In Minneapolis there is a growing movement to rename one of the city's lakes. Lake Calhoun is named after one John C. Calhoun. A Minneapolis StarTribune article (linked below) describes Mr. Calhoun as "a former U.S. secretary of war who was also an impassioned defender of slavery. The article fails to mention that he was also a former U.S. Congressman, U.S. Senator and the 7th Vice President.
Lake Calhoun has held this name since at least 1839. Minnesota was still a territory and the Civil War was twenty years in the future. While the lake was named after John C. Calhoun the businesses using the name Calhoun, probably chose the name after the lake and their proximity to it, not the man.
What I find amusing about these name change debates is the people that are so offended. Luke Breen the owner of the 20 year old bike shop, Calhoun Cycle. Mr. Breen said: "It’s some pretty horrible offenses we’re named after." Breen also went on to say: "I’m fairly passionate about the social justice issue, it’s a little bit of a stain on all our faces. … In actuality, I’m terribly embarrassed by it." Mr. Breen is so upset and embarrassed that he has decided to change the name of his shop. If he is really upset and embarrassed why did he choose this name? If he wasn't the founder of the bike shop, why is he waiting until now to make the name change. Nothing like jumping on the PC bandwagon because it's like the, um, epic thing to do, ya know. Some will go along with the name change just because it's in vogue. Others will kowtow because of the negative connotations brought on by politically correct pressure to change.
http://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-bike-shop-takes-the-lead-on-ditching-calhoun-name/313901761/
Lake Calhoun has held this name since at least 1839. Minnesota was still a territory and the Civil War was twenty years in the future. While the lake was named after John C. Calhoun the businesses using the name Calhoun, probably chose the name after the lake and their proximity to it, not the man.
What I find amusing about these name change debates is the people that are so offended. Luke Breen the owner of the 20 year old bike shop, Calhoun Cycle. Mr. Breen said: "It’s some pretty horrible offenses we’re named after." Breen also went on to say: "I’m fairly passionate about the social justice issue, it’s a little bit of a stain on all our faces. … In actuality, I’m terribly embarrassed by it." Mr. Breen is so upset and embarrassed that he has decided to change the name of his shop. If he is really upset and embarrassed why did he choose this name? If he wasn't the founder of the bike shop, why is he waiting until now to make the name change. Nothing like jumping on the PC bandwagon because it's like the, um, epic thing to do, ya know. Some will go along with the name change just because it's in vogue. Others will kowtow because of the negative connotations brought on by politically correct pressure to change.
http://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-bike-shop-takes-the-lead-on-ditching-calhoun-name/313901761/
