Three years after renaming, School Board member seeks to honor George Wythe again
Richmond School Board member Emmett Jafari (8th District) would like RPS to declare July as George Wythe Month, according to a document provided to The Richmonder.
The proposed recognition comes just months before the new Richmond High School for the Arts building, the school formerly named for Wythe, is set to open for students.
Jafari told The Richmonder that he introduced the proclamation to ensure that there is a full telling of his story and his contribution to abolition and “the ultimate sacrifice of his life,” especially in light of the country’s 250th anniversary.
The Southside high school was renamed three years ago due to Wythe’s slaveowning history. It was added to a list of three other schools the Board agreed to change for also having names tied to the Confederacy and slavery. Jafari, who is Black, noted that while Wythe owned slaves, he freed them later in life and pushed for emancipation.
“I’m not saying the man was perfect,” he said. “To me, it’s not just whether or not you owned slaves, it’s what you did in your life to change that institution.”
When asked if he wants to rename the school back to Wythe, he said that’s not his focus right now, but may be down the line.
Richmond’s School Board meets on Monday night, but it’s unclear how much support Jafari has for his motion.
Stephanie Rizzi, Board representative of the district the school is in, said the renaming process was an extensive one that included a committee consisting of community members who helped choose the new name.
“As far as I know, the community has spoken,” she said.
The rest of the School Board has “basically denied” putting his proposal on a meeting agenda, Jafari said, and pointed to school policy stating that Board members may add or remove items from the agenda when motioned, seconded by another member and adopted by a majority vote. After it is seconded, Board members can have discussions about the motion before an official vote, something Jafari said he’s not even being allowed.
“I’m very concerned about that,” he said. “It censors me.”
Board Chair Shavonda Fernandez said in a statement that Board members should “feel empowered” to bring forward matters they believe are important, but it is ultimately up to the entire governing body to decide the next steps on matters following discussions of them.
“The request brought forward by Mr. Jafari is no different,” she said.
Victoria A. Ifatusin
Jafari was a staunch supporter of the Armstrong-Kennedy High School name change recently. He also went to Maggie Walker High School when it was created for Black students during segregation. The school had been abandoned since 1990, and later rebranded in 2001 and now operates as a public regional magnet school.
“What we do at our schools when we decide to dash the names … it really impacts the African American community at large,” he said. He added that while running for his seat, he met voters along the way who expressed dissatisfaction with the name change and felt excluded from the renaming process for the school. It was one of the reasons why he ran for the position.
If adopted, the proclamation would be read alongside other recognitions the Board announces at its monthly meetings, like student achievements, holidays and observances. Particularly, the notice would be read yearly every July.
“BE IT RESOLVED AND PROCLAIMED that the courage and sacrifice of Virginia Son George Wythe be forever remembered by RPS and Her Scholars; that His name remain enshrined in our lessons and upon the school built in His honor; that this Board act forthwith to restore and honor His legacy,” the document reads.
The proclamation, which Jafari states he is asking on behalf of his constituency and alumni of the former school, frequently refers to Wythe as “Virginia Son” and credits him for breaking from family custom of owning slaves and “advancing principals that supported a colorblind republic.”
Michael Phillips
George Wythe, the first signer of the seven signatures of Declaration of Independence from Virginia, was a lawyer, judge and the first law professor in the country teaching at the College of William & Mary. He served as a mentor to other founding fathers like Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe and John Marshall.
Wythe had actively owned slaves in his early life but later pushed for emancipation and abolition while still being a slave owner. After his wife died in 1787, he freed most of his slaves and owned none by the time of his death. His grand-nephew poisoned Wythe after he named an enslaved man a beneficiary in Wythe’s will.
Weldon Bradshaw
Jafari said he believes that students in RPS should know the full history of the Wythe. He added that it felt necessary to recognize him today, and ensure that he “is not lumped in with sedition and treason.”
“I feel driven to make sure that the story about the man gets out,” he said.
But Rizzi feels differently.
“I think it’s time we look forward to the future,” she said.
The Richmond School Board will also discuss accelerating the opening of the new Richmond High School for the Arts building at the Monday meeting, after flooding caused a premature end to the school year at the old building.
Contact Reporter Victoria A. Ifatusin at vifatusin@richmonder.org
