Residents debate need for name change of Robert E. Lee High school and others: Part 2
My wife Betty and I are writing in opposition to changing the name of Robert E. Lee High School as alumni of the classes of 1966 and 1967 respectively. We met at Lee, married and have been married 51years. As graduates of Lee, we are true Generals as are so many of the young students we have met over the years. It was a great school when my wife and I attended.
My oldest son attended Lee until he, a friend of mine, and I were attacked by black students and non-students hanging out at night after a football game. This occurred in the 1980’s. We decided we did not want our kids to be harassed like that, so we moved to the Ed White school district. Two of our children graduated from Ed White and the other from Stanton. Lee went through a bad time during that period and then came the fire. So many of my classmates donated funds for the reconstruction after the fire.
My son and I visited Lee during my class of 1967 50th reunion in June 2017 and the school was first class at that point. We were greeted by faculty and students, most were black. They loved the school and the legacy of the Lee Generals. When students and faculty were asked about the name, they expressed their support of the name, and they truly loved the school as much as we did.
Now because of outside influences, the school board is considering a name change again. This was attempted before by City Council and the outcry was loud and clear, do not change the name.
I have talked to Dr. Greene at various Jax Chamber meetings, and she is proud of the improvements in the district for the students. The board should continue that improvement by focusing on repairs of the schools that need facility upgrades such as Fishweir and Bayview Elementary Schools. In addition, curriculum should include American history to educate students about the Civil War and the role of General Lee and others made on life as we know it. Let us not waste money trying to change the school names to appease those who have no history with the schools and some no history of Jacksonville.
As taxpayers, we do not want to pay for any name changes and even if you secured private funding, the funding should go to improving education and not changing school names. Those who attended should have a say and our two votes are against any name change.
William“Pat”Geer
Robert E. Lee Class of 1967
BettyPemberton Geer
Robert E. Lee Class of 1966
As a second-generation alumnus of Robert E. Lee, whose daughter also graduated from the school, I am writing to OPPOSE any name change to the school.
Robert E. Lee High School is a much-honored institution, named for an honorable historic figure and changing the name of the school would dishonor its long history and those of us who graduated.
Please carefully consider the harm which would be done in changing the name of this school given its deep and enduring roots in the community.
James S. Davis
Graduate, Robert E. Lee High School
I imagine the cost involved with changing the names of multiple schools is horrendous. Therefore, I do not feel that now is the time for name changes. If Robert E. Lee gets changed to Riverside High, I have no problem with that in the future, just not now while so many people are homeless, unemployed, hungry, etc.
I suggest that the structures holding the names of the schools should include copies of Augusta Savage’s statue, “Lift Every Voice.” I saw the copy of the statue at an exhibit in the Cummer Gallery. It was very moving, showing unity and brotherhood and love and peace in the shape of a harp made of human figures. The statue is named after “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by James Weldon Johnson and his brother. The song could be applied to anyone on this planet, male, female, young, old, of different races, and creeds.
Rather than the expenses involved in changing schools’ names, the statue could hold the school’s name and a plaque with Augusta Savage and Mister Johnson figures and/or the words to the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” In my opinion, this would show unity, peace, love – all mentioned above – with history that can’t be changed but could be built upon in a peaceful unbiased manner.
I believe the Black lives matter. I believe that Hispanic lives matter. I believe that all lives matter. During this period of social reformation, unity and peace must be the result and equality would exist.
Mark Gebhardt
Riverside
I wish to express my stance on changing the name of my beloved school. I’m very much against it! My two older brothers and my sister also attended Lee High and always spoke of the honor of going there. I don’t think we should change our history, but we can learn from it.
John Rukab
Robert E. Lee High School Class of 1966
On October 2, 1865 after the war, Robert E. Lee signed an Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America. The document was “misplaced” and not found until 1975 when his citizenship was fully restored by the US Congress.
So, what is the main criterion for the name changed Association with the Civil War? If so, then tens of thousands of us must change our surnames since we have beloved ancestors who fought in the Confederacy and some owned slaves. Take the name away and a great conundrum is opened.
Hemming Park must be renamed. The Isaiah Hart bridge must be renamed. William Pope DuVal was a supporter of slavery. So, the county must be renamed. Jacksonville must be renamed as well as Jacksonville University. Countless streets must be renamed.
What shall the School Board do with all the trophies and awards that dedicated black and white students earned for Lee High? The trophy cases must be emptied. Robert E. Lee High will become just a brick building on South McDuff Avenue.
And strong alumni support will quickly fade into nothing.
