National Review
Mayor of San Francisco criticizes renaming schools while students continue distance learning
The mayor of San Francisco, London Breed, criticized the decision of the city school council to change the names of schools named after historical figures who “oppressed” people, while the council did not formulate a face-to-face learning plan. Public school students in San Francisco have been learning remotely since the coronavirus pandemic forced a national shutdown in March 2020. It is unclear when students will be able to return to school, although students from other cities like New York have been able to participate in learning presential. However, the school council managed to pass a resolution on Tuesday night to change the names of schools named after 44 historical figures who “were involved in the subjugation and enslavement of human beings; or that oppressed women, inhibiting the progress of society; or whose actions led to genocide. ”These figures include George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Senator Dianne Feinstein (D., California), among others. Washington, the first US president, owned slaves, while Lincoln, who ended slavery, was included because of his policies towards Native Americans. Feinstein was included because of an allegation that she ordered the replacement of a Confederate flag outside City Hall during his tenure as Mayor of San Francisco in 1984, although it is unclear whether the claim is true and Feinstein eventually removed the flag. “This is an important conversation to have and that we must involve our communities, our families and our students,” said Mayor Breed in a statement on Wednesday. “What I can’t understand is why the School Board is moving forward with a plan to rename all of these schools by April, when there is no plan to have our kids back in class by then.” Breed added: “Our families are frustrated by the lack of a plan, and are especially frustrated by the fact that the discussion of these plans was not even on the agenda at the School Council meeting last night.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that schools reopen with coronavirus mitigation measures; in July 2020, the then head of the CDC, Robert Redfield, warned of the adverse effects of school closures. Public schools in and around Las Vegas are trying to reopen as much as possible after a series of student suicides that have occurred since the school system closed.