3 Tempe AZ schools named after KKK members

[struggle4progress]

12 News
Published: 4:42 PM MST October 15, 2021
Updated: 10:18 PM MST October 15, 2021

The Tempe Elementary School District sent an email to parents on Friday ... that Gililland Middle School, Hudson Elementary School and Laird School were named after members of the Ku Klux Klan ...

According to the district, the local chapter of the KKK was focused on "anti-Catholic activity, and specifically against Catholic teachers in public schools."

The district stated there are currently no plans to rename the schools, but explained that the email was sent as a way to cultivate an "inclusive process in which all stakeholders will have the opportunity to contribute input."

Additionally, the district said that several streets, parks and historic properties were also named after KKK members in Tempe ...

https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/3-schools-named-after-kkk-members-tempe-historical-records-show/75-49d15084-9065-4ae5-a6a6-e3d5f0152e03

[AZSkiffyGeek]

1. Tempe was a sundown town nt

[Celerity]

2. Yes

https://www.tempe.gov/Home/Components/News/News/1733/1414?arch=1&npage=12

Tempe was not always a welcoming place for African Americans. The Ku Klux Klan had a presence in Tempe in the 1920s, and Tempe was a considered a ‘sundown town’ for African Americans as late as 60 years ago, meaning that African Americans were not welcome in the city after sundown.

“From struggle to acceptance, the stories and accounts in this book tell the history of the African American experience in our community," Woods said. “I’m excited about the book release and look forward to moderating the panel discussion.”

[marble falls]

3. My folks have been there since '71, my youngest brother's went school there all the way ...

... I think my SiL is teaching at Gililland.

Absolutely never, ever heard that. Whoa. Shocked and disappointed.

[rsdsharp]

4. My brother and sister-in-law have been in Tempe since 1973.

She (now retired) was assistant principal at a Tempe middle school for a number of years, but I don’t know which one.

[marble falls]

7. DU is a well knit network. I believe that there are no longer six degrees of separation. Maybe four.

[AZProgressive]

5. I went to Gilliland briefly

[keithbvadu2]

6. "anti-Catholic"... all is forgiven now?

"anti-Catholic"... all is forgiven now?

[Igel]

8. "Anti-Catholic" isn't usually a category that's considered oppositional.

More than a few people I've run into were strongly anti-Catholic.

They said so. Rather LOUDLY.

For months or years.

And somehow were never got their pizza.

Offensive, but there you go. And, to be honest, when Kennedy was elected it wasn't a (D) thing it was perceived more as a (C) thing.