Understand historic names

Regarding Barb Brock’s June 29 letter: As a born and bred South Carolinian, I agree it is time to remove Confederate flags flying in America. Changing street names may be difficult, and not only south of the Mason-Dixon Line.

Spokane has streets with names from the Civil War: Gettysburg Drive., Vicksburg Avenue, Gen. Lee Way and Gen. Grant Way. Sumter Way, recognizing Fort Sumter, where the first shots were fired, was named for Gen. Thomas Sumter, a Revolutionary War hero. Shenandoah Drive is from the valley in Virginia, now home of Shenandoah National Park.

These are reminders of a war that split our country, but made us stronger; a United States most willing, and usually the first to rise and fight for the rights of oppressed peoples worldwide. America won independence 250 years ago, yet we have places named for the British: New York, New Jersey, Maryland, etc. Should we change those?

Instead of erasing reminders of unpleasant times in history, we should ensure that our youth know and understand how they have made us the great country we are. Then they will always be able to say, proudly, “We the People of the United States of America …”

Beth Bornhoft

Spokane