My mother was wrong. She said; “sticks and stones may break your bones but words will never hurt you”.   Sorry Mom, words have hurt  as have  labels, sexist and off color jokes, stereotyping and hurtful sarcasm. I doubt there is a woman here who hasn’t been affected by words.  Sometime in the middle 1980s during a faculty happy hour on a Friday, one of my colleagues called me a “chick” in response to some discussion about women’s lib and the feminist revolution. I threw my cold drink at him. Chick is such a harmless word yet at the time it represented how women were treated and abused through words. 

Yes, hurtful words are usually addressed to a person. It seems like place names like “fort brag” should not hold the power to hurt, those words are impersonal. Yet connotations and association can be emotionally painful. The populace of Fort Bragg is learning the truth about it’s naming.   The word “Chick” no longer has any emotional triggers for me after all the Women’s liberation revolution was successful, right? 

Now that I understand how Fort Bragg got it’s name - it bothers me that I live in a place where beauty abounds and it is named for a person who became a Confederate  and a military outpost where many suffered and died. 

During last months teach-in, Buffey Wright Bourassa told us that names are sacred and that every place named has meaning for it’s place in the story. I heard that and am even more strengthened in my resolve to continue this journey; to help educate all in our community and; to a name change.  Perhaps the name, Fort Bragg, was familiar and what the residents were used to hearing; perhaps the name was thought out carefully. I suspect when the mill town was incorporated in 1889 it easily adopted the name of the military post that had been abandoned due to scandal and corruption 22 years before.

I support Change our Name Fort Bragg for many reasons, the least of those being to “change” the name. There seems to be a rush to “name”. When I speak with friends about this movement I am often asked what the name will be?  Which name do I like? When do we vote on a new name?  Personally I don’t think I am qualified to be a namer.  Hopefully the indigenous peoples will find a name sacred to this place and it’s place in the story. 

My purpose here tonight is to tell you why I support Change Our Name Fort Bragg.  I doubt my reasons to support are like yours or maybe anyone else. Honestly, I think everyone has to come to support of the movement on their own path.

I think the word “change”  can be frightening to many and some shut down when they have to think about any alteration of their daily lives.  Some folks are frightened of the word “forever”.  Those of us who are consciously thinking about the issue are questioned whether we are emotionally connected, or more important, understand the emotion the name change triggers. It will not be an easy journey for the voters to come to the place where the name reflects this beautiful city and the land where it sits. 

Truth be told the name “Fort Bragg” had been an irritant to me even before I attended the first teach-In.  When my husband and I moved here in August of 1990 we ,and our visitors, made fun of the name. We learned the basic: named for a one time military outpost established to protect whites from the natives.  

  Later when people all over the country began removing offensive statutes and monuments because of their connotation I knew it could happen here. I feel the time is right.  When I understood that the true history of the name “Fort Bragg” has been hidden and, in some cases, suppressed, my interest became more of a pursuit to know why, how and what next.

I am appreciative of the founders, board members, historians, technicians and supporters of this organization because I now am learning the truth from a multitude of voices.  When Christie Olson Day, for example, told us about the Citizen’s Commission established by the FB city council  I learned a truth.  The committee did not say “no name change”. They recommended the movement be citizen directed and not done through the city council.  I believe this is what we are doing.  Thanks to the founders of Change Our Name.

Most of my years as an educator involved working with those with disabilities.  Obviously, names and labels are a integral part of the educational system.  We use the terms “learning skills” or “strategies for success” yet we know the individual student feels the pain of the name attached to his or her learning difference.     Working with adult learners felt like a reward. One of the perks of  was I got to tell my students that “no, you are not stupid, slow, retarded or crazy - Here is how I think your brain works, how it is wired to learn. “  Hopefully some of those hurtful labels were abandoned.

The best years of my career as an educator were here in this community at College of the Redwoods.  I felt as if the students I worked with learned and grew from my influence; I made strong friendships; and I retired from teaching with a fun party.  When our community college changed leadership it’s name changed too.  I still remember those 12 years at CR with pride even though the name is now Mendocino College. 

I am a white, educated, progressive voter and yes this effort appeals to me. I choose to be identified as “aware” in that I am willing to hear, and learn ,and grow from new and factual information. I am also aware that I have not personally experienced the horror or the struggles the name Fort Bragg may evoke the cultures associated with this name.  

Whenever we are in a discussion about this topic or other controversial issues we are encouraged to find common ground, that is find a political, social, religious or moral place where you and your neighbor (or relative) agree. Sometimes very difficult to do. I would hope our common interest includes trail access, police, fire and disaster protection and smart use of resources. 

In spite of the need we share to preserve these important services, we may find it difficult to find common ground when it comes to a name change. These days we, both conservative and liberal thinkers, find ourselves being identifying with the media’s  insistence that we are divided.   If so, how can we find a way to agree.

Most people I know, including my neighbors and friends are participants in Common Good. We are helpers; we are givers. Some of you are volunteers; some of you mow your neighbor’s lawn; some of you stand up and protest whenever a stranger is harassed or abused.  We have a basic need, as humans, to watch out for each other.  Many of us are contributors to one or more of our non profits so that all are cared for. Robert Reich says actions of Common Good are inclusive of all, no exceptions. When our society is committed to the common good, that is trusting that we have common values, the more willing we are to accept disruptions that inevitably accompany new ideas.  Reich author and blogger among other actions says “truth itself is a common good.”   Change our Name Fort Bragg is determined to identify the truth. I believe that this agreement that we live in an ideal city can lead us to action for the Common Good.

One of the ways I believe I contribute to the Common Good is to stand in witness every first Friday on the corner of Laurel and Main.  Women in Black for Peace is part of a network of men, and women committed to peace with justice and opposed to injustice , war militarism and other forms of violence. It is our agreement that we, as humans, are called to stand witness to suffering. We bear witness - we show that something exists or is true.  War, violence  and injustice exist and standing there for one hour we add to the Common Good truths as we remind passersby that we must care for each other.

When the label Fort Bragg is no longer the name of this town my vision is that every resident knows the true history - that they will bear witness.  

I envision that every visitor knows that when the new name is said along with formerly known as Fort Bragg they will be happy to vacation here and eager to explore the variety of information sources and displays we and those whose land we have taken will make available.  Our courage will be celebrated. Our willingness to reveal the truth will be recognized.  Among the facts will be the true story of the first peoples . There will be a number of buildings and memorial statues approved and designed by the Tribal Councils.  Among the buildings dedicated to the history will be a place of mourning. Among the buildings will be a array of photos, maps and voices that identify the resources, life skills, livelihoods and contentment of those who lived here first. 

Residents and visitors will know the truth about  the military outpost and what happened on that reservation.  I want everyone to know the truth of who was Braxton Bragg and how the military outpost was established with the name of a person who is now long forgotten; how the words “fort” and “Bragg “ may hurt more than sticks and stones.