Connecting Fairfax City's Past and Present to Build a More Equitable and Inclusive Future

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On July 12, 2022, City Council voted to change the names of 14 streets as recommended by the Stakeholder Advisory Group. Watch the meeting(External link).

UPDATE July 12, 2022: City Council voted to change 14 street names. Watch the meeting(External link). If you would like to submit names for consideration, please complete the survey

Connecting Fairfax City for All

The City of Fairfax recognizes there is strength in diversity and acknowledges the need for a broader community conversation around the issues of racial and social equity, systemic racism, symbolism, and identity.

Confederate Lane and Plantation Pkwy signsNomenclature in the City of Fairfax
Evolving views about who and what should be memorialized in public spaces and on public land present an opportunity for the City of Fairfax to examine its nomenclature. Confederate-related street and place names, historical markers and monuments, and elements in the city seal will be discussed in the context of how these symbols reflect the City Council’s goals of inclusivity and building community.

City residents are invited to participate in thought-provoking conversations that connect current realities with the city’s historical past. Ultimately, through a series of listening and learning opportunities, the goal is to connect the present to a more equitable and inclusive future for all city residents, businesses, and visitors.

“This initiative, endorsed by the City Council, holds great promise for our city residents to engage with each other with respect, compassion, and an openness to learning and gaining a greater understanding of each other,” said City of Fairfax Mayor David Meyer. “This is an opportunity for all of us to discern what actions we may take to create a preferred future that is inclusive and more just and equitable.”

Partnership with George Mason University
To accomplish this work, the city has partnered with the George Mason University Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution. Working with the Carter School, the city has outlined a process to listen to community voices, engage the community in learning sessions and structured, facilitated discussions, and will form a diverse working group to make recommendations on action items and identify areas for further community discussion. City Council will consider the recommendations in 2021 before making decisions regarding the city’s nomenclature.

Please explore this project site, drop a pin on the map(External link), share your ideas(External link), tell your story, or leave a comment. Click on the social media icons to share with others.

UPDATE July 12, 2022: City Council voted to change 14 street names. Watch the meeting(External link). If you would like to submit names for consideration, please complete the survey

Connecting Fairfax City for All

The City of Fairfax recognizes there is strength in diversity and acknowledges the need for a broader community conversation around the issues of racial and social equity, systemic racism, symbolism, and identity.

Confederate Lane and Plantation Pkwy signsNomenclature in the City of Fairfax
Evolving views about who and what should be memorialized in public spaces and on public land present an opportunity for the City of Fairfax to examine its nomenclature. Confederate-related street and place names, historical markers and monuments, and elements in the city seal will be discussed in the context of how these symbols reflect the City Council’s goals of inclusivity and building community.

City residents are invited to participate in thought-provoking conversations that connect current realities with the city’s historical past. Ultimately, through a series of listening and learning opportunities, the goal is to connect the present to a more equitable and inclusive future for all city residents, businesses, and visitors.

“This initiative, endorsed by the City Council, holds great promise for our city residents to engage with each other with respect, compassion, and an openness to learning and gaining a greater understanding of each other,” said City of Fairfax Mayor David Meyer. “This is an opportunity for all of us to discern what actions we may take to create a preferred future that is inclusive and more just and equitable.”

Partnership with George Mason University
To accomplish this work, the city has partnered with the George Mason University Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution. Working with the Carter School, the city has outlined a process to listen to community voices, engage the community in learning sessions and structured, facilitated discussions, and will form a diverse working group to make recommendations on action items and identify areas for further community discussion. City Council will consider the recommendations in 2021 before making decisions regarding the city’s nomenclature.

Please explore this project site, drop a pin on the map(External link), share your ideas(External link), tell your story, or leave a comment. Click on the social media icons to share with others.

Comments

Conversations about history, systemic racism, symbolism, and identity are difficult and complex. They can trigger passionate responses. As community members ask questions, share concerns, and engage in collective introspection, we encourage civil and respectful discourse. 

After you post your comment, please explore stories and ideas shared by other community members. Drop a pin on the map to identify areas for further study. 

On July 12, 2022, City Council voted to change the names of 14 streets as recommended by the Stakeholder Advisory Group. Watch the meeting(External link).

If you're so offended by a street name, then don't drive on that street. Or preferably move away.

