The decision by The Phoenix City Council to rename streets whose names were considered ‘offensive’ or ‘derogatory’ is a welcomed move.

This decision to change the street names came as a result of #public outcry across the nation to do away with monuments and statues regarded as derogatory or offensive. The city has been very democratic in making the changes. The citizens were offered a chance to contribute on the matter through submission of comments and participation in open forums. "For the name of the street to change, the people who live on Robert E. Lee Street should have the opportunity to choose what the new name will be," Burgis, a businessman in the city, says. This is a matter that is long overdue and should have been dealt with a long time ago.  

"We need to show our fellow black Phoenicians that we care about them and they shouldn't have to drive down a road seeing something so offensive to them, and a part of our history," said a local resident at the front of this issue. The Council made a noble step by approving the renaming of Robert E. Lee and Squaw Peak Drive streets.

The question may be “what is in a name that makes it offensive or derogatory?” Well, the word “squaw” is a demeaning word for a Native American woman. Native American women, the group targeted by the name has been determined about renaming the street. The meaning of the word “squaw” has been a topic of debate between Historians and Native Americans. Some argue that it's a derogatory word for female anatomy, while others say it's merely a way of referring to Native women. Nevertheless, the word received a new meaning as white settlers used it as a pejorative. Regardless, any and all of the above reasons are enough that the name should be changed.  

On the other hand, Robert E. Lee was a commander in the Confederate Army, which represents historical institutions of racism and slavery. Therefore, a street named after him would raise dark memories regarding slavery. This is what Paul, a protester said during one of the protests against the street name, “I don’t want my grandchildren asking later on, ‘why is this monster’s name still up in the city? After all the atrocities he's committed, how come they're honoring him?" 

The process of renaming unpleasant street names and monuments should gain momentum to ensure that we are not celebrating dark moments of our history through street names.