Residents debate need for name change of Robert E. Lee High school and others: Part 1

This is a very difficult decision and should not be made as an immediate, knee-jerk reaction to pressure brought by either those favoring change or those opposing it. We encourage the Duval County School  Board  to consider it carefully and allow further thoughtful input from both positions.

On balance, however, we are convinced that the name should be changed out of respect for black students in the school’s district who would be expected to attend a school named in honor of a man who (the most credible historical records show), despite his many positive traits, owned slaves; managed an estate which owned other slaves; fought in court to keep slaves owned by his deceased father-in-law’s estate; separated slave families; had a slave beaten who tried to escape to freedom; continued to own or manage slaves until three days before the Emancipation Proclamation took effect; after the Civil War did not support equal rights for black citizens and remained silent about violence perpetuated by white supremacists during the Reconstruction.

Unlike ourselves in the days when we were in this school, black students today will know this history – and rightfully so.

If a number of this school’s current black students or black alums disagree with our position that the name should be changed, we might reconsider it. Their opinion would for us carry more weight.

We feel gratitude and loyalty to this high school for the helpful education received and the life-long friendships made. Both will continue because our gratitude and loyalty are to the school – not to the school’s name.

Dr. Phoebe Jackson Smith 
Robert E. Lee High School Class of 1951 (sister of Betty Jane Jackson Merrill ’53 and Pam Jackson Winton ’65)

Dr. RobertSymeSmith
Robert E. Lee High School Class of 1952 (brother of Margaret Smith White ’48)


There are so many reasons not to change the name of Robert E. Lee, besides the respect felt by each and every student and graduate for our school.

With money so tight in these days, the changing of a school name I am told is close to $200,000. How much more reasonable to use that amount of money for scholarships or educational items such as computers for students.  

Have you thought about what this renaming would cause amongst all the thousands of us who have graduated from Lee…our precious school would be gone. Those who support programs and projects would not be amenable to supporting them any longer if the name were changed.

Did you know that Robert E. Lee, at that time president of what was then Washington College in Lexington, Virginia, received a letter from an English nobleman offering him an annual salary of $50,000 to serve as president of a New York company promoting Southern commerce? That sum was over 30 times the $1,500 Lee originally was paid as a college president.

Lee wrote in reply, “I cannot leave my present position. I have a self-imposed task. I have led the young men of the South in battle. I must teach their sons to discharge their duty in life.”

It would be more than a shame to remove this great man’s name from the school he would have been so proud of.

Thank you. 

Beth Gay Freeman
Long ago, co-editor of The Traveler, a publication of Robert E. Lee High School


My name is Ruth Dellinger and I graduated with the class of 1995. I’m writing to share my voice in hopes that we will not bother trying to change the school’s name, Robert E Lee.

Please know that I’m beyond heartbroken at the thought of trying to change anything about our name. On top of the many historical reasons to preserve his name and our high school’s current name, it’s way too costly.

Ruth Dellinger
Robert E. Lee High School Class of 1995


My name is Hugh Blanton and I live at 1846 Margaret Street, Jacksonville, Florida.

While I am not an alumnus of Robert E. Lee High School, I am very much aware of the proud tradition of the school. The other  schools  bearing the names of American patriots — J.E.B. Stuart,   Kirby Smith,  Jefferson Davis Middle School  and Stonewall Jackson and Joseph Finnegan Elementary Schools –  also have proud traditions of educating and encouraging the very students  who  become  our  leaders. These schools were  given  their  names  at   a  time  when  authentic  history w as taught, not  the  revisionist  history being taught today. The Americans, for whom these schools were named, were patriots of the highest order and their legacies need to be remembered and taught, not sacrificed in the name of political correctness or, even worse, surrendered in the name of expediency, catering to the whims of current popular trends.

Even in better, more certain days, the action of changing the names of these schools could only be seen as reprehensible. But for the Duval County School Board to even consider, at present, spending the millions of dollars necessary to effectuate changing the names of these schools should be unthinkable. We are living in very troubled, uncertain times. This very board is presently anticipating spending a considerable amount of money in an attempt to make county schools safer during the current pandemic. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to predict the unforeseen expenses yet to come, which the school board will need to consider —and provide — in your efforts to keep the students safe in the future. To spend money unnecessarily in days like these could only been seen as imprudent.

