INMONROE-L Archives

From: Randi Richardson <>
Subject: [INMONROE] Proposed Name Change for the Banneker School
Date: Sun, 03 Nov 2002 12:45:01 -0500

Bloomington (IN) Weekly Courier, Dec 3, 1915, p. 1. NOTE: This item was
abbreviated as noted by the ellipsis.

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE SCHOOL BOARD OF BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA

Bloomington, Ind., Dec 2, 1915

We, the undersigned colored citizens and voters of Bloomington, Indiana,
respectfully petition the School Board of our city to change the name of
the colored school from Banneker School to the Booker T. Washington
School: Rev. M. M. Porter, pastor Second Baptist Church; Rev. R. J. M.
Long, pastor, A. M. E. Church; Fred Burnett; H. V. Eagleson; P. D. Evans;
Anderson Johnson; Lee Johnson; T. D. Alexander; Phillip Drake; Hanchel
Bowman; Sanford Drake; Marshall McAfee; Lawrence Evans; E. Fearman, Jr.;
Milt Hall; John Burden; Ira Chavers; Ira Kamper; Grant Tipes; Herbert
Stringfellow; Mrs. Mattie Fuller; Mrs. P. D. Evans; Rev. William Arnold;
and A. L. Summers.

The following are the reasons for the asking the change of name:

1. Booker T. Washington is better known than is Mr. Banneker...

2. The name of Mr. Washington stands for Vocational Training...

3. ...It was not considered when the school was named because Mr.
Washington was still living...

4. Booker T. Washington is recognized as the greatest Negro of America and
of this generation and the greatest citizen, white or black, born in the
South since the war.

5. Stone men tell us that the change of names can easily be made...

6. A memorial mass meeting will be held in the Second Baptist Church in
the near future. At this meeting a resolution will be presented
petitioning for the change. It is believed that the resolution will be
enthusiastically and unanimously adopted by the large audience...

Respectfully, William Telfer

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