Does our past define who we are today? As individuals? As a community? To begin to authentically address that issue requires that first we be clear about the history, and then ask: In whose view?

There are those of the Fort Bragg Forever (FBFer) clan that passionately deny that there was ever any such thing as ethnic cleansing, genocide, involuntary servitude, or racism to be found in the history of this part of the Mendocino coast. No violent attacks on the Chinese workers imported to build the railway tunnel, no Klan cross-burnings continuing into the 1920's; nothing of the sort ever disturbed the tranquility of what they believe to have always been "a richly multicultural community." No, the Army's presence here was "largely benign; the atrocities took place somewhere out east, not here."

Unfortunately for the FBFer mythology, the facts, albeit long hidden and denied, are otherwise. While there is currently only one sign that tells the truth about the hidden history to be found anywhere in the town, and that history is not taught in any way in our schools, the hidden history is slowly coming into view. When the majority of the town's residents become familiar with the full story of what was done here, what will be their reaction?

Fact: The town was named for the fort that once stood here with its Army unit that was charged to "maintain order" on the Mendocino Indian Reservation -- it was a concentration camp for indigenous people. The Army rounded up people, moved them into the reservation, and ensured that they stayed there despite the appalling conditions.

Fact: The fort was named for a slaveowner minor hero of the Mexican-American War who went on to become a traitor to the US, directly responsible for the deaths of US servicemen.

What does it mean that the truth about our past has been so long suppressed and denied? The response by some to the emerging details is "Well, it was a long time ago, All those people are long dead. Therefore, it has no relevance whatsoever to who we are today." Doesn't it?

The FBFers claim that the pressure to change the name is coming only from outsiders or people who have just recently moved here, denying the fact that many supporting the change are people who have lived here all their lives and who come from families who have been here for many generations. Even if it were true that the majority of those favoring the change are relative newcomers, so what? There is no connection between the length of residency and the accuracy of the basic historical facts. When people all across the country hear of the only remaining town in the USA named for Braxton Bragg, and the fact that some of its residents bitterly resist changing the name, what will be their impression of the town? How will they answer the question about the past defining who we are today? For a town that relies as much on tourism as we do, what might be the cost of that scenario?