A well-liked mountain in Wyoming’s Grand Teton Nationwide Park could quickly have a brand new identify, and a few persons are not completely happy about it. The county has formally issued a proposal to the U.S. Board of Geographic Names (USBGN) that might see Mount Woodring be renamed Raven Peak. The suggestion comes after two weeks of the county in search of suggestions from the general public. And whereas the county can counsel the change, the ultimate resolution lies with the USBGN.
The county tried its greatest to clarify why that is occurring to the general public, however the critiques have been nonetheless blended. Some persons are unbothered, some love the brand new identify, however others are slamming altering the identify in any respect as interfering with historical past and being “too woke.” All of this comes concurrently many individuals round the USA are asking the federal government to “Leave our history alone,” following the Trump administration’s ban on American history being presented in a negative light. Likewise, many People have rather a lot to say in regards to the renaming of certainly one of Grand Teton Nationwide Park’s most iconic peaks.
Why Is Mount Woodring Being Renamed?
Teton County mentioned the mountain in Grand Teton Nationwide Park is being renamed “as a result of troubled historical past of its namesake.” Mount Woodring was named after Samuel T. Woodring, who was the park’s first superintendent. In its proposal, the county highlighted that he was charged with main crimes within the Thirties, noting that they have been later dismissed.
In line with old court documents, Woodring was charged with assault and intent to commit rape in opposition to an 11-year-old woman in 1934. However the prices have been dismissed a yr later because the woman’s dad and mom needed to avoid wasting her from the trauma of testifying.
“This identify change is being proposed as a result of the identify Mount Woodring is offensive. Though not discovered responsible in a court docket of legislation, there’s proof to counsel that Woodring dedicated the acts of kid sexual abuse. Supporting info to show Woodring’s egregious misdeeds will probably be offered within the type of (court docket) data … and likewise a letter written by the Grand Teton Nationwide Park clerk (in 1934),” the county’s proposal reads.
The U.S. Geological Survey additionally recently listed this identify change proposal as an “upcoming proposal of curiosity.” So why was Raven Peak proposed as the brand new identify?
Teton County Suggests “Raven Peak” As New Title For Mount Woodring
Two residents proposed the names Raven Peak and Equality Peak to the Teton County Board of County Commissioners. The proposals have been beforehand obtainable on the county’s web site, however an error web page now pops up when the hyperlink is clicked. Then, in July, the county posted on Fb asking the general public for its assist in selecting between the 2 names, to then suggest one to the USBGN. The county made it clear that the ultimate resolution is as much as the USBGN.
In its closing proposal, it defined that ravens are a typical sight within the Tetons and are clever birds. It added that it is also important to Native American cultures. The county additionally mentioned that since it’s the identify of an animal and never an individual, it could have extra “endurance.”
“The identify Raven Peak can be being particularly really helpful as a result of it’s the identify of an animal, not an individual. The status of an individual can change with the passage of time, whereas the standing of a raven will not be prone to change as years go,” the county mentioned.
Moreover, within the official proposal letter despatched to the USBGN, the county mentioned the identify Equality Peak didn’t sit properly with many members of the general public. Individuals discovered it controversial, and the county mentioned there was “appreciable opposition.” However there are nonetheless many individuals who consider the identify Mount Woodring needs to be saved.
Some Individuals Upset About Mount Woodring Being Renamed
It’s common for the general public to have blended views when websites are renamed within the U.S. As an illustration, the backlash confronted when the Gulf of Mexico was renamed Gulf of America, or when Alaska’s Mount Denali reverted to its former name, Mount McKinley. In terms of renaming Mount Woodring, some discover the proposal an try and erase historical past.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, depart our historical past alone. In the event you do not just like the identify, do not take a look at it,” a Fb person wrote on a post.
Some mentioned the concept of renaming the mountain was “woke,” and others cheekily requested why the complete vary is not being renamed, too.
“How about we do not change historical past. Good, dangerous, or detached. We’re all adults now,” a Fb person wrote.
Comparable feedback included, “If it ain’t broke, do not repair it!” and “Why? Depart it alone.” Lots of people additionally had no clue in regards to the “troubled historical past” behind the identify and requested different customers to clarify why it’s such a giant deal. Some individuals could not be bothered, and there have been additionally situations of hate for each of the initially proposed names.
“I’m positive nobody can have a problem with this boring factor that impacts nobody in any important manner,” a person wrote on a Reddit post.
Teton County Has Submitted The Title Change Proposal – Raven Peak Seems To Be The Winner
Whereas there isn’t a clear timeline for when the USBGN will ship its closing resolution, the proposal is thru, and Teton County seems to favor the identify Raven Peak.
The county made a submit on Instagram on 16 August that implies this new identify is the winner.
“You spoke. We listened! On Monday, August 11, the Teton County Board of County Commissioners unanimously voted to ship a letter to the U.S. Board of Geographic Names supporting the identify change of Mount Woodring in Grand Teton Nationwide Park to Raven Peak,” Teton County wrote on Instagram.
Now that the identify change request has been submitted to the U.S. Board of Geographic Names, the general public will eagerly await listening to whether or not the controversial identify of Mount Woodring will probably be ditched for Raven Peak as a substitute.
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