Lee Mount Vernon... is it time for a name change?

[Anonymous]

I posted this on the LMVSC Townhall thread but I'd like to keep the conversation clear.

Lee High School in Faifax unanimously voted to change the name (source at bottom). My question is: should Lee Mount Vernon Sports Club change their name? Isn't it time to reflect the general sentiment of its members? It doesn't seem very appropriate for a youth sports club to be named after the Confederate General. To be honest, I'm not sure if Mount Vernon should be in the name either given its historical usage as a plantation. I am supportive of a name change. Perhaps something more community based like we were told is the most important thing during the townhall?

How about "Rose Hill Sports Club"?

[Anonymous]

Oops, source:
https://wtop.com/fairfax-county/2020/06/fairfax-county-school-board-votes-to-change-name-of-robert-e-lee-high-school/

[Anonymous]

i'm sure you saw the response on the townhall board. obviously, there won't be a name change. parents will call you a snowflake, and it's very evident the owner/leadership doesn't want it changed. i don't understand the hostility in the idea of changing the name. it's odd, considering the "be good citizens" speech that we heard during the town hall but apparently that means different things. i guess it just means make sure we keep paying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I posted this on the LMVSC Townhall thread but I'd like to keep the conversation clear.

Lee High School in Faifax unanimously voted to change the name (source at bottom). My question is: should Lee Mount Vernon Sports Club change their name? Isn't it time to reflect the general sentiment of its members? It doesn't seem very appropriate for a youth sports club to be named after the Confederate General. To be honest, I'm not sure if Mount Vernon should be in the name either given its historical usage as a plantation. I am supportive of a name change. Perhaps something more community based like we were told is the most important thing during the townhall?

How about "Rose Hill Sports Club"?

Snow in June?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I posted this on the LMVSC Townhall thread but I'd like to keep the conversation clear.

Lee High School in Faifax unanimously voted to change the name (source at bottom). My question is: should Lee Mount Vernon Sports Club change their name? Isn't it time to reflect the general sentiment of its members? It doesn't seem very appropriate for a youth sports club to be named after the Confederate General. To be honest, I'm not sure if Mount Vernon should be in the name either given its historical usage as a plantation. I am supportive of a name change. Perhaps something more community based like we were told is the most important thing during the townhall?

How about "Rose Hill Sports Club"?

Snow in June?

OP here. No, but, this month has seen large segments of our society come together in the name of expelling several racist parts of our collective past. Given the name "Lee Mount Vernon" has two specific descriptors to slave ownership ("Lee" for General Lee, "Mount Vernon" for George Washington's plantation), I would think there would be a more intelligent conversation about this. I wasn't even expecting much as far as empathy, but this is about par for the course. I'm curious, to the person who commented 'Snow in June?', do you have any position against the idea of changing the name? Or, do you prefer to go for some lulz? You know, there are many of us that support the idea of a name change; although, I suspect most don't feel one way or the other. So, what's your take?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I posted this on the LMVSC Townhall thread but I'd like to keep the conversation clear.

Lee High School in Faifax unanimously voted to change the name (source at bottom). My question is: should Lee Mount Vernon Sports Club change their name? Isn't it time to reflect the general sentiment of its members? It doesn't seem very appropriate for a youth sports club to be named after the Confederate General. To be honest, I'm not sure if Mount Vernon should be in the name either given its historical usage as a plantation. I am supportive of a name change. Perhaps something more community based like we were told is the most important thing during the townhall?

How about "Rose Hill Sports Club"?

Snow in June?

OP here. No, but, this month has seen large segments of our society come together in the name of expelling several racist parts of our collective past. Given the name "Lee Mount Vernon" has two specific descriptors to slave ownership ("Lee" for General Lee, "Mount Vernon" for George Washington's plantation), I would think there would be a more intelligent conversation about this. I wasn't even expecting much as far as empathy, but this is about par for the course. I'm curious, to the person who commented 'Snow in June?', do you have any position against the idea of changing the name? Or, do you prefer to go for some lulz? You know, there are many of us that support the idea of a name change; although, I suspect most don't feel one way or the other. So, what's your take?