The greatness that began on Lee’s birthday on January 19, 1928 when Lee High was dedicated will come to an end. And for what? What will be gained and what will be lost? These questions must be answered.
Dr. Robert Fore
Proud member of Lee’s largest class ever, the Class of 1965
Robert E. Lee was an honorable man. He was a West Point graduate, he was highly regarded by President Abraham Lincoln, who asked him to lead the Northern Army (he declined), and after the Civil War he became an educator at what is now Washington and Lee University, a fine educational institution to this day. Lee lived at a time when the United States was a relatively “new” country and lived in a society when loyalty to your state, your homeland, was still highly valued, unlike our highly mobile society today. I feel that by removing his name from our high school we are demonizing an honorable man and educator who fought to defend his homeland, the State of Virginia.
I don’t believe changing the name of a school is going to be the key to improving someone’s life or society. What will improve someone’s life is focusing resources on giving someone a high-quality education, teaching them life skills and vocational skills to enable them to make a living, teaching people to love one another, teaching people critical thinking skills so that they can realistically assess complex issues and come to conclusions to benefit all members of society, which I know is a continuous process.
I do feel that presently changes need to be made in our society, such as changes to the training of policemen and in some cases the voting process to ensure rights and justice for all citizens regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation. I do not feel putting limited school system funds into changing school names is going to be the answer.
Also, I am an alumna of Lee High School (class of ’66) as are my parents and my brother. The alumni raised thousands of dollars to help support the school after the terrible fire there. I fear this kind of alumni support for the school will be lost in the future if the school is re-named.
Leslie Freeman
Robert E. Lee High School Class of 1966
My name is Kimberly (Farah) Santa Lucia, and I am an alumna of Robert E. Lee High School, class of 1995. I hold many fond memories of my high school years, many of which include attending sport events as a proud General. I am proud to tell you that I held the title of Miss Lee. Proud to tell you that I was captain of the dance team. Proud to tell you I was elected Chaplain of my senior class. I am proud to have been a student at Robert E. Lee.
I am writing today to state that I do not want the name of the school changed. Robert E. Lee is part our history as Americans and for me personally, this great school was a significant part of my life for 4 years.
While I understand there are compelling arguments on both sides, and therefore anticipate that my opinion may not make an impact, I realize the decision may be made to change the name. If that is the case, I feel that Riverside High School would be suitable.
Again, I hope that Robert E. Lee remains the name of the school that I love; however, I will also respect the decision made for the good of the community.
GO GENERALS!
Kim Santa Lucia
Orange Park
My name is Gordon W. Steadman Jr. I am a fifth generation Duval county resident and a graduate of Robert E Lee High School Class of 1978.
History is not there for you to like or dislike. It is there for you to learn from it. And if it offends you, even better. Because then you are less likely to repeat it. It’s not yours to erase. It belongs to all of us!
Many great men and women have walked the halls of Robert E Lee. We deserve better than the school board making a name change. Study General Lee’s life. You then will understand this great honorable gentleman.
Gordon W. Steadman
Robert E. Lee High School Class of 1978
Feeble attempts to sanitize legitimate history in and of itself is racist. What is not understood and acknowledged is minorities, blacks in particular, have an insatiable appetite for reparations. Tearing down and desecrating objects that remind certain demographics of our past does not make the history go away. It merely punctuates and solidifies what we as patriotic Americans already know. And that is they will hate anyone with white skin and especially whites in positions of power. If they are not on a plantation picking cotton, they will be on a plantation accepting government handouts and affirmative action. The change needed has nothing to do with our history. It must come from within the black community. Changing the names of our schools will never make a difference to anyone.
Randy Garmon
Callahan
There are many people who have buildings, schools, etc named after them. Some are good people, and some are not so good. But none are perfect. The history of our country cannot be erased, we are to learn from it and teach our children right from wrong. Lee was a man of honor and integrity but fought for his state during the Civil War. The issues our country are facing has nothing to do with erasing history. Our focus should be on training our police on equality and fairness and parents teaching our children to obey authority. Why waste funds to change history when the schools are asking for more funding to teach our children. A small outspoken group of anarchists want more and more or they will destroy. This looks like Germany in the days of Hitler. They burned books and buildings and were brain washed to follow a cult. Our country was founded on freedom but we have a small group who want to run the country. You can’t please them by giving in to their threats. We need to stand as one so that our country will follow the right path. When we read Proverbs, God tells us to seek wisdom which comes from Him. Don’t try to erase history but learn from it and work to restore peace and fairness for all.
