4/27/2018

Principal Yusuf Abdullah  April 15, 2018

Superintendent Ed Graff

 

I’m writing to you about my concern for the possible name change of my alma mater Patrick Henry High School. I graduated from Patrick Henry High School in 1963. At that time, we didn’t have school choice, attendance there was determined by residence in the neighborhood. Many of my classmates have known one another since Kindergarten through high school and beyond. There’s a sense of family and camaraderie that has developed over the years. We continue to remain in touch with one another even after 55 years, although some have retired to various places around the country we still retain our ties to PHHS and one another. Our sense of school pride goes deep and that is why so many Patriots continue to support the Patrick Henry Foundation which has provided funding for PHHS students since 1999. It’s been almost 20 years that the Foundation has followed their mission to provide resources to bridge the divide between school administration funds and operational needs at PHHS. Many of us have participated in fund raisers and contributed to scholarships and other requests from staff for students. In the last two years alone, the Foundation has honored staff requests of $22,511.00 and given $18,750.00 in scholarships for a total of $41,261.00. The attachment in this e-mail is a record from the PHHS Foundation showing where the money has been given in the past 2 years. 

The number of people continuing to support the PHHS Foundation mostly attended Henry from the 1940’s through the 1980’s. Those who contribute to the Foundation do so because they have ties to Patrick Henry and the surrounding community. Now that students who attend Henry don’t always live in the neighborhood, the numbers for support have been declining although new membership is encouraged. If the school name is changed, contributors may choose not to support a building if it no longer retains a name that they have so much pride in. I hope that those who are considering a name change realize what a huge impact that could have on the future of the PHHS Foundation in fulfilling its mission.

I understand that the reason for the suggested name change is based on the fact that Patrick Henry was a slave owner. Knowing that, I can understand that his name was offensive to many current students especially those of African descent. It’s just not right to treat people like they are property. When I first heard this, I was not fully aware of that fact, and I empathized with their feelings of disgust. I would not want my school to be named after someone whose only reputation was that of a slave owner. In order to find clarity, I felt I needed to learn more about the man, Patrick Henry. I wanted to know why he was a slave owner, how he treated his slaves, what was his reputation, what had he contributed to society and why his name was chosen to honor our high school. What I learned from my reading did not categorize him mainly as a slave owner, in fact it was just the opposite. It was true that he was a slave owner, however it was also true that he lived at a time when owning slaves was an acceptable practice and owning an estate such as Henry’s meant that he needed to have slaves to help with the farm work. He did not buy his first 6 slaves, he received them as a wedding gift along with 300 acres of land from his wife’s father. I know some slave owners were very brutal to their slaves, and that is definitely unacceptable, but how many slave owners would work side by side with their slaves to clear fresh fields or teach their slaves to read? Patrick Henry did both of these things, which tells me he must have treated his slaves with dignity and respect. I admit I was disappointed that he continued to purchase slaves throughout his lifetime, however, he did believe that slavery was wrong, and hoped for its abolishment. Perhaps the slaves on his farm had a better life under his ownership than they would have had otherwise, it’s difficult to know. I do know that Henry and others sought to end the importation of slaves to Virginia and also succeeded in doing just that in 1778. 

Described as an attorney, a planter, and an orator, he was elected Governor of the state of Virginia, serving 2 terms. He served on the committee that drafted the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the original Virginia Constitution. Patrick Henry was an enthusiastic promoter of the fight for independence, and he was revered as a great Orator. He is particularly well known for his declaration to the Virginia Convention (1775) where he stated, “Give me liberty or give me death,” solidifying the cause of the American Revolution. It takes a person of great character to feel so strongly that they are willing to give their life to a cause. He was a great American Orator not because of heroism or eloquence but because he had the ability to adapt clashing philosophies, both religious and political, creating a new style of oratory that appealed to the masses. His masterful ability to persuade encouraged others to fight for the Revolution making the Revolution a more widely popular movement which helped America gain independence from Great Britain. Even Thomas Jefferson gave Henry credit for setting the ball of the revolution in motion. 

In order to qualify as a “Founding Father,” a person must have either helped to found or establish the United States of America, or helped to frame the US Constitution, or be a key American figure in the Revolutionary War. Patrick Henry’s involvement in all of these areas was the reason why he is considered to be one of the key “founding fathers” of America. He was part of the first generation of American political leaders. Described as having a fractious yet exemplary life, he stood against his fellow founders James Madison and Thomas Jefferson and steadfastly opposed the Constitution. He was the boldest of patriots. However, if he had not been involved in opposing the adoption of our Constitution and challenged some of the ideas, we might not have the Constitution as it is written today.