Respectfully,

C.HughBlanton,Jr.
Riverside


Changing the names of schools, bases, other public buildings, and the destruction of memorials of historical figures, mainly Confederate soldiers has gone too far. Past presidents, Union generals and soldiers and many others were slave owners or their families were. What are we going to do? Tear all memorials down? Rename all public places? Change the name of WASHINGTON DC and all cities, including JACKSONVILLE, that have any connection to the past? We cannot obliterate history; we learn from it. Enough already. IT HAS GONE TOO FAR!

Michael Beaugh
Robert E. Lee High School Class of 1965


I am against changing the name of any school, especially Robert E. Lee High School. Changing names or tearing down statues is never going to change the past.

History should be “taught” not “revised” to benefit a few.

It is quite obvious that those wanting to change the name and tradition of Robert E. Lee High School do not understand the true history behind the man. He was a man of integrity, honor, and an educator.

Timeandmoneyshouldbespent providing forthesecurityandeducationofourchildren…notchanging the names of ourschools. Changeswillcostmillionsofdollars.Willtheonesscreaming(and the onesfollowing)helppayforthese changes?

I have many cherished memories and relationships during my high school years. Many friends and family graduated from Lee.

Our teachers and coaches at Lee taught us respect for each other, pride in our community, and of our school. To be a “Leader“… not a follower.

I will always be a proud Robert E. Lee General.

Reid Purvis
Robert E. Lee High School Class of 1964


It  seems to me we are getting to a point of being too politically correct in our actions and thoughts. Let’s take away all that may offend someone, and all will be better with the world. You know we can try to hide or remove history but in doing so you offend me and many, many others. The name Robert E. Lee to me means memories, friendships, athletic competition, strength, principles, ideals, academics, and love for our school, and what it stands for. Don’t infringe on my rights by taking away a part of my history. The name Robert E Lee, for God’s sake, isn’t meant to be prejudicial toward anyone. It stands for the “Fighting Generals.” It’s me and my fellow classmates, so please do not try and make things better by removing my high school’s name and my pride in it.

Have you also considered the huge economic explications involved by erasing the name Robert E. Lee? Do we really need to fund this proposal when our schools are already underfunded for academic needs? Put our monies into things that make sense not into something that is going to take away from academic strength and betterment for students. After all isn’t it supposed to be about our students? Leave the name as it stands “Robert E Lee High School.”

Thank you. 

RobertMitchellCox 
Robert E. Lee  High School Class  of  1966


Lee High School has been a well-respected institution in Jacksonville for over 90 years! To date, three generations of my family have graduated from Lee. I urge the School Board not to change the name of Lee High.

Where does this political correctness stop? Do we change our city’s name back to Cowford?

Cleveland T. Farnell 
Ortega
Robert E. Lee Class of 1972


My older brother and cousins all graduated from Robert E. Lee High School. I attended Lee in 1969-1970 and would have graduated as well had the school board not made a school boundary change that sent me to another high school. I am proud to have attended Lee. Robert E. Lee is a man that needs to be studied for his life’s contributions to this nation. He has a family history of patriotism. Keep the existing names of all our schools. Keep the name of Robert E. Lee High School! On a second note, all I have heard on local news the past year is the deplorable physical condition of many school facilities (mold and mildew, crumbling walls, floors, and ceilings, etc.). “Band Aid” repairs that are costly and cannot keep up with those needs. Now all new desks must be purchased due to COVID-19 concerns. There simply are no valid reasons to allocate funds to changing the names of schools.

Kim Hoffecker
Callahan


My name is Clifton Byrd, and I attended Robert E. Lee High School from September 1965 through June 1968. Lee was a top-ranked high school in Florida at that time, and we had a great sports program as well. I have very fond memories of those days and received what I believe was a very good education. And our Guidance Counselor was very helpful with my decision to attend college after graduation.

During my years at Lee, I cannot remember one single conversation that involved the name of our high school in a negative fashion. Robert E. Lee was a large figure in US history before, during and after the Civil War. He was and is a part of our history and that cannot be changed or altered by changing the name of our high school.

I truly feel like the events of the last month or so have driven a very small segment of our population to show disdain towards America and all that it stands for. A change in the school’s name will not change the events of the past, especially what took place 160 years ago. When asked which high school I went to, my answer will always be Robert E. Lee.

I would ask that you all, especially elected Duval County School Board, to please think long and hard about this decision. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Clifton Byrd
Ortega


My  first  cousin Gordon Terry forwarded me some info regarding the proposal to rename my alma mater. You can add my name to the list of those opposing the name change. Continued alumni support and the cost associated with a name change head my list for maintaining the status quo.