The silent majority will rise up if this lawlessness doesn’t stop and our country will be a place of anarchy and destruction. Too many men and women have spilled their blood and given their life and health to give us freedom. Do not let the outspoken rule our country and remove our freedom.
Charles Thomas Belisario
Ortega
Robert E Lee High School Class of 1959
Do not chanqe the name of Robert E Lee Hiqh School.
Why would I want to tarnish the legacy of America’s sacrifice to go to war with itself to edify and preserve the rights of Black Americans; 620 thousand whites died and 40 thousand blacks died in that war. By giving in to a hatred for American history, founders, and symbols, we are falling into a larger plan with a more dangerous agenda: “Cancel Culture”. Cancel Culture says, “that if a leader has significant character flaws then that leader loses his credibility and his contribution should be canceled”. Let’s be honest – all leaders have terrible laws. Cancel Culture’s goals go far beyond the color of someone’s skin. It promises that “if our citizens will sanitize history then ‘all will be right in the world’. This never works. It keeps erasing elements of a culture and a country until human rights are erased; this is its secret goal.
So, should we cancel the actions and blessings of Doctor Martin Luther King because he had marital affairs? Absolutelynot! King impacted millions for the good. The Apostle Paul, in his former life, murdered numerous Christians. Thank God, Bible scholars did not edit out Paul’s evil past! Paul’s life story demonstrates that mankind, under grace, can change for the better.
When we succumb to the agenda of a hateful few, we are agreeing that be hate each other, we hate our country”. These lies lead us to tragedy. As a Lee high alumni and citizen, I’m troubled for our community. It’s understandable that suffering and resentment is everywhere. But let’s take responsibility for these feelings and or we could lose more than historic names, statues and symbols. America could begin to disappear as we all lose our speech rights because we chose to erase the voices of our imperfect past.
If we cancel the voices and faces of history then we deny our humanity; the freedom to exchange ideas and opinions. Plus, we devalue the power of grace. Grace allows healing to replace hatred. Did we extend grace to Paul the Apostle? To Dr. King? Of course, we did. And why not Robert E Lee? He paid for his punishment with his property being confiscated by the government.
He never attended another Confederate meeting after the Emancipation Proclamation. He continued his life of teaching and said that “sectionalism should be forgotten” and believed that future generations should embrace all Americans. Humanity is imperfect but our founding fathers built a Constitutional framework to recognize the changing needs within our culture. Those protected rights of our humanity belong to you and to me. We can give in to resentment and let Cancel Culture decide who is worthyof hatred or we could give grace a chance. Let’s turn the tide of hatred and resentment withgrace; take the time to heal and persevere. Or we may look back and see we not only lost important names like Robert E. Lee – we lost America and our ownhumanity.Please. Let’s talk to one another and postpone this hasty decision.
Samuel Ronald Phillips
Robert E. Lee High School Class of 1964
In the past few weeks my education about Robert E. Lee has been enhanced by reading this article in The Atlantic:
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/06/the-myth-of-the-kindly-general-lee/529038/
Several short quotes: “Soldiers under Lee‘s command at the Battle of the Crater in 1864 massacred black Union soldiers who tried to surrender.
Lee had beaten or ordered his own slaves to be beaten for the crime of wanting to be free; he fought for the preservation of slavery; his army kidnapped free black people at gunpoint and made them unfree…
Publicly, Lee argued againstthe enfranchisement of black Americans, and raged against Republican efforts to enforce racial equality in the South. Lee told Congress that black people lacked the intellectual capacity of white people and “could not vote intelligently, …”
I am very willing for my high school to be renamed. At the moment I do not have a suggestion for the new name.
Valerie Faith Jefferies (Schulz)
Robert E. Lee High School Class of 1972
For me, this issue boils down to basic human empathy for your fellow human being. Imagine how would you feel if you had no choice but to attend a school named after a “hero” who saw people of color as property, who fought tooth and nail for the right to continue to enslave people because they looked like you.
The Daughters of the Revolution did a fine job of whitewashing history and managed to do what most say can’t be done: Southern History and the Lost Cause was written by the losers. I know this because I was taught at Robert E. Lee Highschool about the “War of Northern Aggression” by one Colonel Sanders.
The Colonel was a particularly fearsome and heinous teacher who was famous for dressing in the Confederate Uniform each year when he taught said unit. He also regularly trolled black students and didn’t even try to hide it when he mumbled the “n” word on a regular basis in what could only be described as a loud stage whisper. This man referenced the KKK in his classroom and openly threatened us with sending his “friends” to our houses.
