Today The Takeaway looked at the controversy surrounding the name of a school in Jacksonville, FL. But that’s just one example in the nation—there are also race-based names attached to creeks, street signs, sports teams and theaters.
These names are vestiges of racial attitudes that are not yet entirely buried by our nation’s ongoing push for equality. They continue to be questioned, debated and in certain cases changed entirely.
But to change a name, you’ve got to change mindsets—and they can be the most difficult of all to overcome.
Joining The Takeaway to weigh in on the psychological effects of a name and whether any historical value is lost in the changing of a name is Dr. Leah Wright, professor of history and African American studies at Wesleyan.