Stop naming buildings (and streets, and parks, and mountains) after people
10 hours ago
- #civic honor
- #historical figures
- #public naming controversies
- The article argues against naming buildings, streets, parks, and other public spaces after individuals, citing the risk of future controversies.
- Recent examples include the renaming of places honoring César Chávez due to allegations of abuse.
- San Francisco's attempt to rename schools in 2021 was criticized for being inconsistent and uninformed.
- Historical figures like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln have problematic aspects that make them unsuitable for modern honors.
- The author suggests naming public institutions after non-human entities like birds, landmarks, or numbers to avoid controversy.
- Philanthropists should not demand naming rights as a condition for donations, as it undermines the public nature of institutions.
- The article also advocates for removing statues of individuals to focus on honoring the public collectively rather than specific figures.