When my diverse class held a 30th reunion in 2015 – a time when the Confederate flag was coming under pressure and the BLM movement was taking on steam on the backs of dead black men and boys – Men like Freddie Gray, Eric Harris, and boys like Tamir Rice- a group or individual from my class invited Colonel Sanders, a man who I witnessed call my classmates the “n” word, to our reunion and they backed it up by bringing a Confederate Flag cake for the dessert table.
The fact that these classmates of mine felt comfortable disrespecting half of our graduating class of color broke my heart. What message were they trying to send? It wasn’t just class pride, I can tell you that much. Knowing it was such a hot button issue in the news at that moment in time, it felt more like a threat than an attempt to understand another perspective.
When do we start listening to our brothers and sisters and acknowledging the pain we cause with this so called “celebration” of Southern culture? Should we be fostering a culture that thinks it’s okay to treat people this way?
With these two actions I clearly saw that many in my class still believe these men were heroes to be revered and protected. They willfully ignore the stories that came directly from the slaves themselves about the treatment they suffered under Robert E. Lee. They don’t listen when people of color tell them how it makes them feel. My former classmates are likely passing down these revisionist histories to their children and grandchildren and you have to ask – where does the chain get broken?
We need to break the chain. Right here, right now.
If the Duval County School Board cares at all about making kids feel welcomed, celebrated, and safe in the learning environment they can’t continue to name this school after a Confederate “hero” who went so far as to enslave
’ free black men he captured in the North. A man who poured brine on his slaves after beating them. What message does that send? You can still teach that in school if you want to, just don’t honor it in perpetuity with a school name!
Julie Ann Moore
Robert E. Lee High School Class of1985
My name is Jesse Pipkin. I am 80 years old.
I am a graduate of Robert E Lee High School Class of 1958.
I was a member of the high school track team. I was proud to compete wearing my school colors.
Although I subsequently moved to California because of a job, I am all but a native Floridian, attending schools in Miami (K-3), Winter Park (4-10), Jacksonville (11-12) and Gainesville (BSEE): from kindergarten to high school to University.
I didn‘t graduate at the top of my Robert E Lee class but I was fortunate to get actual college-level classes at Lee before that became common.
I am proud to be a Gator, a veteran of the United States Air Force, and a ROBERT E LEE GENERAL!
An imperfect man, Robert E. Lee didn’t want to lead an insurrectionist army, but he was loyal to his state as many were in his time. General Lee was known to be a gentleman and provided for freeing the in-bondaged persons in his will.
Like so many tens of thousands of other graduates, I say to all: I went to Robert E Lee High School.
Please don’t take that away from me. Don’t take that away from us. It is our heritage. We earned it and it is ours.
Jesse Pipkin
Robert E. Lee High School Class of 1958
I graduated from Lee in 1964. It is with deep sadness to read this. Changing the name is throwing away money that alumni fondly give which amounts to approximately $200K/yr. Schools never raise enough money on their own so let’s not waste this.
I’m sure you know a lot of the slavery history but here are a few points to consider in case you don’t.
George Washington had approx. over 300 slaves; Thomas Jefferson 600+; James Madison 100+;
- James Monroe 75. The first slave owner in America was a black tobacco farmer. American Indians owned thousands. Ulysses S. Grant, Zachary Taylor, and Andrew Jackson also had slaves.
This recently started mass hysteria regarding changing history is appeasing to a fraction of the country. Where does it all
end? How much does this cost us as a nation? We have greater needs for this money.
Growing up in Jax was a challenge back in my days . I was shot at and narrowly missed. I had a shotgun poked in my face while trick or treating. I remember certain kids bringing bullets to elementary school. I was the victim of beatings in middle school at John Gorrie. The evening news covered near riots at Gorrie when other schools would come over and want to rumble.
Lastly, my parents had a black woman working at the house a couple of days a week when I was a young child. She became a second mother to me. I didn’t see her black skin, I just knew I loved her. When she died, I was heartbroken at an early age. There is still this kind of love around, we just need to bring this out instead of dwelling on hatred. Please do not change the school names and concentrate on the young children who do not know racial hatred which we teach to them. Please for the love of these innocent children teach love and acceptance of each other not new racial hatred.
Stan Stoudenmire
Robert E. Lee Class of 1964
There seems to be a “movement” against everything “Confederate.” I would like to remind and possibly inform everyone that “Confederate” veterans were deemed to be “UNITED STATES VETERANS” by an Act of Congress.Therefore, using the term “Confederate” is racist and discriminatory and very disrespectful to ALL U.S. Veterans. Anyone remember the Viet Nam Conflict? The Korean Conflict? Remember how badly the returning veterans were treated? It is pretty much the same thing. They fought in unpopular wars, however, they are still United States Veterans. You will find that no “Confederate” military were tried as traitors after the war. Many of the leaders of the “Confederacy” were deemed to be brilliant military men and their tactics are still studied by military academies around the world. Jacksonville is a military town and veterans recognize ALL veterans. Are you willing to disrespect all of them?
