Once upon a time, the Birmingham School Board had a policy that prohibited naming building wings after people. Why did they do this? Because people are complex, and prone to frailty, and almost certain to have a skeleton rattling around in a closet somewhere. Because, even more than that, it was the belief of that board that their existence served the neighborhoods and communities, and all the people represented there. Naming public property after people goes badly so often. It goes badly almost inevitably. Naming public spaces after people, particularly living people, is rife with danger. You can find these blunders in every county, every town, and on every school campus where the names on buildings purport to tell of people so important and notable they should be remembered for posterity. But it’s a ruse. Most buildings are named for fat cats or politicians who secure pork for the people who want to build them. But we build shrines to people, on public lands, with public money, in the public name. And they become part of us. They become endorsed by us.
I am referring to the Music wing at the Plainedge High School , that was recently voted upon by the Board of Education to be named after former Board Member Cathy Flanagan. Everyone has their opinions on this and mine is no less important. However, I feel the need to get this out there and see what change we can make,
My first question is was the community involved in this decision? No... How about the hundreds of students that have walked the halls of PHS and been a part of the music program? No... I am sure the students would have many ideas as to what the wing should be called. So why not ask them? It is, after all their school, and for graduates, their alma mater. Let the student voices be heard and let them decide who, if anyone they want to honor. If you agree with this , please sign. If you do not, I thank you for reading through to the end.