Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Takes Steps to Rename Schools Honoring Racist Figures

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is making a significant move towards rectifying the wrongs of the past by changing the names of three elementary schools named after controversial figures. The decision comes after years of advocacy and pressure from the community to address the problematic associations with these names.

James Monroe Elementary School, named after the fifth president of the United States who owned over 200 enslaved Africans, will be among the schools to undergo a name change. Similarly, Melville Fuller Elementary, named after a Supreme Court Justice who upheld segregation in the infamous Plessy vs. Ferguson case, will also be renamed. Additionally, Christopher Columbus Elementary School, honoring the controversial figure falsely credited with “discovering” the Americas, will have its name changed as well.

This initiative by CPS is part of a larger effort to address the racial disparities in school names, as highlighted by a recent investigation that found a disproportionate number of schools named after white individuals compared to African Americans, Latinos, and Indigenous people. With over 82 percent of students in CPS being Black or Latino, the need for more inclusive and representative school names is crucial.

Moving forward, CPS has implemented a new process for schools seeking to change their names, which includes submitting a request to the district, considering students’ opinions, sharing a plan, and voting on a new name. This proactive approach signifies a step in the right direction towards creating a more inclusive and equitable educational environment for all students in Chicago.