I attended O.M. Roberts Elementary School as a kid, and I lived across the street from it for twelve years. I received a wonderful education there and met lifelong friends. For much of my life, simply hearing the name of my old elementary school filled me with fond memories. Then I learned who O.M. Roberts was. 

Later the 17th Governor of Texas, Oran Milo Roberts is perhaps best known for presiding over Texas' Secession Convention in 1861—which was held against the will of Governor Sam Houston. Here is a quote from that convention's Declaration of Causes:

We hold as undeniable truths that the governments of the various States, and of the confederacy itself, were established exclusively by the white race, for themselves and their posterity; that the African race had no agency in their establishment; that they were rightfully held and regarded as an inferior and dependent race, and in that condition only could their existence in this country be rendered beneficial or tolerable.

Allowing our beloved school to continue to bear the name of this man is a choice, one that will continue to impact the school's students — especially its Black students — for years to come. What messages do we want to send to those young minds? 

In terms of a new name, there are a tremendous amount of options. Three come to mind:
1) Tejano music legend Selena Quintanilla, an alumna of the school
2) Alford Bonner, beloved Rasco Middle School coach who served the BISD community for 19 years before his death in 2020
3) Any of the school's former principals, teachers, or staff members

As it turns out, in July of 2020, O.M. Roberts alumnus Phillip Ward gave a speech at a BISD Board of Trustees meeting, requesting that they change the school's name. As far as I know, the board has not taken any significant action toward changing the school's name. The goal of this petition is to show the board at a future meeting just how many community members and former students (of this school and others in BISD) support the name change.