Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for Dec. 15, 2020
History teachers applaud school name change
Recently, the Marin IJ published an advertisement against the name change of High School 1327. The ad, paid for by an organization whose website does not identify any individuals as members, presents a series of “facts” about Francis Drake, supported by the ideas of one amateur historian and a single Drake biographer.
As history teachers, including myself, David Gutfeld, Kathleen McCormick, Michael Rawlins and Raquel Nelson, we are gratified by the group’s desire to create a safe and inclusive school, a goal we share. We disagree, however, about the history of Drake and the glorification of that history in the name of our school.
We study history to understand who we are. History shapes our beliefs and our decisions, and it involves examining multiple perspectives. We believe that students need to understand the patterns of history that shape the human story. They also need to understand how to research deeply, think critically, and recognize when information is supported by insufficient expertise.
During the Sept. 10 video conference input session, several former students expressed dismay and shame at discovering, after graduating, that Drake was a slave trader. We should be teaching students that slavery was not a historical aberration but a foundational element that people of color have reckoned with in their daily lives for 400 years.
It is time for White people to reckon with it now, and for us to help all of our students know that their history is recognized. It is time to stop perpetuating the mythology of White European colonialism and its symbolic figures, including Drake.
On Nov. 19, the Drake Leadership Council voted to change the name of the school. This was the right decision. We look forward to continuing work on anti-racist policies, behaviors and curriculum in our school community. The renaming of our high school is one small but critical part of that work.
— Dan Freeman, San Anselmo
Drake’s positive attributes must see light of day
In a recent letter published by the Marin IJ, author Martin Russell writes, “there’s much about (Sir Francis) Drake that still needs to be shown the light of day.” That is something I fully agree with.
Let’s begin with Russell’s reference to ship’s officer Thomas Doughty: “Beheading a fellow sailor like Thomas Doughty, simply for disagreeing with him on a demotion.” I don’t consider this to be accurate. According to historical reports I read, Doughty, the secretary of Sir Christopher Hatton (Lord Chancellor of Queen Elizabeth II), organized a mutiny against Drake’s plan to enter the Pacific Ocean to raid Spanish ports and ships along the west coast of South America. The execution was voted on by the ship’s officers to keep order and was favorably reviewed upon Drake’s return to England.
Russell’s comment that Drake had been “participating in the slaughter of more than 400 men, women and children on Rathlin, Ireland” is also misleading. My readings tell me that Drake was sent only as part of a naval troop transport and argued for clemency to let those remaining leave the fortress in safety.
As a young, junior officer in his cousin John Hawkins’ merchant fleet, Drake had no say during the planning that resulted in his brief involvement in Hawkins’ short-lived slave trade. It is my belief that, soon after, Drake became a champion for the freedom and respect of Black and Indigenous people worldwide.
Saying that “his attitude seems to have improved” when he met the Miwok people here in Marin shows a misunderstanding of Drake’s true character.
When chosen to be a soldier by the queen, Drake did his duty. With those he came in direct contact with, he was consistently fair and even-tempered. It’s important to understand both the details and the context of Drake’s actions to begin to understand the man himself.
— Duane Van Dieman, Mill Valley
Trump’s true legacy will be his appointment of judges
Ben Ballard’s letter to the editor published in the Marin IJ called the Trump administration a “disturbing legacy of mistrust.” Ballard needs introspect. He should reflect on who the violators of our trust are.
After the Democrats’ disgusting behavior for five years, I will not reach across the aisle and certainly won’t trust them. Trump’s legacy is the three Supreme Court justices who love the unborn and the more than 200 federal judges he appointed.
— Robert A. Casper Sr., San Rafael