In a controversial move, a school board in Virginia voted to restore the names of Confederate military leaders to a high school and an elementary school, reversing a decision made four years ago amid nationwide protests over racial injustice. The board voted 5-1 to rename Mountain View High School as Stonewall Jackson High School and Honey Run Elementary as Ashby Lee Elementary. This decision is believed to be the first of its kind according to experts. The previous decision to remove the Confederate names in 2020 was part of a nationwide trend to remove Confederate symbols and names in response to the Black Lives Matter movement.
Despite the trend towards removal of Confederate names and memorials, the Shenandoah County school board’s decision to restore the names marks a significant reversal. The school board members who voted to restore the Confederate names believed that the previous board ignored popular sentiment and due process when the names were stripped. The change in the board’s makeup following the 2023 elections led to a more conservative-leaning board, which played a role in the decision to restore the Confederate names. The lone board member who voted against restoring the names expressed respect for both sides of the debate, acknowledging that it is a complex issue.
During a six-hour meeting that included public comment, county residents voiced opposing views on the restoration of Confederate names. Those in favor of restoring the names argued that it was a statement of valuing tradition and history, while opponents believed it sent a message of disregarding the dignity and respect of minority students, faculty, and staff. The controversy surrounding the decision highlighted the complexities and sensitivities involved in addressing Confederate symbols and their historical significance in society. The resolution approved by the school board stated that private donations would fund the name changes, reflecting the ongoing debate over public funding for controversial issues.
The names to be restored, Stonewall Jackson and Ashby Lee, have historical significance as Confederate leaders in Virginia during the Civil War. Stonewall Jackson gained fame at the First Battle of Bull Run in 1861 and died in 1863, while Ashby Lee is named for both General Robert E. Lee and Turner Ashby, a Confederate cavalry officer. The decision to restore the names reflects the ongoing debate over how to reckon with the legacy of the Confederacy in public spaces and institutions. The school board’s resolution to use private donations for the name changes underscores the deep political divisions in Shenandoah County, which has a largely conservative population.
The removal and restoration of Confederate names and symbols have been part of a nationwide reckoning over racial injustice and historical legacies. In Virginia, local governments were previously banned from removing Confederate memorials until 2020 when the law was changed. The removal of Confederate statues in Richmond’s Monument Avenue and the renaming of schools in response to public pressure reflect the ongoing debate over how to address the legacy of the Confederacy. The decision in Shenandoah County to restore the Confederate names highlights the challenges and sensitivities involved in addressing the historical significance of Confederate symbols in contemporary society. Efforts to promote understanding and reconciliation continue to shape discussions around Confederate history and its impact on present-day communities.
