Warren Christian, the great-great-grandson of Confederate General Stonewall Jackson, expressed his disappointment in the decision of the Shenandoah County School Board to restore the names of two schools that were previously named after Civil War Confederate generals. The schools were renamed in July 2021 as part of a nationwide trend to remove names and symbols associated with the Confederacy following Black Lives Matter protests. Despite efforts to move away from honoring Confederate figures, the predominantly white and Republican school board voted 5-1 to revert the names back to Stonewall Jackson High and Ashby Lee Elementary, honoring three well-known Confederate generals.
Jackson, who worked alongside General Robert E. Lee during the Civil War, played a significant role in key battles such as the Second Battle of Bull Run, the Battle of Antietam, the Battle of Fredericksburg, and the Battle of Chancellorsville. The decision to rename the schools after more neutral names was met with resistance from some community members who believed it was important to honor the heritage and history of the area. Warren Christian highlighted the concerns of a courageous eighth-grade student named Aaliyah, who expressed her discomfort representing a man who fought to uphold slavery. Christian questioned the school board’s decision to ignore the voices of students and community members who explained how reverting the names would be harmful and disrespectful.
Christian also addressed the argument made by the Coalition for Better Schools, who advocated for restoring the names to honor the community’s heritage and respect the wishes of the majority. He emphasized the importance of remembering and learning from history, particularly the lesson that slavery was wrong and rooted in a strong belief in white supremacy. He emphasized the importance of acknowledging the harm and injustice caused by the justification of slavery based on racial hierarchies that placed whites above Blacks. Christian’s remarks underscored the complexity of honoring history while also being mindful of the painful legacy of the Confederacy and its impact on marginalized communities.
The decision to restore the school names reflects a broader debate about how to confront and reconcile with the legacy of the Confederacy in the United States. While some argue that honoring Confederate figures is essential to preserving heritage and history, others contend that it perpetuates harmful ideologies and symbols associated with slavery and white supremacy. Warren Christian’s remarks highlighted the need for a nuanced and thoughtful approach to grappling with the fraught history of the Civil War and its aftermath. By engaging in dialogue and actively listening to the perspectives of those impacted by these decisions, communities can work towards creating a more inclusive and respectful environment for all members.
The controversy surrounding the renaming of schools named after Confederate generals underscores the ongoing challenges of navigating difficult and sensitive historical legacies. By acknowledging the perspectives of descendants such as Warren Christian, as well as the voices of students and community members, schools and communities can work towards a more inclusive and equitable approach to addressing the impact of Confederate symbols on marginalized groups. The decision to restore the school names in Shenandoah County serves as a reminder of the complex and multifaceted ways in which history, heritage, and memory intersect, requiring careful consideration and reflection to ensure that all members of the community feel respected and valued.
