The origin of the district’s name has been confirmed by academic experts.
“After reviewing the historical documents compiled by Change The Name (www.changethename.net) advocates, as well as a number of supplementary sources, it is my conclusion that the organization’s account and characterization of the historical origins of the Dixie School District’s name are accurate.” — Chiyuma Elliott, Assistant Professor, African American Studies, University of California, Berkeley
The impact of the Dixie School District’s name is divisive and hurtful to many people.
“Regardless of how “harmless” members of our community may consider the name Dixie to be, there is ample evidence from educational research that real and lasting harm is done to the educational outcomes and self-esteem of students of color who must learn in an environment where even “subtle” or “unintentional” messages are present honoring a history that excluded and devalued those like them. I hope we will choose not to take the chance of perpetuating such negative impacts.” — Nicola Pitchford, PhD, San Rafael, CA
Read Dr. Pitchford’s full report.
“[T]he name Dixie connotes-- intentionally or not--a dark and hateful part of our nations's history that offends our community and beyond. For that reason it is more than just a local issue...We cannot separate this issue from the broader context of our country's struggles with racism, including the ugly resurgence of neo-Confederates and white nationalists who are trying to take us backwards...Our nation's dark history compels us to be honest about the hateful origins of these symbols and to acknowledge that whatever revisionist nostalgia may come to attach to them, they are rooted in racism and deeply offensive to many people." — Congressman Jared Huffman