Need I mention the awkward timing of asking the voters to support a half-cent sales tax increase this November in light of a controversial name  change conversation affecting five or six of our local schools.

I recognize there is a process but rushing to judgment for renaming  schools does little, if anything, to improve the quality of education. Timing is everything and we should resist succumbing to all the noise and demands currently dominating the airwaves.

Robert E. Lee of Old Virginia was a principled man who made huge personal sacrifices and did not compromise his honor or integrity. Not a perfect man but one whose ideals are worthy of emulation. And certainly worthy of having a high school named in his honor in 1928,  if  memory serves me correctly.

My wife’s mother, Class of 1928. My mother, Class of 1939. My wife, Class of 1965.

I   live  in  Ortega  and  am  proud to be an alumnus of  Robert E. Lee High School Class of 1963. 

Respectfully,

Wirt Beard, Jr.
Ortega
Robert E. Lee High School Class of 1963


As a proud graduate and one of many Generals, I would like to give my opinion on the proposed name change of Robert E Lee High School.

Being a graduate of Lee makes you a member of a special group. This intergenerational thread weaves throughout the city of Jacksonville, the state of Florida, and across the nation. It is a great feeling when you meet someone that is from Jacksonville, and then find out that they went to Lee. The conversations that start from there are awesome. Whether it is talking about the Lee-Jackson game on Thanksgiving Day at the Gator Bowl, the Homecoming Parade, trips to Tallahassee for Youth Leg, or just talking about the teachers that taught there for decades.

Changing the name will deprive generations to come of  the opportunity to tie their experiences of being an alumnus of Lee with the many alumni that are out  there  now and will continue to be leaders in government, education, business, and the military.

I like to try to live my life following the saying “do no harm.” In changing the name, I can see no tangible gains but would cause harm by redirecting funds allocated for education to an idea that will not satisfy anyone.

Thank you.

Jeff Crotty
Robert E. Lee High School


I am a graduate of Robert  E.  Lee High School.  Please  do   not change the name of  our  schools. That is our history, and you cannot change history.

Dorothy Gross
Robert E. Lee High School Class of 1959


I graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1959.  I am and always have been proud that I had the opportunity to be educated at such a wonderful school. Robert E. Lee has a glorious history, great traditions and continued impact on the neighborhood, the community, the city, the state, and the nation, (as multitudes of graduates have moved away and contribute in areas far away).

Change the name of this established and prominent institution. WHY? In doing so, what would you create?

  •  I now live in Georgia, but when asked where I went to High School, the name and history is recognized by almost everyone.
  •  I have a diploma that I treasure. If the name is changed, then when my descendants review my treasures — the diploma would refer to a non- existent place.
  • When my graduating class gathers to celebrate, (60 years this past summer), we join gladly and remember all positive experiences. Future gatherings, (if they are even attended), will be comprised of negativity.
  • Contributions to the funds that have continued to support and undergird the many programs at Robert E. Lee High School would cease. 

Please consider the depth of what is being considered. Erasing a name does not create anything. Erasing a name does create animosity.

I earnestly request that the name of Robert E. Lee High School not be changed.

Anyse Henry Myers
Robert E. Lee High School Class of 1959


I believe that the high school in the name of Robert E. Lee should remain so named.

I further believe that prior to renaming any public property, that full knowledge of the person of the name should be researched — probably many of us will be pleasantly surprised to learn the high character of General Lee.

Also, such renamings affect the community and the taxpayers — the community and taxpayers should be afforded the right to vote on any renamings and/or monument removals.

We should leave the past, not forgotten, but in the past, and we should look and move forward positively with our time, talent and treasure for the greater good.

TinaGriffin
San Marco
Robert E. Lee High School Class of 1964


My name is Sarah Price.  I am writing to ask that you rename Lee High, Stuart Middle, Jackson Elementary, Finegan Elementary, Davis Middle, and Kirby Smith Middle. Please remove the racist Confederate names from these schools. Our city deserves better. Our students deserve better. We should not be honoring people who fought to preserve slavery. Thank you.