It is disgusting and unfair to judge people of any era by the standards of the current time. What will happen in 200 years when we are judged by the coming standards. There seems to be a big deal being made of slavery. Well, hello, slavery has been around in most of the known world for thousands of years and human slavery (trafficking) is STILL a problem in the United States today. So, there is no valid argument there. Irish slaves were the first slaves in what is now the United States. Where is the outrage? The African nations sold their own people into slavery around the world. Where is the outrage? If you go back in the history of what is now the United States, you will find Mr. Anthony Johnson, an African man that would not release his indentured servants. He is the one that started “slavery” in this country. Where is the outrage? Of that’s right, American History is no longer taught in public school.
Has anyone read the Constitution of the Confederacy? It outlines banishing the importation of slaves. Slavery was an institution that was on its way out in the Southern States. The War Between the States began because the “Union” wanted to unfairly tax the “South.” It had nothing to do with slavery until the very end when President Lincoln
needed a new directive in order to get elected. Had President Lincoln not been assassinated, all black people would have been relocated to other countries as Lincoln was of the opinion Africans were sub-human. Black people should be thanking John Wilkes Booth for the prosperity they enjoy today.
My relatives fought and died in this war (buried behind my hay field) and believe me, they were dirt farmers and would not have fought to give rich people the right to “own” slaves. My Great-Great-Great Grandfather fought and lost his right leg to this war. He was a dirt farmer and fought for state’s rights, not slavery. How many of the 600,000 people that died in this war gave a hoot about slavery? Not many. It was another Revolutionary war against unfair taxation. Ring a bell? What about the over 60,000 Africans (some free, some slave) that fought and died in this war? Would they have fought to keep this institution? I think not. Would slave owners have given their slaves weapons if they were treated so badly? I think not. Most slaves were treated fairly as an injured or sick slave is of no use. Does anyone ever hear about this? I think not. It is the same situation as what is going on now with law enforcement agencies. Ten bad cops have made the entire force bad, same with the slave owners, 10 bad ones made the whole system bad.
Desecrating the “Confederate” monuments to the dead and military leaders seems to be all the rage now. Yes, they were put up during what is now called the “Jim Crow” era. Why you ask? That is because of how many years it took to raise the money to honor the dead. Uneducated people seem to forget that the Union forces were instructed to burn, destroy, decimate, loot, rape and kill not only military forces but the civilians as well (women, children, and the elderly). It took decades for the South to recover financially. It took decades of bake sales and such for the remaining mothers, wives, and children to raise the money to construct the monuments. And people wonder why feelings against “the Union” are still so strong in the South.
Here is another reason to not change names. Students and past students will no longer support the individual school. Who came to bat when there was a fire at Lee High School? It was the alumni. Want to know where the Forrest grads spend their money? They support the upkeep of the childhood home of General Forrest (in Tennessee). They support the visitor center for General Forrest (in Tennessee). They support the local Museum of Southern History (in Jacksonville). They support upkeep of the local Old City Cemetery (in Jacksonville). Not a cent goes to the Duval County Public School system.
If you change the name of any school named after a person, you will need to change all of them. Who is going to pay for that? I understand that a tax increase is being proposed for education. Do you really think anyone in Duval County is going to vote for this increase?
What do you want Jacksonville to become known for? History? Racism? Discrimination? Ignorance? I was born and raised in Jacksonville. My father and brother are retired military and my extended family has a long history of military service so I am more sensitive to disrespecting veterans. I vote for history.
Joan Miller Cooper
Nathan Bedford Forrest Senior High School graduate
Thank you for the opportunity to voice my opposition to changing the name of Robert E Lee High School, founded in 1928 in Jacksonville. General Robert E Lee was a valiant and humble soldier. After the victory by the North he did everything in his power to unify what was divided by the Civil War.
We should not want to erase history but rather we should choose to learn from it and move forward. Tearing down statues and renaming schools, parks, cities, etc. will never appease anyone.
Please do not change the name of our school.
Carol Palmer
Proud member of Robert E. Lee Class of 1968
I am a 1964 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School. Recently I learned that the Duval County School Board was considering changing the names of several county schools, including that of Robert E. Lee High School. While I do not question the School Board’s authority to make such changes, I do question the need and advisability of same.
