As a parent of minority children it is important that all San Angelo area children feel welcome and inclusive at their local public schools provided through the SAISD. The school built in 1949 has donned the name of the Confederate Commander who fought for slavery during the American Civil War. Robert E. Lee believed African Americans were subordinate to his own racial identity and had slaves himself. More than 70 years later many students continue to walk through those doors, entering their teenage years only to learn about the atrocities of the American Civil War in history class. Recent events have shed light on the racial disparities black men and women continue to face on a daily basis years after the American Civil War and Civil Rights Movement. It is disrespectful and insensitive to force children to attend a public school named after a man responsible for promoting and fighting against these African American Men and Women. This man was treasonous and promoted hateful and oppressive ideology that should not be celebrated or confused with patriotism. The SAISD should reconsider the name of the Middle School to reflect something more positive, peaceful and inclusive.