Tancred of Antioch over 2 years ago

We are proud to continue to support Council members Harmon and Yi who considered the actual residents of Mosby Woods in their votes! Thank you for at least being thoughtful in considering that some streets should not have even been on the list for changing such as Ranger and Scarlet.

Mosby Woods Resident over 2 years ago

Removed by moderator.

Fxcityresident over 2 years ago

All of you who want to change names of schools and roads are a bunch of whiners. Don't you have more important things to worry about. All of these residents and businesses now have to change their address on everything. How about spending that money on things that actually matter like schools and first responders. It's always a group of whimpy outcasts that cry the loudest. Before you go changing street names you need to change the name of your city and county. Lord FAIRFAX is very offensive and people of color. And any street that is associated with George Mason holy cow he was the worst slave holder. George Mason needs to go. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson all of them. Rename them all. Will that make you feel better? Will that make you feel self righteous?

Overit over 2 years ago

I think this is wonderful!
Here are some of my ideas for better names:

Manahoac (After the Indigenous people from whom this land was taken)
Catharine Coleman (A NASA astronaut who attended Woodson HS)
Melba Roy (A NASA "Computer" - think Hidden Figures - from Fairfax, VA)
Pierre Thuot (A NASA astronaut who attend Fairfax HS)

I'm glad that we are reconsidering the names of streets etc. that are named after confederate figures- I think that we should also look into all of the instances where "Ashby" is as well- the pond, the streets, etc. as Ashby was a confederate general as well.

AerQ over 2 years ago

What a shame that a small, albeit vocal minority think by renaming roads will erase history. I suppose this plan will work depending on what political party is in charge. I think Fairfax City priorities are askew. Changing street names is not going to improve the quality of life or reduce crime, only optics.

Charles over 2 years ago

To me it is good to change the names. The names,,,, are bad.

Mitch Frendly over 2 years ago

Fairfax City - Wasting our tax dollars since 1805!

Mike m over 2 years ago

Ranger road? Are you serious? You people have lost your minds. 27 years in my house. Do you have any idea what it is going to take to make this change? And why? So your guilt ridden person feels better about yourself. Confederate I get, but don't necessarily agree with you. But Ranger? Get over yourselves and worry about the reasons we put you there to spend our tax money on.

Nothappyatall over 2 years ago

What a joke. That really helps no one. Take that money and put it towards something that actually makes a difference. A lot of other societies have attempted to erase history and that really seems to work well....if you want to destroy a country......

Mike m over 2 years ago

Leave the streets names alone, are you going to change history also. Changing the names just stupid and ignorant.
History can NOT be changed! You forget your past your are damned to repeat it.

Marie over 2 years ago

Please spend my tax dollars on fixing roads and lights. I'd rather pay for police, firefighter, and teacher salaries.

Mary Simonds over 2 years ago

Absurd. Political correctness run amuck. Laughable. This attempt to erase history will surely boomerang at some point.

Gdl over 2 years ago

When will it end? I understand that the names can be offensive to some. I am also a Civil War historian. The war tore our nation apart and we never fully recovered after the fighting ended. While I agree naming street for those who lost the war should occur. I find renaming roads such as Ranger Road, Raider Road, Scarlet Road and Singleton Circle ridiculous. Why waste money?

TASH over 2 years ago

I am against name change of Ranger Road. This is nice simple name of street. Does not have any associations with slavery, civil war etc. what’s wrong with word ‘ranger’? Now we will have to change a bunch of documents because of this initiative like we dont have any other important things to do! Leave Ranger rd as it is!

Annoyingbunny over 2 years ago

I hope we can also get rid of "democrat" party name. It's incomprehensible to continue to use that name which supported slavery, Jim Crow laws and segregation alongside confederates - we even changed our football team. All the democrat board members must renounce their party and position. As an immigrant, I am so offended to see elected representative still represent that racist party.

ramani007 over 2 years ago

We should name a street after every country President Obama drone bombed. There are more than enough.

Marcellus over 2 years ago

I am so pleased that you will be renaming Confederate street names. These names do not reflect who we are as a society. I recommend renaming one of the street names after Barack Obama.

Daniel Zim over 2 years ago

If you think we need to rename streets that are named after confederate persons, you're going to have to find a new name for your city as well. Lord Fairfax owned slaves.

kimosullivan over 2 years ago

Removed by moderator.

Marcellus over 2 years ago