However, I can’t help wondering if we are becoming overly focused on symbolism rather than substance in our efforts to redress wrongs. I am especially concerned about the increasing insistence that statues, buildings, streets, or any other edifices identified with the names of historical figures must be renamed because those individuals reflected and perpetuated the discrimination of their eras.
Sir John A. is an obvious target and I can understand that Natives may find any reference to him an upsetting reminder of past injustices.
But my concern is that ferreting out inappropriate names is now becoming a growth industry of sorts. There is a push to rename British Columbia because its current name encapsulates British colonialism and a reminder of Christopher Columbus and his despicable record with respect to Natives (albeit over 500 years ago). There is a Dundas Street in a number of communities, including Toronto (which also has a Dundas Square), but there are now demands that this name be changed because it is that of an 18th century politician who delayed Britain’s abolition of slavery.
Where does this end? Should my home city of Kingston be required to change its name, since “Kings Town” is a reminder of our colonial past? I am sure that there are many folks in Toronto who have travelled Dundas Street and gathered for celebrations in Dundas Square without any awareness of the history behind the name. It is also inevitable that historical names, by definition, will be those of people who reflect the beliefs and attitudes of their time (now recognized as racist and unacceptable). It is a cruel irony that those who dredge up the background on various names, identifying more examples of an unpleasant past, may inadvertently be creating more stress for today’s minorities.
Insisting that names be changed, especially names that were not widely known before, seems to me a poor use of time and energy. Rather than searching through our history to unearth more names about which we can get upset and annoyed, we should be focused on real, substantive changes in the conditions that perpetuate discrimination today.