There was a thread on this previously. It got taken down after someone went all "white lives matter". My guess is this one will devolve in the same way. I think the name should change and I think should start with members bringing it to the attention of the board and executive director.

[Anonymous]

Mount Vernon Sports Club could work - I doubt you're going to convince people in this area to drop that name. If you want something inclusive Gum Springs Sports Club (Gum Springs was founded by slaves freed by Washington, and is in the middle of their territory)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mount Vernon Sports Club could work - I doubt you're going to convince people in this area to drop that name. If you want something inclusive Gum Springs Sports Club (Gum Springs was founded by slaves freed by Washington, and is in the middle of their territory)

I absolutely love Gum Springs.

[Anonymous]

They should change it and maybe attract positive karma to the club, obviously that would mean getting rid of the Executive Director as well...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They should change it and maybe attract positive karma to the club, obviously that would mean getting rid of the Executive Director as well...

This would take an act of god.

[Anonymous]

I was on multiple of the townhall calls as I have multiple kids in the program and this wasn't brought up at any so saying that they wouldn't change is misleading according to one of the responses (not the OP). I personally think it's a good idea but instead of raising it on an unanimous board, I would speak to a few other members you know and getting their support and then reach out to the club leaders. If by chance you don't feel comfortable addressing it with others, just reach out to the club directly, write them, if no response follow-up with a call. You would get my vote for a name change. I just think there is a better way to do it than here where there a few people that are just looking to stir things up and because they have decided to leave the club, only try to bash the club.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was on multiple of the townhall calls as I have multiple kids in the program and this wasn't brought up at any so saying that they wouldn't change is misleading according to one of the responses (not the OP). I personally think it's a good idea but instead of raising it on an unanimous board, I would speak to a few other members you know and getting their support and then reach out to the club leaders. If by chance you don't feel comfortable addressing it with others, just reach out to the club directly, write them, if no response follow-up with a call. You would get my vote for a name change. I just think there is a better way to do it than here where there a few people that are just looking to stir things up and because they have decided to leave the club, only try to bash the club.

no offense towards you, but there's not exactly a sense of 'open door policy' if you ask me. i'm glad somebody has raised this, but i'm saddened that once again so many members of my 'community' go immediately to calling each other names. i appreciate your time and energy in the response, i think you raise valid points. but for me personally, not worth approaching them (we're done playing this year anyways)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was on multiple of the townhall calls as I have multiple kids in the program and this wasn't brought up at any so saying that they wouldn't change is misleading according to one of the responses (not the OP). I personally think it's a good idea but instead of raising it on an unanimous board, I would speak to a few other members you know and getting their support and then reach out to the club leaders. If by chance you don't feel comfortable addressing it with others, just reach out to the club directly, write them, if no response follow-up with a call. You would get my vote for a name change. I just think there is a better way to do it than here where there a few people that are just looking to stir things up and because they have decided to leave the club, only try to bash the club.

no offense towards you, but there's not exactly a sense of 'open door policy' if you ask me. i'm glad somebody has raised this, but i'm saddened that once again so many members of my 'community' go immediately to calling each other names. i appreciate your time and energy in the response, i think you raise valid points. but for me personally, not worth approaching them (we're done playing this year anyways)

Unfortunately I haven't had that experience. I have felt that I would be able to approach staff with feedback in the past. Although sometimes slow, I have had someone respond at different times. Maybe the first person may not be receptive at first but the second may be different and able to open up the conversation with the 1st and others. I think there is a way to do it and at least get the conversation going.

[Anonymous]

It’s obvious that a name change is the right things to do.

It’s pretty obvious the club won’t do the right thing.

What remains to be seen is whether families will actually be anti-racist and leave the club over the name change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s obvious that a name change is the right things to do.

It’s pretty obvious the club won’t do the right thing.

What remains to be seen is whether families will actually be anti-racist and leave the club over the name change.

Why do you say it's pretty obvious they won't do the right thing? Have you discussed this with them? Are you now saying the club is racist because of the name they have had for a long time? I agree that it could be changed but to pin the club as being racist because of the name is a bit ridiculous. You are clearly not aware of the diversity within the club. Families, players, coaches, staff, all diverse. Due to this diversity they probably would be open to the conversation. Some of this negativity is absurd.