Manhattan has been called Manna-hata, New Amsterdam, New York, New Orange, and Manhattan. Name changes are no big deal over time. And it is banal that name changes happen when societies experience demographic change. https://twitter.com/nachristakis/status/1276918871929368582

Our beautiful volcano’s name was changed from Mother-of-the-Waters (Mount Tahoma). George Vancouver re-named it, and then the US Board of Geographic Names agreed (in 1890) to honor the explorer’s friend, British Rear Admiral Peter Rainier—who never even set foot on its slopes.

America’s highest mountain had been called Bolshaya Gora (Russian “Big Mountain”), Densmore's Mountain, and then Mount McKinley.

President Wilson signed the park act in 1917 changing the name to honor the 25th president. Barack Obama changed it back to Denali 98 years later.

It’s okay to revive old, beautiful names for mountains. It’s good to rename schools. It’s fine to remove racist emblems from flags and public squares. Our society will be a better place when we make amends for mistakes of the past. Our nation needs healing.

Tear down these racist idols and rid yourselves of the stench of oppression. This great evil has gone on for much too long!

“Hate evil, love good;
maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the Lord God Almighty will have mercy...”