Community demands name change for Magruder Elementary School

During a recent York County School Board meeting, community member Mary Lassiter passionately advocated for the renaming of Magruder Elementary School, citing its namesake, Confederate General John Bankhead Magruder, as a figure whose legacy is incompatible with contemporary values.

Lassiter, a resident of the Bruton district, shared insights from her brother Carl Lassiter's letter, which questioned the rationale behind the school's name. According to her research, the school is named after Magruder in commemoration of the Lost Village, a community primarily populated by former slaves after the Civil War. However, she argued that the name honors a Confederate general responsible for significant violence against African Americans, including the burning of Hampton and the capture of runaway slaves.

She emphasized that there is no evidence suggesting that the Black community had any role in naming the village of Magruder, asserting that it was likely chosen by a white postmaster sympathetic to Confederate ideals. Lassiter called for the school board to confront the historical implications of the name and consider a change that reflects the values of inclusivity and respect for the community's history.

The discussion around the school's name highlights ongoing debates about how historical figures are commemorated in public spaces and the importance of acknowledging the full context of their legacies. The school board has yet to respond to the call for a name change, but the conversation is expected to continue as community members seek to address historical injustices.