Sarah Price


Ecclesiastes probably has it right in its observation that to everything there is a season. It is probably time to say that the season of glorifying the so-called heroes of what we humorously call “the War of Northern Aggression” should end. I do not propose that Civil War and the Southerners who fought in it be swept into a  black  hole of history, but it is probably not a bad idea to end the glorification of the “heroes” whose aim was to dissolve the Union in order to preserve a bad idea –  slavery.

William Nussbaum
Avondale
Robert E. Lee High School, all white Class of 1958


I  went  to  Lee   as  did  my  father,  mother,  and  aunts  and  uncles.  I  actually had  a  teacher  that taught my dad, Class of  1966. Changing the name makes no sense.

Randy Rhoden


While  composing this letter,  I  look  on  the  wall  and  see  my  high school diploma. It instills the emotions of pride and personal achievement. It evokes deeply cherished and irreplaceable memories. While attending “Lee” in the 60’s, John F. Kennedy was shot dead in a motorcade by a socialist ideologue, and the Vietnam War escalated to new heights. Widespread domestic violence and civil discord were commonplace across the US much like it is today. It was a time of bewilderment and confusion, especially to a teenager trying to figure out who or where they were in the progression of life.

We were confused and conflicted about where to go with our lives in an uncertain world without a compass.

Many classmates did not return from that war. Sadly, our fallen classmates are not with us tonight in defense of our alma mater, but they’re here in spirit, and carrying our banner.

Four members of my immediate family graduated from Lee High School. We have all shared a common bond beginning in the 1930s. Nobody can take from us. Lee’s renown athletic program was the envy of every coach in Florida, producing more college and professional athletes in the state, if not the country. Academically, Lee’s faculty produced the highest percentage of graduating seniors for acceptance by top colleges and universities in the county. Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Chapel Hill, MIT, and Stanford to name a few.

As  I  look  up  at  my diploma once more, I envision a blank space that could be filled in with whatever some authority deems appropriate. Should that become reality, I’ll know for sure that it’s another ill-conceived plan, thoughtlessly proffered by the loudest voice in the room with little understanding of historical fact.

Our family’s loyalties, and pride are woven into our fabric and into our souls. The decision to rename someone’s alma mater or any school for that matter, should be reserved for those who went there, toiled there and learned there. We stand proudly among our peers of every color, race, and creed as we will for anyone who has the desire to better themselves.

But you just can’t take away our soul……

Respectfully,

Malachi Haughton, IV
Ortega
Robert E. Lee High School, Class of 1966


I  am a  1980  graduate of Lee,  and   I  honestly feel  that  the  kids  going  to  the  school l right  now  and  in  the  future  are  the ones going   to  be  most  affected  by  a  name  change.  So,  why  not  have  them  choose  whether  to  change  the  name,  and   if they choose let them pick the new name? With everything going on, wouldn’t it be a great distraction for them to have a vote and something to be involved in a positive way? I think this would be a win- win situation. I   am  a  proud  alumni  of  Lee High   School,   and    yes,  it’s  sad  to  see the  name  change,  but  if  it  will  help  future   alumni   feel  better  about  their   high  school experience than who are we to stop that.

Odette Winne
Robert E. Lee High School Class of 1980


I attended Lee High School in order to receive an education, not as a matter of school name or to idolize the now non-existent Confederacy for which General Lee fought. I wish more consideration would be given to those who have graduated from Lee High School since 1928 above anyone pretending that events from well over 100 years ago will be erased by changing a school name. I honestly believe that changing long standing names of schools, streets, parks, and such is creating more divide among people than bringing us together.

Students of many racial origins have graduated from Lee High School. Why does it appear that only one race is dictating all of these changes? It shouldn’t be about “race” or a name at all; it should be about a place where students go and receive a quality education. It should be a place where teachers want to teach, and students want to learn. It should be about a place where young people learn teamwork and that hard work pays off.

Please ‘E-Race’ this madness and let the name Robert E. Lee Senior High School stand. I have a right to this part of my life story.

Julie Kaysen Ryan
Robert E. Lee High School Class of 1972


I am writing in regards to the possible renaming of Robert E. Lee High School.

I   am a  graduate  of  Robert  E.  Lee  High  School  and want to support  keeping our  school  name in place. This  is  a  proud school with alumni  going  back  generations  and traditions  that  continue  today  since  the  beginning.

I  was  the yearbook editor for the “General” and  many  our  themes were based on our school’s great  namesake. We cannot erase our history by removing names that many of us cherished during some great times in high school.

Please do not change our school’s name.

Tim Gaskin
Riverside

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