Individual’s names given to schools to a large degree reflect the community values extant at the time of naming and become embedded in the history of that community. While a community’s values may change over time, their history does not, and should not unless they choose to substitute indoctrination for education.
Robert E. Lee High School represents a significant part of my personal history as well as that of my two sisters, both my parents and numerous cousins, aunts, and uncles. Our family has supported the school and contributed financially when called upon (1988). I would hate to see that history diminished for the sake of appearing sensitive to recently reported “wokeness”.
J. K. Germain
Robert E. Lee Class of 1964
As a 1966 graduate of Lee High school, I am writing in support of the name change. Here are my reasons:
- It is embarrassing in 2020 to have to say the name of my high school. Lee was a great general, but he chose to fight on the wrong side. It is wrong to subject those who are oppressed by the legacy of slavery to daily reminders of that history. Why is it so hard to show the simplest act of compassion for those affected?
- Considering alumni financial support: If the name of the building is the reason you donate and not the memories, friendships and education you gained, that is just sad.
- Our history classes “white-washed” the truth about how Jacksonville and Florida, together, participated in the systematic suppression of African American progress.
- There are so many people from Jacksonville who merit the honor of having a great school named after them. Please pick someone, black, white or other race or culture, who has demonstrated both character and courage in their lives. Someone with compassion and accomplishment in the area of education, law and justice or social equality. Someone we can all be proud of.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this issue.
Frances Hanes Engstrom
Robert E. Lee High School Class of 1966
My Vote is against name change.
David Miller
Robert E. Lee High School Class of 1972
I write this email in opposition to the proposed name change of Robert E. Lee High School, Jacksonville, Florida.
This ironic action being considered by the Duval County School Board in concert with the numerous, unlawful frenzied attacks on U.S history — statues, public property and rights – being made throughout these United States of America by corrupt forces, signals a dangerous time for our country and a time when thoughtful heads must prevail.
Does the Duval County School Board propose to be complicit in such actions, instead of exploring the educational opportunities to further develop your constituents, the students and the parents of Duval County schools. Once you lose the name, you lose the memories — good and bad, and dreams become less defined and more difficult to pursue. The community is diminished.
I have previously witnessed the removal, in the dead of night, of the iconic Robert E. Lee statue from Lee Circle on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans Louisiana and can assure you that the schism this created in the community has been palpable.
Better that the resources committed for such actions be directed to teachers and an updated U.S. history curriculum, so that students receive balanced perspectives that help them make more informed choices — what education is supposed to provide.
Wake up Duval County! Wake up America!
L. Carl Crowder
Robert E. Lee High School Class of 1962
My name is Cheryl Carlton, graduate in class of 1964 from Robert E. Lee High School. I speak against the renaming of Lee. There is a long and valued history in this beloved school. The name was ok in 1928 and it was ok when the school burned and it is still ok today.
I purpose that rather than change the name let us change the heart of the school. It will take many resources to make a name change but in the end, what has been gained. Rather let us make Lee the top school of excellence in Florida using those same resources.
This program will better all students giving them the skills they need to succeed in life.
Yes, the easy way is change a name for name sake but very costly. The better way is have each child succeed in life beyond dreams.
Increase test scores, improve reading, math, science, history. Work with each child to reach their full potential. Now that is what success looks like. Not easy but much better for all.
Cheryl Carlton
Robert E. Lee High School Class of 1964
I have the greatest respect for the Northside Coalition, especially our friend former Council woman Glorious Johnson. However, I must protest the name changes of Jacksonville schools. Doing this may be politically correct, but it is in itself racist, unkind, and uncaring to those of us raised in Jacksonville.
I taught etiquette to the schools whose names you propose changing, and others in Jacksonville and elsewhere. I taught at Forrest as well. I judged Mr. and Miss Ribault and Mr. and Miss Andrew Jackson. No one was worried about my color or their own. We simply respected each other, and honestly had great fun while learning about civility and the many uplifting rules of etiquette. I expect Raines and Ribault would be extremely hurt by any suggestion of a name change.
Why then do you have the right to change the names of others?
You are inventing a problem that does not exist, and therefore creating a solution that is unnecessary. Although I graduated from Bartram, my friends and spouse graduated from Lee. We all had marvelous education, and we all have memories much like those graduates of Stanton, Ribault, Jackson, Raines, and others.
