Stapleton name change - here we go again (Denver, Aurora: live, shop)

[davidv]

First of all it's important to note that place names have meaning. There is actually a branch of geography known as toponymy which is the study of place names, (their origins and history, meaning, and use). Naming and renaming places is purposeful and it reflects the cultural values, history, and views of the group that is doing the naming or renaming of that place.

For centuries, the West imposed place names in areas around the world commemorating individuals that were important to them, but not to those who lived there. Some of these name changes were made to assert their dominance over conquered peoples. For example, the East Sea was renamed the Sea of Japan after Japanese conquest of Korea. Welsh place names were replaced by English names as an effort to wipe out the Welsh language and history.

There is a long history of changing place names in the world. Some of the most famous examples include:
Byzantium -> Constantinople -> Istanbul
New Amsterdam -> New York
Nyen -> St. Petersburg -> Petrograd -> Leningrad -> St. Petersburg

China is called China because Westerners named the country after the Qin (Ch'in) dynasty. The Chinese themselves refer to their country as Zhongguo or "middle kingdom (country)." The country of Hellas (officially Helliniki Dimokratia) is called Greece by English speakers who adopted the Latin name for the area.

As indigenous people around the world have gained their freedom from Westerners, they have also started to assert their authority to begin renaming places to reflect the original place names and their histories and values. Of course, Westerners, especially Americans, see this as an attack on their heritage. As such, it becomes controversial when a mountain like Mt. McKinley reverts to its original Koyukon name, Denali. However, in recent years Bombay has become Mumbai, Ayers Rock is now Uluru, and Rhodesia is now Zimbabwe.

As our cultural values change, it is appropriate for us to look at place names that no longer fit with our values and change those names. There will be those who will object, but a changed place name can alleviate painful memories (good bye Leningrad and Stalingrad) and signal a new beginning for that place.

[BarryK123]

Let's use numbers instead of names.

[emm74]

Originally Posted by davidv

As our cultural values change, it is appropriate for us to look at place names that no longer fit with our values and change those names. There will be those who will object, but a changed place name can alleviate painful memories (good bye Leningrad and Stalingrad) and signal a new beginning for that place.

Exactly this. It's ok to move on from a name that shouldn't have been selected when the redevelopment was done, because people were already pointing out his problematic history.

At least we will get a fresh start 20 years later

Originally Posted by BarryK123

Let's use numbers instead of names.

That's been suggested, more than once! Facetiously by some, but naming after one or more of the runways as a legitimate suggestion too. One of the community pools here is already named for a runway, and another is named for a particular plane

[daprara]

Originally Posted by emm74

... because people were already pointing out his problematic history...

use numbers, just avoid "666"

[Therblig]

Originally Posted by daprara

use numbers, just avoid "666"

...along with "18," "81," "13" and "69."

[BarryK123]

Originally Posted by Therblig

...along with "18," "81," "13" and "69."

It's always something...

Speaking of it's always something, check this one out:
https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/27/us/wo...rnd/index.html

Next, I suggest the car company Ford change it's name, as Henry Ford was a vicious racist and anti-semite.

[Therblig]

Originally Posted by BarryK123

Next, I suggest the car company Ford change it's name, as Henry Ford was a vicious racist and anti-semite.

So it's now an acronym... Friend Of Racial Diversity. Done.

I don't really object to Princeton scraping Wilson's name off the school. They should have done it long ago. There just isn't much about him to respect, starting with being elected because "he kept us out of war."

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by BarryK123

It's always something...

Speaking of it's always something, check this one out:
https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/27/us/wo...rnd/index.html

Next, I suggest the car company Ford change it's name, as Henry Ford was a vicious racist and anti-semite.

But Henry Ford didn't wage war on the USA, kill untold thousands of Americans, and try to tear the country apart. Slight difference, eh.

Besides, we have millions of vicious racists running around, neo-nazis, and a ton of other nutjobs.

[Westerner92]

Originally Posted by BarryK123

It's always something...

Speaking of it's always something, check this one out:
https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/27/us/wo...rnd/index.html

Next, I suggest the car company Ford change it's name, as Henry Ford was a vicious racist and anti-semite.

Great, get it started and see if it gains any traction. Prediction: it won’t.

[2bindenver]

Summaries of Final Name Options
The following four names will continue into a second vote by residents on July 20 to 24 — they are ranked below based on the highest to lowest results in the first round of voting. Randolph, Peterson, Park Central, Meadowlark and Tailwinds were the five names eliminated in the first round.

https://303magazine.com/2020/07/stap...rmUO-Ta1EjkPrg