I have deep roots in the south. My dad was born and raised in Alabama in the same small town as many generations before him. I grew up in several southern states before moving here to Washington State when I was 12. I now proudly call myself a Northwesterner.
I fully support state Rep. Hans Dunshee’s efforts to change the name for Highway 99 from the Jefferson Davis Highway to the William P. Stewart Memorial Highway. There are many reasons I feel this is an appropriate change.
Jefferson Davis is memorialized many times and in many places in the south. As a person who grew up in the south, the mention of his name makes me think of slavery. Jefferson Davis’s time was a dark period in American history that we should not ever forget, but I truly feel a highway and marker named for this man fails to help us remember those events and only glorifies a man who promoted and believed in slavery. I think to honor a man who represents the promotion of slavery is not fitting in our time and is wrong.
I think we can better remember that dark time by honoring a man who was not honored in his own time. Naming Highway 99 after a black man who served his country and lived in our region is a very positive way to make sure we don’t forget the many aspects of our history.
Thank you to Hans for helping us remember the whole history. It’s pathetic that some people have to act out with threats and violence toward those that they don’t agree with. I’m sorry that they fail to see that Hans puts his heart and soul into his work and is a good man who deserves to be able to do what he thinks is right without some out-of-control nuts threatening him and his family. I know Hans personally, he is a good friend, a wonderful legislator and he cares about people and his dedication to the people of this state is sincere. Keep up the good work, Hans!
Snohomish
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