Kit Carson RV Park in Flagstaff sparks petition for new name

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — A petition to change the name of a Flagstaff RV park named for explorer Kit Carson is gaining momentum in the wake of public conversations on systemic racism and white supremacy.

The petition calling for a name change for Kit Carson RV Park has garnered more than 800 signatures since its creation last month, the Arizona Daily Sun reported.

Serving in the Union Army, Carson spearheaded a campaign in 1863 to force the Navajo from their land in the Four Corners region to Bosque Redondo in eastern New Mexico after burning their crops and killing livestock.

Thousands of Navajos made the journey known as the Long Walk. Many died along the way or amid horrific living conditions during their internment.



Adriana Orman stands outside the 102-year-old Kit Carson RV Park in Flagstaff , Ariz.,on Friday, July 10, 2020. Orman helped start a petition to change the name of the RV park named for the explorer, which is gaining momentum in the wake of public conversations on systemic racism and white supremacy. (Rachel Gibbons via The AP)/Arizona Daily Sun via AP)


Read more: https://apnews.com/cf006344e561851d0dce984e530a5803

[cstanleytech]

1. I say let the Indian reservations in the state make the decision.

After all their ancestors were the ones most directly affected by his actions both bad and good so they should be the ones to make the decision.

[PatSeg]

2. Maybe we should avoid

naming things after people. Let their deeds or misdeeds define them in the history books.

And as for statues, I've never been a big fan, as it is often a symbol of tyranny and autocracy. Invariably, someone is bound to be offended. I suppose now I understand why some religions would call it idolatry.

[Steelrolled]

4. Great idea. Maybe we could number them like highways.

National Park 37 has a nice ring to it.

[PatSeg]

6. Well names are still nice

Just not after people. I don't think anyone ever got offended over "Yellowstone" or "Grand Canyon". Throughout history, putting someone's name or image on something was often a display of vanity and arrogance.

[Steelrolled]

12. I wouldn't be so sure about "Yellowstone" or "Grand Canyon"

I'd guess there were Native American names for those sites before the Europeans came in with their own names (like Mt McKinley, now known as Denali).

[PatSeg]

13. Oh yes, that's true

I guess almost any name could end up offending someone. I suppose the best we can do is try not to knowingly offend someone.

[hadEnuf]

11. Maybe they could avoid naming them after murderous jerks?

Just a thought.

[PatSeg]

14. Oh, that would definitely

be a good start.

[rollin74]

3. Carson City, NV is also named after Kit Carson

I wonder if there will be a movement to change the name of Nevada’s capital city

[oldsoftie]

9. Yes, there are TONS of cities named after these people. There just has to be a line.

At some point we just have to move on. Put up a plaque with the history of whoever or whatever & be done with it. Its starting to be like the Taliban out there; knocking done statues of abolitionists & Virgin Mary. And more.

[Raine]

15. Totally agree. nt

[Paladin]

5. This will piss off a lot of RV'ers, because:

1. Arizona is a popular camping region; and

2. A big portion of RV'ers are right-wingers.

Looking forward to their outrage.

[niyad]

7. Ft. Carson, in CO. So, not named after a confederate traitor, but a genocidal monster.

[Harker]

8. I was thinking just yesterday that the

US Army had it's share of genocidal functionaries to go with the Confederate "he-roes."

The statue toppling could go on forever.

[regnaD kciN]

10. It appears to be a privately-owned business...

...so they have the right to name it whatever they want...just as consumers have the right to boycott a business whose name they find offensive.