In my reading I also learned that he believed it’s not enough to save your own soul, but one should help to save society, therefore as an orator he fought for religious liberty throughout his career. His earnest wish was that Christian charity, forbearance and love would unite all different persons as brethren. Perhaps this is why we all have the freedom to worship as we choose and not be bound to a state religion. He even criticized his state of Virginia, feeling that slavery and lack of religious tolerance had retarded its development.

It’s impossible to find perfection in any one person but there were many characteristics that Patrick Henry emulated that can be admired. As students in an American education system we can be proud of what he stood for and also the fact that he valued education. His father home schooled him and he in turn taught his slaves to read, he even became a lawyer through self-study and his examiners were very impressed by his mind which he used to further the future of our country at a time when it was critical to have good leadership. He even helped found Hamden-Sydney College to promote useful knowledge amongst its citizens.

Another talent he had was the ability to play a musical instrument, he learned to play the fiddle when he was a businessman. This is a skill we continue to value in our school bands and school orchestra’s and also in society today.

 

As you can see he had many admirable qualities that should certainly be valued by an educational institution such as a High School. I don’t necessarily believe in all the things he stood for but at the same time he should be recognized for the part he played in constructing our American history. It should be noted that tributes on his death were many. In my opinion, his attributes far outweigh the fact that he was a slaveowner. I feel more strongly now than I did before my reading, that Patrick Henry emulates qualities that we’d like to develop in today’s students. 

Hopefully students today, like Patrick Henry, will value education, be hard workers, active in their community, and perhaps become leaders, hold public office, and be true Patriots, willing to stand up and speak out for what they believe in. It is good to see that the group promoting the name change is becoming a voice just as Patrick Henry was. (Another good reason to keep the name Patrick Henry!) Can the students proposing a name change say that they too have been involved on committees at PH supporting the school and its student activities, and that they will pledge to continue to be involved and contribute in the future of PH community and its students even after graduation?

My reasons for opposing a name change:

1) There are more good reasons to keep the name Patrick Henry than there are bad ones to change it.

2) I understand that it will be very costly to change the name and that the school district is already facing budget cuts. Therefore, I question if this is a good use of funding or if there’s a better place to use the money? Where will $ come from to support a name change?

3) Possible loss of funding from the PH Foundation, the one organization that has continuously supported Henry by providing funding for scholarships and supplies for its students.

4) I found no evidence that Patrick Henry treated his slaves poorly, instead there was evidence that he taught his slaves to read, that he worked side by side in the field with his slaves helping to clear his land. He also denounced slavery, and he believed that slavery was wrong, then using his talent as an orator he fought to stop the importation of slaves and won.

5) Patrick Henry was a man of good character and his accomplishments were many.  He valued education, founded a College, was a self-taught lawyer, a great Orator, a Patriot, a musician, a political leader in both state and local government serving as Governor of Virginia, and he is a key Founding Father of America.

Possible Solutions

1) I’m not aware of any proposals for an appropriate name that would be fitting of our High School. Maybe just using the name “Henry” could be a compromise?

2) There needs to be a balanced approach in the process of deciding. Perhaps arguments for and against a name change could be advertised and rationale could be shared. Then it could be put to a vote making sure there is broad involvement not only in the school, but also in the community and with the PHHS Foundation and alumni as well. Then hopefully a feeling of compromise can be felt.

3) I feel it’s very important that those advocating a name change be given a balance of information in order to make a fair decision. I would like to better understand the students position and hear more facts, other than that Henry was a slave owner, and explain how a name change would be a positive change? I’d also like to know if students fully understand all the possible consequences of their action, such as the possible loss of the PHHS Foundation financial support and cost involved? Before a final decision is made I trust you will share this letter, and other letters you have received, with the site council and others involved in the decision-making process. 

I hope that you can find a way to address concerns and find resolution so that those for and those against a name change will not feel alienated. It’s important that your decision unite the Henry Community and not divide it. I think we would all appreciate knowing the rationale that will be used to make a final decision. Hopefully this experience of defending Patrick Henry’s name and character will have a positive effect and people won’t hold grudges. We need to keep the pride for our shared school alive. Thank you for listening! I await your personal response.