Please use your funds to educate our Jacksonville students instead of inventing a problem which does not exist. Train your students to appreciate history, knowing from where we have come, and the great appreciation and respect we all have learned for others. Changing names does not change history. Teaching and appreciating differences make the community appreciate and respect differing backgrounds. I urge you to keep the school names, and to come to the table as delightful diverse children of God.
Diann Smith Catlin
Bartram class of 1968 and friend of Robert E. Lee High
I graduated in 1972, a few years after the Duval County decision to bus Raines or Ribault students to Lee High School in an effort to integrate schools. I was a member of a committee comprised of students both from Lee and Raines or Ribault. The goal of this committee was to work together in an effort to make the transition of our new black students to Lee High smooth and welcoming. This worked well in helping our new students become more involved in high school life and many of us became fast friends. There was no backlash on the name of the school or anything that might have concerned our new black friends. I wonder to this day how many current black students have voiced their desire to have the name of our school changed?
Like it or not, Robert E. Lee and the confederacy are a part of our history, a time I’m not particularly proud of, but like wars that succeeded- it’s history! What about other significant events in history such as the mistreatment of the Chinese workers who built our transcontinental railroad? We aren’t dismantling the railroad tracks or changing the names of railroad terminals etc. that are named after those who tolerated this behavior.
I’ve read that it cost a pretty penny to change the name of Forrest to Westside. Why not invest that money into diversity programs for Lee and all high schools in Duval County? I’m certain this would promote longer lasting impressions upon our students, than changing the name of our school. There is no question that we all can benefit from creating a greater awareness of racial equality.
Cynthia G. Harcrow
Robert E. Lee High School Class of ‘72
When I was in school my family would laugh at naming schools after losing Generals. Now that I am an adult, naming schools after people that were traitors to their oaths to the USA is appalling. Please change the name to someone students should emulate.
Cheryl Young Ziombra
Robert E. Lee High School Class of 1964
I am writing to you today regarding the proposed name changes for Robert E. Lee High School,
J.E.B. Stuart Middle School, Kirby Smith Middle School, Jefferson Davis Middle School, Stonewall Jackson Elementary, and Joseph Finnegan Elementary.
It has been suggested that since these schools were named after Confederate generals and a Confederate president that this has been oppressive to the students who have attended these schools. I disagree. As a student at Lee, I saw Robert E. Lee as a person from history, nothing more. No different from George Washington or Neil Armstrong. His political, social, and religious views had zero impact on my school life. Believe me, there were more pressing matters for me then: the history teacher who threw knives in class, the exchange student who disrespected the American flag, our winning football team, and the fire that disrupted my senior year.
It has been suggested that the school be renamed after someone whose legacy positively impacts people of color. Sounds good, right? But don’t we already have a large number of schools already named after people for that reason. A. Philip Randolph, Darnell-Cookman, and William M. Raines are a few schools that come to mind. In everything there should be balance and this should hold true for school names as well. The names of our schools should reflect the history and diverse population of our city.
In the end, no matter what you decide, you will not please everyone. Once you begin, where will it end? I ask that you vote against changing the name of Robert E. High School, specifically, and
J.E.B. Stuart Middle School, Kirby Smith Middle School, Jefferson Davis Middle School, Stonewall Jackson Elementary, and Joseph Finnegan Elementary, generally. Please vote against the name changes.
Karen Marlett
Robert E. Lee High School Class of 1987
I attended Lee High School, graduating in 1964. My wife of 52 years also graduated from Lee in 1964. I speak in favor of retaining the name of the school. I was privileged to be the editor-in-chief of the school newspaper and spent some time learning about our school’s namesake.
Unlike the other six Confederate figures for whom Duval County school name changes are now being considered, Robert
E. Lee was a career officer in the US Army. He graduated second in his class at West Point and served with distinction for 32 years in the US Army, including service in the Mexican War and as Superintendent of the US Military
Academy. Lee was opposed to secession and in fact was offered a command in the Union Army when secession began. But after Virginia voted to secede he felt he could not take up arms against his home state and resigned his commission.
There is another point worth making. Most if not all of the other six Duval County schools for which name changes are now being considered by this board were opened during the turmoil of integration after the Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, and were reportedly named for Confederate figures as a sign of southern defiance. That can certainly be said for Forrest High School, which opened in 1959 and which was renamed several years ago. That cannot be said, however, about Lee High. Lee opened in 1927 —almost a century ago —and together with Andrew Jackson High is one of the two oldest operating public high schools in Jacksonville. Lee High has produced may distinguished graduates and is financially supported by its alumni. I do not believe that a school bearing the name of an honorable and distinguished person is an embarrassment, even though – out of loyalty to his state – that person chose to fight on the wrong side. I submit that we should not eliminate an important part of our community’s history and heritage just to indulge those who hold a currently popular contrary view. Thank you.
