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Newsjock

(11,733 posts)
Wed Aug 5, 2015, 11:18 PM Aug 2015

With NAACP support, Utah county decides not to rename Negro Bill Canyon

Source: Salt Lake Tribune

Officials have rebuffed a new push to change the name of a southern Utah canyon that's offensive to some but a point of historical pride for the state's largest NAACP chapter.

The Grand County Council voted 4-3 Tuesday to keep the name Negro Bill Canyon, which was dubbed for a black cowboy whose cattle grazed there in the 1870s, councilwoman Mary McGann said.

... Jeanetta Williams, president of the Salt Lake City chapter of the NAACP, opposed the effort. She says the name isn't offensive and is instead a point of pride because it makes clear the canyon is named for a black historical figure.

... The canyon is a popular hiking spot in Moab, which attracts tourists from all over the world to its unique red-rock landscapes in nearby national parks. The canyon features one of the longest natural arches but its name makes tourists and locals uncomfortable, McGann said.

Read more: http://www.sltrib.com/home/2808812-155/utah-to-keep-controversial-canyon-name

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With NAACP support, Utah county decides not to rename Negro Bill Canyon (Original Post) Newsjock Aug 2015 OP
History was not politiclly correct or comfortable. Agnosticsherbet Aug 2015 #1
YES, but now atticks on jefferson. blah blah blah. now, who was he? pansypoo53219 Aug 2015 #5
The NAACP is good with this. Agnosticsherbet Aug 2015 #6
What we call a place today is no longer just history. yellowcanine Aug 2015 #9
Longer article with more details... PoliticAverse Aug 2015 #2
This message was self-deleted by its author jberryhill Aug 2015 #3
Good on the county for consulting on this one jberryhill Aug 2015 #4
Negro Bill Canyon - UT JustAnotherGen Aug 2015 #7
His name is William Granstaff. Why don't they use that? yellowcanine Aug 2015 #8

Agnosticsherbet

(11,619 posts)
6. The NAACP is good with this.
Thu Aug 6, 2015, 10:28 AM
Aug 2015

So I think people uncomfortable with the name should read Tom Sawyer and go hiking.

yellowcanine

(35,692 posts)
9. What we call a place today is no longer just history.
Thu Aug 6, 2015, 11:11 AM
Aug 2015

The man's name is William Granstaff. They could call it Bill Granstaff Canyon and still honor the history but give the man the respect and dignity he deserves.

Response to Newsjock (Original post)

yellowcanine

(35,692 posts)
8. His name is William Granstaff. Why don't they use that?
Thu Aug 6, 2015, 11:05 AM
Aug 2015

Bill Granstaff Canyon would be more respectful and still keep the history, it seems to me. Particularly since "Negro Bill" was changed from "Nigger Bill."

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