculous. "Far left" people support our military just as much as anyone else in our country. You're here lecturing about not painting keepers with a broad brush and calling them racist, but are perfectly ok with calling "far left" people anti military. What happened to your lecture about not labeling people?

[Anonymous]

This narrative about "far left" people not supporting our military is ridiculous. "Far left" people support our military just as much as anyone else in our country. You're here lecturing about not painting keepers with a broad brush and calling them racist, but are perfectly ok with calling "far left" people anti military. What happened to your lecture about not labeling people?

Oh, please. Some of those people were likely out protesting against soldiers and calling them "baby killers" back in the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

This narrative about "far left" people not supporting our military is ridiculous. "Far left" people support our military just as much as anyone else in our country. You're here lecturing about not painting keepers with a broad brush and calling them racist, but are perfectly ok with calling "far left" people anti military. What happened to your lecture about not labeling people?

Oh, please. Some of those people were likely out protesting against soldiers and calling them "baby killers" back in the day.

Ok, so people shouldn't label "keepers" racist, but you should label "far left" people anti military. You have no credibility. I'm as liberal as they get and this was my response a few pages back to a negative comment about naming the school after Mendez:

"Mr. Mendez's accomplishments were significant in and of themselves, some would say more so than Soto-Mayor's given his willingness to literally put his life on the line fighting for freedom for his fellow human beings. Sorry his military service isn't fancy enough for you."

I viewed his military service as a plus. This is not a left/right issue. I doubt anyone who opposed Mendez did so based on his military service. But I'm sure you'll keep beating that drum.

[Anonymous]

First, full disclosure: We don't live in the Stuart zone, though I've followed this decision for a long time as have a lot of parents and students who are in FCPS but not at Stuart. And I personally favored changing the name to anything but "Stuart."

The thought: It would be a very positive gesture if people who support the name change would offer donations to help defray the costs of the change. I admit I am thinking particularly of well-known alums who backed the change publicly such as Julianne Moore and Bruce Cohen. I don't mean that as any snark at those alums at ALL and I absolutely agree with them. It just might defuse the "It's expensive" argument among those still angry about the change if alums, famous or not, could help defray the costs even minimally.

FCPS is strapped for cash and that won't improve. I do think the change has to happen and the cost will get spread out over several years--it won't be a one-time bill, probably. Butit would be a great gesture if those who initiated the discussion, and have means, were to offer to help that process along.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
First, full disclosure: We don't live in the Stuart zone, though I've followed this decision for a long time as have a lot of parents and students who are in FCPS but not at Stuart. And I personally favored changing the name to anything but "Stuart."

The thought: It would be a very positive gesture if people who support the name change would offer donations to help defray the costs of the change. I admit I am thinking particularly of well-known alums who backed the change publicly such as Julianne Moore and Bruce Cohen. I don't mean that as any snark at those alums at ALL and I absolutely agree with them. It just might defuse the "It's expensive" argument among those still angry about the change if alums, famous or not, could help defray the costs even minimally.

FCPS is strapped for cash and that won't improve. I do think the change has to happen and the cost will get spread out over several years--it won't be a one-time bill, probably. Butit would be a great gesture if those who initiated the discussion, and have means, were to offer to help that process along.

I think they said there would be a link on the FCPS website so people could donate. Let's see if people step up once the link is up and running.

[Anonymous]

Online portal for contributions is up. Hopefully everyone who fought for the change will consider donating.

[Anonymous]

What gets to me, is they spent so much time getting the community to suggest names, went through all the votes, came up with the top 5 names to choose from.... and....

They didn't choose any of the names and pulled a random name out of the blue. What good is community input, if they just go and ignore it????

Everyone who spent time to go out, vote, suggest names, give their input should be offended that they just outright ignore us. The process meant nothing.

[Anonymous]

Let's name it Donald Trump High School, they deserve it

[Anonymous]

FCPS is strapped for cash and that won't improve. I do think the change has to happen and the cost will get spread out over several years--it won't be a one-time bill, probably

No, I think this will be in the first year. Usually, uniforms, etc., signs are replaced over several years, but, in this case, it will be like opening a new school. That was what was said at one of the summer meetings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What gets to me, is they spent so much time getting the community to suggest names, went through all the votes, came up with the top 5 names to choose from.... and....

They didn't choose any of the names and pulled a random name out of the blue. What good is community input, if they just go and ignore it????

Everyone who spent time to go out, vote, suggest names, give their input should be offended that they just outright ignore us. The process meant nothing.

Justice wasn't out of the blue. Those who suggested Thurgood Marshall proposed calling the school Justice Thurgood Marshall HS and calling it Justice for short to differentiate it from the other Marshall HS. The board just skipped the confusion with the other Marshall and named it Justice. I think the Thurgood Marshall people were planning to call the school Justice anyway so the board basically went with the Marshall voters but avoided any issues with having two Marshall Highs. The board tried to bring in the Johns and Mendez supporters by saying it represents them too. I think it was a better choice then picking any of the three individual names.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It will be Justice.

The Mendez motion failed on a 6-6 tie and then Corbett-Sanders left, so it will be at least 6-5 in favor of Justice.

A Post article the other day left me confused--are they still talking about the full, formal name being "Justice Thurgood Marshall HS" with people being told to refer to it as Justice, or are they now dropping the "Thurgood Marshall" and wanting it to be "Justice High School"? The Post implied the choice now was Justice without Marshall's name but it wasn't made clear.

The "formal" name as approved is Justice High School. The intent is to honor each of Thurgood Marshall, Barbara Rose Johns, and Col. Louis Mendez. It is not shorthand for "Justice Thurgood Marshall HS." There was a separate motion to that effect by Keys-Gamarra, and it was defeated.

I'm so happy this process is over. I think picking Justice over an individual's name was a good choice. To the person who likes posting "says the person who is ok with other schools named after whites," please don't post that because I'm a minority and I don't have some hidden agenda here. Hopefully our community can move on and rebuild our cohesion after two years of uncertainty.

If that was a goal, having a vote, and then ignoring it was pretty counter-productive.

[Anonymous]

Karen Keys-Gamarra tried on the fly last night to make it explicit that Justice was only shorthand for Justice Thurgood Marshall, and got shot down. Not an auspicious start and she seriously pissed off people who'd been told it would also honor Johns and Mendez. It also looked like she was relying on the student rep throughout the night to explain things to her.