WINSTON-SALEM – The waves of political correctness emanating from the Left’s dogma are sweeping over more and more places. The Winston-Salem City Council voted Monday to change the name of the ‘Dixie Classic Fair’ essentially because it was a reminder of slavery. We’re guessing some history buffs would have a lot to say about that, but in an age of social justice the wrath of the Left’s warriors isn’t worth the cost.
From the Winston-Salem Journal:
“[…] Supporters of a change praised the council and opponents condemned the decision during a public-comment period that came after the vote had been taken. No public comments were taken in advance of the vote.
The fair has been called the Dixie Classic Fair since 1956. On Monday, more than 60 people packed the council chamber at City Hall, and a spillover crowd occupied a nearby conference room to watch on a video link. […]”
Even though supporters of the change packed the meeting hall, surveys conducted on the issue apparently showed a clear majority in opposition to changing the name. Some of those people spoke out against the change and the assertion that the word strictly relates to slavery, including dissenting city council members.
“Kris McCann, a speaker opposed to the change, said the vote would hurt those who wanted to keep the name: “A majority of the people spoke, and spoke loud and clear,” McCann said, referring to surveys that showed an overwhelming majority of people against changing the name. […]
[Council member John Larson] said that removing the name Dixie would neither get rid of the name as a regional marker, nor erase the shameful aspects of Southern history. He said the word Dixie used in so many aspects of Southern culture is “not a celebration of slavery.” […]
[Dan] Besse, who spoke first, said the name Dixie “has no special connection to Winston-Salem or Forsyth County.
“It is widely understood to refer to the American South generally, with all the associations that raises, from hospitality and sweet tea, to Jim Crow and the Confederacy. The meaning of the name shapes itself to the experience of the beholder.””
That last quote is from member Dan Besse, who voted for the name change. That one group’s sweet tea is another’s personal offense hardly seems like a good reason to tell the former how they can apply a regional term like ‘Dixie.’
Read more about what they may change the name to here.
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