Ed Kelly
Robert E. Lee High School Class of 1964
This effort is a knee jerk reaction to a minority of citizens. What a waste of money when our schools are struggling to find funds to provide a quality education to our young people. I understand there are six schools under consideration for a name change costing over a million dollars. How does a name change improve the quality of education?
The Civil War was not initially about slavery but the usurping of rights of the states by the federal government. At his inauguration, President Lincoln said he had no plans to end slavery in the states where it already existed, but he would not accept secession.
A name change will most assuredly affect alumni support which could cost the schools and service clubs untold dollars. As an example, in 1988 when a fire damaged the school building, the alumni raised $ 95,000 to help with the repair. The allegiance of thousands of Lee High graduates will surely dissipate.
Robert E Lee served 32 years in the US Army after graduating Number 2 in his class at West Point. He was a quintessential soldier, separating politics from his service in the military. He was so well thought of that he was offered the opportunity to lead in the US Military after the secession of the southern states but because of his allegiance to his home state of Virginia (which was very common in those days of but 34 states), and even though he disagreed with Virginia’s decision to secede, he declined and instead fought for his home state not because of any ideology but because of loyalty. This, inspite of his desire that the country remain intact. In a letter to his wife, he wrote “…slavery, as an institution, is a moral & political evil in any country.”
Lee served as Superintendent of the US Military Academy. After the war, He became President of Washington College, later Washington and Lee University. In this position, he supported reconciliation between the North and South.
I treasure my education at Robert E Lee High School (Jacksonville’s second oldest high school) and to remove the name of a great American would be a great disservice to the community and Jacksonville.
Don‘t be intimidated and bullied by a vocal minority to dismantle our heritage and history.
John B. Richardson, Jr.
Robert E. Lee High School Class of 1965
There have long been mined, strong and reasoned feelings on all sides of the school names issue. As usual, none is absolutely correct to the exclusion of the others. For instance:
- The names associated with a variety of painful elements of American history are decidedly and sincerely offensive to many who seek removal of those names from schools. That is abundantly clear. Those feelings should be carefully heard and respected.
- The more one has personal connection to a school, the more objection will generally be given to such change. This includes current students, alumni, parents, employees, neighbors, and others.
- Along with Julia Landon and Andrew Jackson, Lee High School was built in 1927. Over the last 93 years, one could safely assume 50,000 students of all races, creeds, colors, and backgrounds, today and historically, have received good education in that place, and hold a Lee High School diploma. This includes many in my family. The percentage of black and white alumni is likely near the same.
- There is no particular sense of awe, reverence or even much attention paid to Lee the man, any more than there is at other schools for men named Terry Parker, Samuel Wolfson, William Raines, Duncan U. Fletcher, or Jean Ribault. There seems over the years to have been little student unrest about the school’s name. But there is most assuredly a strong sense of pride and identity with attending or having attended “Lee High School.”
- The sky will not fall if the name is removed or stays the same. The far more important focus is the continued delivery of quality education to the great cross-section of young Jacksonville citizens who come to Lee High School to learn, as they have for nearly a century.
- A poll of current students, though not practical now for obvious reasons, would be useful and persuasive. The results of a name-change opinion could be surprising. On the other hand, the results of measuring opinion about not creating more divisiveness in the community than already exists would not be surprising. The students are smart.
Douglas J. Milne
Robert E. Lee Class of 1961
My family has three generations of Robert E. Lee High graduates. My father was in Robert E. Lee’s first graduation class in the early 30’s. Since then my brother graduated from Robert E. Lee in 1963 and me in 1966. We hold Robert E. Lee High School with an affection and undying devotion. This is due to the education we received that propelled each of us to graduate from College, my father and brother from UF and me from JU.
We as Americans cannot rewrite history. nor should we try! Our heritage whether white or black is indelibly written forever. In case you did not know or are under the false premise that the War Between the States was fought over slavery, it was not. The issue was state’s rights.
In your discussions about changing the names of Duval County Schools, have you considered the inherent cost in that misguided exercise? All we hear on the news is that school systems countrywide need more financial assistance. To waste hard-earned tax payer dollars on some ill- considered names changing is not what each of you were elected to do.
Please carefully consider your evaluation of this issue. I shall anxiously await to see if you follow the current ill-advised “mood” in the Country or do what is RIGHT for our collective history.
Donald E. Fouraker
Robert E. Lee High School Class of 1966
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading... 
