Community must vote on keeping Drake High name

After much research regarding Sir Francis Drake’s ties to the slave trade and what seemed to be an abundance of misinformation, almost all of our Ross Valley communities decided not to change the name of Drake Boulevard. Kudos to those elected officials.

The Tamalpais Union High School District has finally put the brakes on the tear down and renaming of Drake High School. It’s about time. This was also led by a very small group acting against the wishes of the community. Now, during this time of re-evaluation, I believe the historic name of the 70-year-old school should be put back on the sign.

The 16th century explorer’s legacy has been tarnished by a few who think inclusion means tearing down. They certainly don’t speak for or represent our community. Neither did the few on the San Francisco Board of Education who created a lot of turmoil over 44 proposed name changes. That hasty decision has also been stopped so that the community can weigh in on any renaming plans.

The word “inclusive” seems to be slung around very loosely these days. For those of us that do not want the name change, there is no other choice but

Drake High. Unless it is included as an option, we do not have a vote. Without a vote, there is no democracy. We are a very large group in this community.

It is important to recognize that those who want to keep the Drake name aren’t White supremacists or racists, they are friends, neighbors and contributors to the community who care and work toward inclusion. History is a way to learn from the past and move forward by learning from it.

— Bill Hamm, San Rafael