Wright’s legacy despicable

As I remember, although I didn’t take notes, the issue concerning the naming of Fort George Wright Drive that was brought before the faculty of Spokane Falls Community College about 20 years ago was presented without forewarning to the Diversity Committee of the college, of which I was a member.

There were various options presented to the faculty by then-President Vern Loland: keeping it as it is; changing the name; or changing the name to one suggested by the Spokane Tribe. Well, as you can see, the votes for changing the name were divided, and so the highest count was for keeping the name Fort George Wright Drive.

I do remember that Pam Austin, a Native American woman on our Diversity Committee, spoke out adamantly for the change, while Rudy Alexander, a history instructor, spoke passionately for keeping the name because it was part of history.

We are now seeing the effects of symbols and names in South Carolina. Most people who don’t know the history of the Spokane area probably think George Wright was a wonderful person to be honored, but, in fact, his legacy is despicable.

It is time to change the name of Fort George Wright Drive.

Nancy Street

Cheney