Sincerely, 

Sheri (Christopherson) Sawyer

14300 West Bell Road

Surprise, AZ 85374

 

Superintendent Graff,

I am a proud 1963 graduate of Patrick Henry High School and contributor to the PHHS Foundation. I was very surprised when I heard that there was a small group of students and a couple of teachers that thought it would be a good idea to change the name of the high school to ??????  Did the students have a secret ballot vote or, was it simply a hand raising vote, which are rarely accurate? Was this something that you approved? What is your role in this process? Were the name change proponents just acting on their own or were some outside groups involved? Where is the site council in this process? I would like to see the site council minutes that led up to this decision. These questions need to be answered to the many alumni who would like a chance to be heard. I know there were a couple of meetings held where the public was invited, however equal time to speak was not given to both sides. So, I’m questioning the process that is being followed. It does not appear to be very transparent, or to be following due process.

From what I understand, the main reason for changing the school name is because Patrick Henry was a slave owner. This was a very common practice hundreds of years ago. Fortunately, this is no longer true. When one looks at the many good qualities that Patrick Henry possessed they far outweigh the fact that he was a slave owner. He was also, to his credit, active in the community. He opposed slavery in America and helped to stop the importation of slaves and also served as Governor, statesman, orator, and a founding father of our country. 

I understand that Henry must cut 1.9 million for the next school year, so I am wondering how you intend to pay for all of the costs that go into making a name change? Even if you find funding wouldn’t the monies be better spent on the needs of the students similar to what the PHHS Foundation does with their funds? I am well aware that the foundation has contributed over $20,000.00 each year to cover various needs for both students and teachers. I also know that this will NOT be happening due to current by-laws that state if a name change is implemented the PHHS Foundation will cease to exist. Are all parties aware of this?

 

I believe this can be avoided by coming to a compromise and finding a solution that both sides could live with. Maybe just using the name ‘Henry’ could work? This is what my diploma says. Patrick Henry is not mentioned. 

There is a lot of support from the alumni that goes back many years, especially from the 40’s, thru the 80’s. We all have a vested interest in Henry and are willing and able to continue that support in dollars. As racial diversity has increased over the years so has financial support from the Henry Foundation increased. We do need to be involved in this process. Again, transparency is needed. I do not believe that due process has been followed as of this date. I don’t believe a rush into any decision is necessary at this time. A better path would be to give all parties concerned a fair and equal venue to express their views.

I hope students and alumni, both present and future, can come to an acceptable solution after all parties have an equal chance to be heard.

Anxiously waiting your response,

Thomas Sawyer

14300 W Bell Road #146

Surprise, AZ 85374

 

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4/15/2018

Dear Sandy and Jill:

 

We give each and every correspondence that we receive from you, whether it be written or verbal, with the utmost consideration.  I want to thank each and every one of the alumni who took the time to share their concerns about a proposed name change to your school, a school that you obviously take great pride in. 

 

For the record, I consider myself an objective resource in this process.  Eventually, I will take a recommendation from our Site Council regarding their vote on whether to change a name to the Board of Education, but until then I gather as much information as I can for and against a name change, and act as a resource to share information about the District’s policy on the name change process.

 

I have documented each of your email concerns.  Many of them are also the concerns or encouragement regarding a name change that I have heard expressed in conversations and phone calls with me, as well as those communicated in two community forums provided to express those concerns.

 

I have also enclosed The District’s Policy Regarding Changing Names (Regulation 7960 C).  Please feel free to contact me again if you should have any questions.  I greatly appreciate hearing from you by email and seem to be able to respond more quickly in that fashion.

 

Again, thank you always for the passion and consideration that you have brought to this discussion.

 

Sincerely,

 

(Have tried to dowload and share the name change policy but am unable to...sorry)

 

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4/15/2018

This announcement is currently inactive.

