Nathan Beford Forrest High: Time For a Name Change

[Tacachale]

^Literally no one thinks that. This is a false dilemma.

[sheclown]

Can't we have both?

An educational system worthy of our children

AND

Names which reflect the respect and care we have for the students?

[Tacachale]

^Yes. This isn't an either-or proposition. And it's certainly not like the name change would put the school in *worse* shape.

[HangingMoth]

I wasn't stating it as an either, or situation, more a question of importance. Like I said, if the school name needs to be changed, if it will help the morale and pride of the school, then change it. If the school continues to struggle then what's the point, that's all. 

[sheclown]

I wasn't stating it as an either, or situation, more a question of importance. Like I said, if the school name needs to be changed, if it will help the morale and pride of the school, then change it. If the school continues to struggle then what's the point, that's all. 

Jacksonville's schools need help. 

[theduvalprogressive]

Please join, Share, and Sign the Petition on the Page. Thank you...

https://www.facebook.com/renamenathanbedfordforresthighschoolinjax?notif_t=page_new_likes

[Cheshire Cat]

I have already signed. 

[KenFSU]

^Literally no one thinks that. This is a false dilemma.

The straw man does.

[Bativac]

I don't think the school name is that big a deal either way but I don't understand the strong attachment to the name, other than "it's always had that name." Forrest was not an important local historical figure and there are many, many such figures that do not have the baggage of being the founder of the KKK. I've read about Forrest - yes, his place in history is far more complicated and nuanced than "founder of the KKK," but I know I have had at least one out of town friend ask me, incredulous, if it was true that Jax had a school name after (here comes that phrase again) the founder of the KKK. "Well, yeah, but..."

Hanz Tanzler. Dorcas Drake. "Jacksonville Heights High School." These all seem like better names. And I'm a born and raised native Jacksonvillian, not an out of towner because I know we don't like anybody from someplace else telling us what needs to be fixed. But like I said, I guess it's not that big a deal either way - there are, after all, bigger problems that need fixing.

[Cheshire Cat]

I don't think the school name is that big a deal either way but I don't understand the strong attachment to the name, other than "it's always had that name." Forrest was not an important local historical figure and there are many, many such figures that do not have the baggage of being the founder of the KKK. I've read about Forrest - yes, his place in history is far more complicated and nuanced than "founder of the KKK," but I know I have had at least one out of town friend ask me, incredulous, if it was true that Jax had a school name after (here comes that phrase again) the founder of the KKK. "Well, yeah, but..."

Hanz Tanzler. Dorcas Drake. "Jacksonville Heights High School." These all seem like better names. And I'm a born and raised native Jacksonvillian, not an out of towner because I know we don't like anybody from someplace else telling us what needs to be fixed. But like I said, I guess it's not that big a deal either way - there are, after all, bigger problems that need fixing.

Perhaps there may be bigger problems in the eyes of some when it comes to a name change for this school.  However when an issue comes up over and over the way this one does, it is a clear indicator that there is a serious problem in the eye's of many that has not been properly resolved.  A name change is doable and by the looks of the current petition, thousands want one.  Time to stop kicking this can down the road and change the darn name.  Forrest had no history or connection to Jacksonville.  If we are going to honor someone by naming a school after them, let's at least make sure that person led an honorable life and perhaps even consider that person also have a history of positive influence in Jacksonville. 

[HangingMoth]

^Literally no one thinks that. This is a false dilemma.

The straw man does.

Yeah that last line was a little much; "is the school name more important than the students,"or something. I'm all for changing the name, signed the petition and everything, hopefully it won't take an act of congress to get it done so we can move on.

[Cheshire Cat]

^Literally no one thinks that. This is a false dilemma.

The straw man does.

Yeah that last line was a little much; "is the school name more important than the students,"or something. I'm all for changing the name, signed the petition and everything, hopefully it won't take an act of congress to get it done so we can move on.

I think the only one equating the name change and student performance here is you  HM and I have yet to see anyone else claim that one thing has anything at all to do with the other.  These are separate issues and the issue of improvements to our school system has been heavily discussed here and elsewhere.  The two issues are in no way mutually exclusive. 

[JaxNative68]

and this thread clearly explains why dcps no longer names schools after people. 

[HangingMoth]

^Literally no one thinks that. This is a false dilemma.

The straw man does.

Yeah that last line was a little much; "is the school name more important than the students,"or something. I'm all for changing the name, signed the petition and everything, hopefully it won't take an act of congress to get it done so we can move on.

I think the only one equating the name change and student performance here is you  HM and I have yet to see anyone else claim that one thing has anything at all to do with the other.  These are separate issues and the issue of improvements to our school system has been heavily discussed here and elsewhere.  The two issues are in no way mutually exclusive. 

No not equating the two, actually the opposite. It doesn't matter whatever name you call a school if it is not being successful at what it is intended to do, educate young people. But like I said no argument here about changing the name, and I liked your idea about putting it on a ballot. Better let the people decide rather than the city.

[JaxNative68]

it's not just dcps.  many cities have been going this route as well when it comes to naming public places, parks, bridges, etc.  It seems it is far to easy to apply today's morality on the past, which is completely unfair to the past.  60+ years from now people will be able to find fault in the names chosen today and wonder what the heck we were thinking.  the use of personal names usually has the greatest chance of becoming an ethics lightning rod in the future.  If you dig into most of our country's forefathers pasts (heck even our city founders), you can find something to be offended by base on today's standards.  the era is which one is born has the greatest impact on what types of skeletons they may be hiding.