Hello, I'm a student from Henry Clay High School. In light of recent events I believe that Henry Clay High School should be renamed. Henry Clay was a Kentucky politician who owned at least 60 slaves throughout his lifetime and refused to set them free despite multiple attempts from the public to free his slaves. 

This name change is not intended to try and erase history, but rather to show that the modern city of Lexington does not respect the legacy that Henry Clay's decisions left on the city and nation as a whole. Henry Clay was an extremely influential politician during his time period. However, Henry Clay was a man who saw African Americans as property. While Henry Clay took steps to limit the spread of slavery overall throughout the United States, that was the furthest he ever went. The fact that he continued to own slaves throughout his life shows that he's a hypocrite and isn't deserving of the respect of Kentuckians in the 21st century. 

I'm not exactly sure what Henry Clay High School should be renamed to, but there are many different people that have genuinely fought for equality and freedom that deserve to have our respect today. 

Please, if you sign this petition, also take a moment to email people with the power to organize and change the name of Henry Clay High School. I believe emailing the principal, Mr. Paul Little, and the Superintendent of Fayette County Public Schools, Manny Caulk, are a good idea. 

Their respective emails are paul.little@fayette.kyschools.us and emmanuel.caulk@fayette.kyschools.us 

Thank you for reading my petition, and please share it with others that you know in order to make a change!