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Principal Yusuf Abdullah and Superintendent Ed Graff, I am writing to voice my opinion against changing Patrick Henry High School’s name.  Here is my opinion. Patrick Henry was a “patriot”. He was one of many outstanding leaders who help found our country. Yes, he was a slave holder, but so were many of our leaders and founding fathers. That was the culture of the day. It is not the culture of today and I am personally against slavery.  I believe the Patrick Henry students who want to change the school name because Patrick Henry was a slave holder are misguided and flat out wrong about this issue. Martin Luther King was alleged to be in adulterous relationships, should we abolish his day because of this? Are we going to defame George Washington and other founding fathers because they also were slave holders? I think not. History and days of previous times, are just that, part of our history and to be learned from, not wiped away like it never happened.  Our nation, culture, politics are divided enough. We do not need another divisive issue. I do not know exact numbers, but I will speculate there are hundreds, thousands of Patrick Henry graduates and people in North Minneapolis who oppose this name change. If the students are looking to further divisiveness on the northside, this name change will do it. I would speculate that if you put this issue up for a vote by graduates and Northsiders, it would lose by a wide margin.  Thank you for reading my objection. Please share it with your students. I will await your response.  Dick Gozola 1963 Graduate of Patrick Henry Proud to be a Northsider

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POSTED   4/10/2018

Mr. yusuf.abdullah

I am against the name change of my al matter Patrick Henry High school. I and many other alumni are against this name change. The reasons we have been given are he was a slave trader as were many others during our history.  The teacher who gave the following reasons are completely false.

Henry was never a segrated school & would like to know where this person ever got that info. My wife’s Mother & several aunts & uncles went there in the 20’s & 30” & it was not segregated even back then. An in our class of 1963 the minorities were good friends of ours & were treated equally with the Caucasians. We all had good friends who were minorities. Also, who is going to pay for the expenses to make this name change which is estimated to be between $30,000- $40,000?

Please stop this movement ASAP and that will be appreciated by all the Patrick Henry Alumni’s.

Thank you, Douglas Lindberg

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POSTED  4/10/2018

 

Superintendent Graff and Principal Abdullah

I am a proud 1963 graduate of Henry High School!  I am writing to you to oppose changing the name of our school because Patrick Henry was a slave owner.  Many students particularly those of African heritage and decent find the name is offensive.  I support their motivation and desire to denounce slavery and what it did to so many lives then and the impact it continues to have on many today.  Slavery was a terrible part of our history and should not be swept under the rug nor denied.  Instead lets learn from that history and strive to have a free and open society that reflects the idea of liberty and justice for all.  Patrick Henry and other founding fathers were not perfect men but they created a country unique on the earth based on the concept that all people are created equal. 

During one of our class reunions members of the Henry High 1963 class were given a tour of the school and heard first hand of the schools national ranking and superb student academic and athletic progress against tough economic and social challenges.  The Patrick Henry High School Foundation was created in 1999 with goal to ensure all Patrick Henry High School students engage their potential to reach their dreams.  The board of the Foundation is made up of Henry graduates from many decades committed to sustain the excellence administrators, teachers and students have created.   The Foundation provides scholarships and gap funding for school projects and priorities.  Many graduates have contributed to this important work and support the school even as we live far away today.

So, lets keep the name Henry High to celebrate the decades of students, teachers and administrators who have worked so hard for excellence then and now.  Instead I encourage a full throated, regular discussion and understanding of Patrick Henry’s place in our history both the good and the bad. Not to deny history but rather to understand it, learn from it and commit to a racially diverse society that is the true strength of this country.

I appreciate you taking the time to read this email and look forward to your reply

Regards,

Gary Foss

Henry High School class of 1963

85 Chauncey Circle

Asheville, NC 28803

Gary@gfossconsulting.com

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POSTED   4/8/2018

 

Dear Mr. Graff and Mr. Abdullah,

I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed name change for Patrick Henry High School.

Though I write this solely on behalf of myself, because I remain active and well-connected with hundreds of Henry alumni who span several decades, I am confident that the sentiments I express here are shared far more broadly among Henry graduates.  I am certain of it.  They will be angry and heartbroken if this happens. 

Growing up in the Henry community was special.   Far from affluent, the Henry neighborhood was a composite of mostly working class families who took great pride in our school, in the education we received there from a staff of exceptional teachers, in our teams, music, and other programs, and in a culture of mutual respect and affection we developed for our classmates.  We appreciated our school, and how it shaped us to be better human beings.  And to be able to say, “We’re from Henry” really meant something. 

Over the years, substantial numbers of Henry graduates have remained steadfastly loyal to the school, and have demonstrated our gratitude in many ways, including hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions for scholarships and Henry programs through the Foundation.  The demographics of the school have changed, but the caring support of alumni has not.  If the name is changed, I fear that support will stop, because the spirit with which that support is given will die with the name change.   I am certain of it.  

