Eliminating Lee and Jackson at St Christopher's School

(Courtesy of SLMNews 'Blog)

'A 95-year tradition at the heart of St. Christopher's School is changing because of its association with two Confederate generals from Virginia.

The private Episcopal school in Richmond is changing the names of its elementary literary societies from the Lees and Jacksons to the Chamberlayne Reds and Chamberlayne Grays in honor of school founder Churchill Gibson Chamberlayne. The school's colors are red and gray. The changes take effect next school year.

In the school's letter Wednesday to parents and alumni about the name change, Headmaster Charley Stillwell said that in recent years, "history has attached a stigma of prejudice and intolerance to some individuals and symbols connected with the Confederacy, making some of our internal and external community feel uncomfortable and marginalized."'