Every morning I walk through the doors of my high school and instantly I feel devalued, not by my teachers or my peers, but by the name of my school and what that name represents.
My school — Denver School of Science and Technology Stapleton — is named after a high ranking member of the Ku Klux Klan, former Denver mayor Benjamin Stapleton. As a young black man, I feel uneasy and neglected because my school’s name honors a known and professed racist. That name should be changed.
My school supposedly choose its name based on the Stapleton neighborhood, but in blindly transferring the name, our community lost an opportunity to take an honest look at our state’s history of oppression. A recent article in the The New York Times explained, “By 1924, the Klan had won control of the mayor’s office, the city police, the governor’s seat, both United States Senate seats and much of the state legislature. Hooded men marched through town; opponents were kidnapped and pistol-whipped.”
By overlooking these dark realities we Coloradans are perpetuating willful ignorance. This pattern of hiding the truth includes Colorado gubernatorial candidate Walker Stapleton, who is the great-grandson of Benjamin Stapleton. In a 2009 political ad he touted the accomplishments of Benjamin Stapleton like helping to build the Civic Center. But, he completely ignored in that ad the haunting reality faced by many Coloradans under his great-grandfather’s 20 year reign. Walker Stapleton wants to focus on the parks and ignore the lynchings.
Although Walker Stapleton is not personally responsible for the actions of his great-grandfather, as a person seeking the highest political office of our state he is responsible for setting a tone of truth and reconciliation for all Coloradans, not sweeping injustices under a politically convenient rug.
A diverse group of young people like myself with the help of Colorado Youth Congress are calling for a new name for my school. Benjamin Stapleton did not want people like me educated. Benjamin Stapleton does not deserve to be honored by my school.
All of my classmates regardless of race, origin, or religion should be able to attend a school that values their humanity and right to learn. I call on all Coloradans, including, Walker Stapleton, to demand the name of my school be changed.
Ahmed Eltayeb is a junior at Denver School of Science and Technology Stapleton and a member of the Colorado Youth Congress.
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