I attended one of the recent events at Henry at which the students who are advocating the name change presented their case.  The event was promoted as an exchange of information, but it was hardly that.  The one opportunity that seem to come the closest to that open exchange came toward the end when we were engaged in separate table discussions.

There were four students at my table; great, classy, polite kids, who did their best to express their point of view.  I was the last to speak at my table, and I shared with them the history of support from the alumni, the decades of love and pride in the Henry community and Henry name, and the reasons the legacy alumni found the name change movement disturbing.  

Then I challenged them.  I asked them if they succeeded in getting the name changed if they could make a commitment to (1) stay connected with the school for the next 50+ years as many of us have, (2) stay involved in work and efforts to help the school, and (3) if they will continue to support the school financially long after they’ve graduated.  I asked them, “can you make me that promise right now, and can you make it to yourself?”  They all looked at me with blank stares.  They absolutely had no response.   My impression was they haven’t thought past getting this to happen.  I found that troubling.  It made me wonder who is really leading this effort. 

To their credit, they all rose and came around the table to shake my hand.  Good kids, who I hope will ultimately be proud to say they are Henry grads. 

I’d like to offer a suggestion, again speaking for myself, not for the alumni at large.  If the name must change, please consider dropping “Patrick,” and simply renaming the school “Henry High School.”  While it’s not my preference, I could accept that.  I believe the majority of the legacy alumni could too, while I don’t presume to speak for them.   It’s how we most frequently referred to our school and still do.

The change out from “Patrick Henry” to simply “Henry” could be completed on a reasonable timeline to both minimize and spread out any associated costs.  Having read the March 27^th Star-Tribune article on the budget challenges facing the Minneapolis Public Schools, no doubt the site council and school board must be factoring the costs associated with a name change into the evaluation.

Thank you for reading and considering my thoughts.  Please do me the courtesy of a reply.  I’m particularly interested in your thoughts about shortening the name to Henry High School as a potential resolution to the debate.   I look forward to your response.

Sincerely tendered for your thoughtful consideration,

Dave Mrocek

Henry Class of ‘63

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POSTED  4/6/20189

 

Superintendent Graff  and Principal Abdullah,

The word is out about the proposal to change the name of Patrick Henry High School. 

My wife and I are both graduates of the class of 1963. And very simply we ask that you do not change the name of the school. We enjoyed your years there and look back fondly of them.  We would hate to think that the school is no longer there.

Henry has had an exemplary reputation for decades in the Minneapolis area and has been noted as one of the top schools in the country by Newsweek and US News and World Reports magazines.  A standard that is to be commended.

The faculty,staff and students of Patrick Henry have worked hard to build that recognition and it would be shame for the city if all of that was lost because Patrick Henry High School no longer exists and no one knew the new name.

Following the reason for the proposal is because Mr. Henry  was a slave owner, should we not then disavow the existence of others  of that era   i.e. Mr. Washington, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Hancock? And therefor change the name of our nations capitol, tear down the Jefferson and Washington memorials.  Most of the notable men of that time had slaves and we now understand how terribly wrong that was.  It should have never happened.  But we cannot deny our history.  Patrick Henry was one of our founding fathers who helped give birth to this country.

In addition to the emotional reasons, I would imagine that changing the name means liquidating any thing with his name on it.  That can not come at a bargain price.    At a time when schools are suffering huge budgets cuts and are not able to provide certain classes, swelling  classrooms and under paid educators it appears a bit frivolous.   Could that money not be put to better use?

I have taken more of your time than I intended but request you respond to this e mail...please,        PHHS1963@q.com

Respectifully,

James Lange (class of 1963)

Gayle Piela Lange  (class of 1963

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POSTED  4/6/2018

 

From: Debra Nevison <djn1963@comcast.net>
To: yusuf.abdullah@mpls.k12.mn.us, mpssup@mpls.k12.mn.us
Date: April 4, 2018 at 5:03 PM
Subject: School Name Change

I really don't understand why people feel the name of Patrick Henry High School needs to be changed.  There were many, many people that owned slaves back in those days.  It was the way of life at that time and a part of history.  Was it right?  Of course not and that's why things changed. But to change the name of my school wouldn't change the past.  It would be  exceedingly expensive and I don't think that it would be worth it.  So many things would have to be changed.  To name a few, the floor of the gymnasium, all the teams uniforms, all letterhead, etc. would make it so unreasonably costly.  As a compromise, just drop the "Patrick" and use the name "Henry High School".  This needs to be put to a vote and all former students and staff, as vested members of the Henry community, should be given an equal vote. This could be conducted through the internet on the school's website and eligible voters could be checked through school records.  There are many famous people who owned slaves whose names are now used in many instances.  Do we need to change the name of our country's capital?  I'm sure George Washington probably owned slaves.  There are many libraries throughout the country named after other presidents who most likely owned slaves.  Slavery was a part of our history and changing the name of my school is not going to change history.

