Three public schools in Chicago will be receiving new names this fall, including Christopher Columbus Elementary School in Ukrainian Village. Founded in 1886, the school was named after the Italian explorer as a reminder of the positive attributes its students should strive to embody. However, his namesake is now being stripped aside after a 7-3 vote by the Local School Council in favor of a former associate justice of the Supreme Court.
The current building was built in 1910, sporting Columbus’ name for over a century before the latest move by CPS in an effort to do away with “problematic” figures from history. In 2023, the district approved a policy for renaming schools, ensuring new names would be “culturally responsive, anti-racist, anti-bias, and promote diversity and representation within district learning environments.” As a result, the school will soon become known as Ruth Bader Ginsburg Elementary.
Some community members, such as Board of Education member Tanya Woods, are celebrating this change. “This is a step that’s not taken lightly,” said Woods. And it sends a very strong message to the communities that exist today but also to the children and the families that will participate in these school communities in the future.”
However, members of the Italian American community aren’t thrilled with the move, but it comes as no surprise given that Christopher Columbus monuments in the city have been under attack for some time. Why would schools be any different?
The school had a strong connection to the navigator. According to its website, “Christopher Columbus Elementary School was named after the explorer. While controversy surrounds this man, it cannot be denied that he was courageous, an adventurer, and a man who beat the odds to discover a new land. Our students strive to emulate the positive characteristics of an explorer: bravery, intelligence, persistence, and determination.”
While Ruth Bader Ginsburg is certainly a figure worth celebrating, Christopher Columbus is not a name that deserves to be erased from history. His accomplishments and contributions to mankind, coupled with his strong symbolic meaning within the Italian American Community, should be reason enough to preserve his legacy.
Resources:
- CPS to rename 3 schools, including one named after Christopher Columbus [Chicago Sun-Times]
- Chicago Public Schools considers renaming three elementary schools [Chicago Tribune]
- Columbus Elementary School Website
Oh Heck No, What is wrong with People ? This is a DISGRACE ! Way To Go Chicago !
Chicago is a fucking disgrace. I lived in the ‘burbs and wouldn’t go Downtown if you paid me. The Dems who ran that city have absolutely, fucking destroyed it; just like every other major city they’re running. Running it right into the ground. Fuck all you “woke” assholes!! May you all burn in fucking hell.
Leave Columbus alone. He was a hero. Find someone else to denigrate. Go chase yourselves.
Diversity, yeah right. What’s there excuse for stripping rights away from biological born women and girls? This presidency and his policies. Just look what is happening not just in Chicago but NY, California and all the other blue states. Are they really concerned with children’s education?
You are so right! The CPS teacher’s union has run this city since the 80’s. And now the major is probably the worst the city has seen since Old Man Daley. They have no concern for the children…especially when they kept them out of school for over a year. STOP already with this renaming shit…and try focusing on the children for once. They are bleeding the home owners in property taxes, and probably one of the worst education system in the country.
Knowing what a cesspool Chicago has become, this isn’t really a shocker. And Michelle Obama complains about Caucasians leaving the city?🙄 Also, take a good look at the photo of the board. I think that says it all.
Just more stupidity from a few people with little knowledge of any facts and refuse to listen to any truth
Who wanna poop? ME!