Street name in Phoenix deemed "offensive"/stanton wants to change it (Scottsdale: appointed, how much)

[kell490]

Originally Posted by exit2lef

I've lived within a mile of the mountain for more than two decades and I call it "Piestewa Peak." I don't think my children know it by any other name. Their generation is where the change will really occur. As for the city street that leads into the park, the change would have been less controversial if it had been made back in 2003 at the same time the mountain and freeway names were changed, effectively pulling off the entire band-aid all at once.

I see the reason they didn't change it asking all the residents on the street to change their address would really get them upset like they are now it's not controversial it's a big hassle. I could not even think of all the things my address is on take me months to get it all straightened out.

[ElleTea]

Should we also change the name of Indian School Road?

Here is an article discussion the origin of some other street names in the valley. Kind of interesting

Arizona Stories

[Colt AZ]

Originally Posted by ElleTea

Should we also change the name of Indian School Road?

Here is an article discussion the origin of some other street names in the valley. Kind of interesting

Arizona Stories

Can't wait 'til we arrive at a totally pristine, politically-correct, non-offensive Arizona.

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by Colt Cassidy

Can't wait 'til we arrive at a totally pristine, politically-correct, non-offensive Arizona.

FTR I don't think an of the names should be changed, but I do wonder why not all the uproar over Indian School Rd since Indian Schools were pretty terrible.

We should just rename all streets to non descript letters and numbers 1 Street, 2 Street, A Road, B Road, etc). But leave out 13 because a lot of people think that's unlucky. Oh and you can't use 4 (or is it 7?) because that is offensive to Chinese culture. And when we get to 666 be sure to leave that out too, sign of the devil and all. And I have just never liked the number 8 or the letter Q, so no 8's or Q's in any of the names, please.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by stevek64

Waste of time/money or something that should be addressed? I think stanton is there to listen to his constituents and the majority don't want this change. Plus isn't there more pressing matters/priories to be addressed in Phoenix?

Actually, I'm leaning in favor of changing the name of the street to Piestewa Peak Drive, but not because of the supposed derogatory meaning of "squaw". The name of the mountain was changed to Piestewa, as was the freeway name, so what sense does it make to keep the Squaw Peak name in place? The street traverses through a neighborhood up to the preserve, so changing the street name to Piestewa would be more fitting. I agree, however, that there are more essential issues to be concerned about, and I don't give a rat's rump about how "offensive" a certain word supposedly is to a few overly sensitive ears. On that note, I say GET OVER IT!

Originally Posted by DetroitN8V

I'd like to hear a Native American's take on it. Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary defines the term as “often offensive: an American Indian woman” and “usually disparaging: woman, wife.”

Lots of words can be offensive if you try hard enough. If "squaw" is really that derogatory, then it apparently got past the censors on the old Westerns, as well as pristine family sitcoms like "Brady Bunch" ... and I don't recall hearing an outcry from anybody when it was used on TV back then either.

Originally Posted by ElleTea

Should we also change the name of Indian School Road?

Yes, because there is no more Indian School. Also change the name of Rural Road in Tempe because it's anything but rural! See, I don't care about the supposed politically incorrect aspect of these street names. I'm in favor of changing some of them because of relevance.

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

Yes, because there is no more Indian School. Also change the name of Rural Road in Tempe because it's anything but rural! See, I don't care about the supposed politically incorrect aspect of these street names. I'm in favor of changing some of them because of relevance.

What about Alma School? Does that school still exist? And is there actually a Country Club on that street? Baseline is no longer the southern dividing line of the territory, so we should change that too? I heard once that Northern and Southern were named because they represented the north and south borders of the city. That isn't the truth these days, so change them, too? How about Deer Valley Road? I've never seen any deer up there...or doves on Dove Valley Rd. And is Happy Valley really all that happy? At least University actually has a University on it, so that one can stay, PHEW!

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

Lots of words can be offensive if you try hard enough. If "squaw" is really that derogatory, then it apparently got past the censors on the old Westerns, as well as pristine family sitcoms like "Brady Bunch" ... and I don't recall hearing an outcry from anybody when it was used on TV back then either.

OK, but that was back when people used "colored people" and "orientals", so you're not making much of a point there. Things change over time.

[FirebirdCamaro1220]

Originally Posted by ElleTea

What about Alma School? Does that school still exist? And is there actually a Country Club on that street? Baseline is no longer the southern dividing line of the territory, so we should change that too? I heard once that Northern and Southern were named because they represented the north and south borders of the city. That isn't the truth these days, so change them, too? How about Deer Valley Road? I've never seen any deer up there...or doves on Dove Valley Rd. And is Happy Valley really all that happy? At least University actually has a University on it, so that one can stay, PHEW!

There is a Country Club on Country Club, it's near Brown Rd

[FirebirdCamaro1220]

And in regards to Indian School Rd, I remember getting to see the old Indian School a year before it was razed. It was kind of depressing knowing what happened there

[BIG CATS]

Pretty soon PC folks will want Scottsdale renamed because its named after a white guy, and we just cant be havin that these days!