Please respond to my email at djn1963@comcast.net.  I would like to continue to be involved in this discussion.

Debra (Berndt) Nevison

Class of 1963 and proud of it!

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POSTED 4/5/2018

Teresa Kuehn Fligge

Class of 1963

I find it disturbing that the name of Patrick Henry High School would be changed .  While I do understand the sentiment behind it I feel it is misplaced.  There are several reasons:  Most men of Patrick Henry's time who had any means at all probably had a slave at some point.

I think it is more important to realize that most of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence knew that at some point the issue of slavery would have to be addressed.  For his place in time, I think it's very important to understand the stand he took and the sacrifices he and others took to create the democracy we now have.

Where does it end?  Do we need to change the names  of Washington State and Washington DC?  Do we really need to spend a large sum of money that could go toward something more current and worthwhile?  It's as if we can wipe out our past and forget just how wonderful all the patriots were. I do have enormous respect for teens today that are getting involved in all kinds of issues.  I marvel at their enthusiasm and input and knowledge that they have.  I am proud of them for getting involved.  It does not mean they are always right or have the best solution or be granted all the changes they think they need.  

When I graduated my diploma said I was a graduate of Henry High School.  Seems that would be a good compromise.   

Thank you,

Terry Kuehn Fligge 

 

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POSTED 4/5/2018

 

To: Superintendent Ed Graff

Principal Yusuf Abdullah

RE: Henry High School Name Change

 

As a graduate of the Patrick Henry Class of 1963 and Macalester College Class of 1967, I am writing to express my deep concern for the current movement to change the name of my high school. Having heard from others, I am confident that many others would agree.

A rather small but vocal group could be commended for questioning slavery and for realizing its damaging effects; it is part of America’s history. It changed our country. Wars also have damaging effects; they, too, are part of America’s history. They, too, changed our country. For many years as a high school English teacher, I taught The Adventures of Huck Finn. An offensive book? It could be . . . unless a teacher explains to the students that the use of the N-word was acceptable, as was slavery, at the time that Mark Twain wrote what is considered by many to be the perfect novel. So, I question the motives, the qualifications, and the foresight of those adults who are encouraging the vocal students. Are these adults banning websites, books, etc. rather than realistically discussing in the classroom our country’s history? Hopefully, they are working with the students to compromise and try to reach solutions that will not fracture the strong history of a Minneapolis public school. Surely, they understand the impact that a name change would bring to the thousands of students who have held Henry High School in their hearts, and, subsequently, have financially helped the school through the Henry Foundation.

A valid question is this: Can the school really afford to increase its debt because of the obvious logistics that the name change would involve simply to accommodate the uproar of a few students? I would rather see the money used for student achievement . . . is that not the main job of school personnel? It should be, according to my husband, a retired principal and school superintendent.

A response to this letter would be greatly appreciated. Furthermore, if the noisy students override adults, will a name change be decided by administration without ever giving me and other Patrick Henry graduates from across the country a chance to democratically vote? After all, that, too, is part of history. That, too, changed our country.

 

Sandra Kaari Chillstrom

9467 Camino Venado

Helotes, Texas 78023

chillstrom@sbcglobal.net

 

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POSTED   4/4/2018

 

To: Principal Yusuf Abdullah and Superintendent Ed Graff,

I am writing to you as a member of Henry’s Class of 1963 and as a member of the school’s Hall of Fame. I speak for myself, yet I know my message carries the sentiments of many former students, faculty, staff and community supporters.

I am aware there is a movement among some current students and staff to change the name of the school on the grounds Patrick Henry was a slave owner and thus the namesake is offensive to many current students of African descent. I understand their motivation, and it is more than admirable that students, regardless of race, should denounce the notion of slavery. So, I applaud them for their activism, energy and idealism, but I also feel the name change movement may be misguided with the potential to do more harm than good.

