GREENSBORO, NC -- You didn't recognize his face. Probably never even heard his views. So what's the big deal? what do we accomplish by removing his name?
George Washington the father of our nation was slave owner at age 11.
Where do we draw the line? Do we take George Washington off our money?
An obscure name on a building does no more to promote racism than George Washington's face on the dollar bill.
That's my view - what I shared with you last night.
Where do we draw the line?
Do we ignore the reason why Governor Charles Aycock's name is on the building?
Do we change the name of the city of Greensboro because Nathanael Greene owned slaves?
Should Aycock Street, Aycock Middle and the Aycock neighborhood change their names?
I don't think so.
I snapped a photo today of a tunnel the entering Aycock neighborhood.
It reads in plain view, Welcome to Aycock where history matters."
We learn from history.We don't burn it. What's done is done - the bad and the good!
I asked you to tell me your view.
And out of more than 500 Facebook comments and emails, only three disagreed with my view.
Dawn disagreed with me saying "Just because he did some good things, the bad things are far from erased."
Karen said, "I agree totally with you Frank! My last name is Aycock and I have actually had some people, in all seriousness, ask if I was going to change my name!"
Sally said, "My first thought was, if all we remember is someone's worst act or statement, we are all doomed!"
Here's my original commentary.
