As much as it pains me to say, I currently attend J.Z. George High School in North Carrollton, Mississippi. Today, I am lending my voice to a growing call: to remove the name of James Z. George from our school building. The people of Mississippi have fought long and hard against prejudice and racial injustice. We took a historic step by removing the Confederate emblem from our state flag — and I believe we can take another by renaming our school.

James Z. George was a Confederate leader and a slave owner. His name does not reflect the values, diversity, or future of the students and community of Carroll County. Calling for the removal of his name is not an act of disrespect toward our roots — it’s a step toward building a more inclusive and just environment. Our school deserves a name that represents all of us.

Sincerely, A CCSD student