Rhode Island to change state name (Providence: 2009, homes, subdivision)

[Future Trooper]

RI closer to changing state name over slavery - Yahoo! News

I never knew that the official name for the state of Rhode Island was State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

I can understand why they would want to drop the ending but, I think it's stupid to do so. That's been it's official name ever since it joined the union as the 13th state on May 29th, 1790. It's been apart of Rhode Island's history for 219 years.

[Traditional Texan]

A plantation does not necisarally conotate with slavery. This is ridiculous. People these days are too sensitive. George Clooney will probably now write a speech about the progression on the East coast.

[lammius]

I think this is stupid too. I mean heck, it seems every new housing subdivision in the SC Lowcountry has "Plantation" in the name. I've always liked Rhode Island's full name, just because it's so long. It's the smallest state and has the longest name. It's also accurate. Not all of the state is on Rhode Island (Aquidneck Island). Most of the state's land area is on the North American mainland (where the Providence Plantations were).

[atlantagreg30127]

Being one state specific in nature, this topic belongs in that State's room and not the General U.S. room, so it's being moved there.

[truemuck]

To be honest, I didn't know that was the state's real name. I kinda like it. I agree this whole thing is kinda silly.

[treasurekidd]

People these days are too sensitive

I think ignorant is more accurate. Most Rhode Islanders don't even realize that that is the state's complete name, and that the term plantation was really just a formal name for a farm. But I'm glad to see that our legislature is hard at work on the REALLY important issues like this, instead of wasting their time on silly stuff like budget deficits, state spending reforms, RI's poor business environment, crumbling infrastructure, etc, etc. Unbelievable!

[Hollytree]

I've posted before on this issue and would like to reiterate that I feel it is absurd to change the name. For starters, the state's name has NOTHING to do with slavery- regardless of current connotations. Plantations was often used back then to mean "planted"- and probably referred to the planting of Roger Williams's church which was dedicate to freedom of conscience and soul liberty.

PLEASE VOTE NO ON THIS ISSUE!!!!!

[mr2448]

to win, the minority groups of all the urban areas will have to show up at the polling places. The East Side liberals will also need to come out and vote. My wife and I will vote a resounding "no". Next we will have need to vote back "*****rdly" into common english usage.

Well, it was edited out because the word's real definition has no bearing. I am surprised that we can still use "plantation" in this discussion. BTW, the word began with "n".

[Hollytree]

This has been approved to be put to public vote next year.
Please say NO to the special interests groups attempting to dominate our legislature and state and No to the "feel good" historical revisionists.

What ever happened to the US that defended historical accuracy and used to laugh at the "revised" textbooks of the Soviet Union, etc. ? Why not start a national campaign to change all the names of the states that have Indian names like Wyoming and Oklahoma- the Indians don't own the land anymore and it reminds them- quite painfully I'm sure- that they were defeated.......

R.I. may vote on striking ‘plantations’ from state’s name | Rhode Island news | projo.com | The Providence Journal

[Future Trooper]

Originally Posted by Hollytree

This has been approved to be put to public vote next year.
Please say NO to the special interests groups attempting to dominate our legislature and state and No to the "feel good" historical revisionists.

What ever happened to the US that defended historical accuracy and used to laugh at the "revised" textbooks of the Soviet Union, etc. ? Why not start a national campaign to change all the names of the states that have Indian names like Wyoming and Oklahoma- the Indians don't own the land anymore and it reminds them- quite painfully I'm sure- that they were defeated.......

R.I. may vote on striking ‘plantations’ from state’s name | Rhode Island news | projo.com | The Providence Journal

I wonder what would be the new name for my homestate because my homestate is Indiana. Indiana is derived from the word Indian. Indianapolis means the City of Indians in Greek.