Slavery was a shameful part of our nation’s imperfect past, leaving scars that remain today. Yet, scars acquired as our nation struggles to evolve are good things. They serve to remind us that rights to Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness, as well as the concept of liberty and justice for all, are national ideals we are still striving to implement, and the costs of our ongoing struggle to reach them have been and will be great. Many Founding Fathers were flawed and imperfect men. Yet, they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor, and they worked tirelessly for years at great personal cost and sacrifice to create a country that continues to be one of the greatest social experiments in the history of civilization.

I am not writing to defend Patrick Henry. That said, it is unlikely the students, faculty and outside organizers seeking the name change have done a thorough, scholarly examination of Patrick Henry’s life, his contributions to independence, state and local government, his position on the abolition of slavery, and his treatment of his slaves. Nor is it likely they have a deep, comprehensive understanding of the history of our nation, of slavery in North American and of the complex revolutionary and post-war independence era in which Henry lived, all necessary to put things in context before passing judgement. Rather, I am writing to ask you to remind the students that rarely are things simple. Life is complicated, the on-going process of developing a truly fair and just nation is complicated, and the students’ proposed name change is complicated, too.

For decades the school was known as Henry High. My diploma was issued from Henry High School, our mascot was a cartoon character we called L’il Henry. We were proud to be “Patriots” because most students at Henry could easily identify with the fighting spirit of an underdog colonial seeking independence and opportunity. We developed lifelong friendships and received encouragement in the halls of Henry. That is why former students, faculty and staff continue to support our school in a variety of ways, hoping to pass on to current students a similar rich experience that will help them prepare for adulthood.

It is my understanding Henry High School was rebranded as part of an effort to give a declining school a rebirth. The school became known at Patrick Henry High and it adopted a new logo as part of an image change. Patrick Henry High experienced many successes - a strong IB program, awarded robotics and math teams, state basketball championships, national ranking. This progress was made through the efforts and contributions of a broad and diverse set of stakeholders committed to the success of students, and in part by the legacy and loyalty of those connected to the school throughout the years.

Perhaps the students and adult forces advocating for a radical name change are not fully aware of the consequences of their action. Many former students have strong feelings about the school at which they spent their formative years. They continue to support it directly or through the PHHS Foundation. Should a name change come about, longtime supporters may no longer be interested in helping a student body that rejects the identity we have in common and does away with the school traditions that bind us together. Some feel the school is being hijacked by a few interested only in exerting power by making it “their” school and by disconnecting the school from the thousands of students and staff who will always be Henryites. Others deeply resent the inference of those demanding the name change that anyone who is against it is racist and pro-slavery. It is deeply disturbing that adult staff advisors to the students and/or outside agitators spearheading the movement would allow such a tactic to be used, because it is fundamentally wrong. In addition, a win-lose approach is bound to be destructive. Perhaps the students are not fully aware that if they achieve their “feel good” moment of instituting a name change, it will come at the cost of deeply wounding and alienating many, many people in their community of support - the people who are trying to help them. Their legacy will be a community divided and a school with less resources and support for future students.

The school is facing a $1.9 million budget cut and you certainly know the expense of a radical name change will be substantial. Even if the money for a name change could be found, would it not be better spent in the classroom to the benefit of the students’ learning experience?

I hope a name change will not be rushed through for approval to appease the noisy without further deliberation, and that a thorough examination is made to determine to what extent the students are being manipulated for the agenda of outsiders. While acknowledging and respecting the valid concerns of the activist students, perhaps a process can be implemented that allows more time to examine all the ramifications of a name change, that offers students a balance of information, that puts forth ideas for addressing student concerns, and that leads to a compromise solution that will unite rather than divide the Henry community.

If this is not possible, in the spirit of democracy and as a living civics lesson, this issue should be put to an internet vote with all former students and staff, as vested members of the Henry community, having an equal voice and an equal vote in the matter.

The greater Henry community is unique because of its unparalleled diversity. We are from every race, color, creed, ethnic background, age group, gender, economic status and sexual orientation. We share a love for the school and a desire for all current students to achieve their best. Let us be particularly careful not to damage all the good it has taken years to develop. Let us all work toward compromise and unity so that the school will forever remain collectively “ours” and generations of students from all backgrounds can remain bound together because “We’re from Henry”.

I await your response.

Sincerely, 

Barbara Welke Lambesis

3303 East Oregon Avenue

Phoenix, AZ 85018

blambesis@cox.net

 

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