Rename Fort Hood after Roy Benavidez
Rename Fort Hood after Roy Benavidez
The Issue
Fort Hood, a U.S. Army post located in Killeen, Texas, is named after John Bell Hood, a former Confederate general. Despite Hood’s successes in battle, the fact remains that as a commander for the Confederate States of America John Bell Hood’s actions were treasonous towards the United States of America.
The idea of renaming bases named after Confederate leaders was discussed in 2015 after white supremacist Dylann Roof massacred black churchgoers in South Carolina and arose once again in 2017 after the neo-Nazi and white supremacist “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville that ended in violence and bloodshed. Recent events involving police use of force and the deaths of African Americans--George Floyd and Rayshard Brooks to name a few--have many Americans again asking: “Why are some military bases named after men who were traitors to their country and who held racist beliefs?” The African American community is especially sensitive to this issue, as these institutions can be painful reminders of a history of oppression.
I have heard many say that renaming bases named after Confederate leaders is “erasing history.” As a history teacher, I strongly believe that renaming a base could never erase a person’s contribution to history. I will continue to teach the contributions of individuals to history, both positive and negative, so that my students will have all the facts they need to decide how they will view history – regardless of who military bases are named after. Instead of erasing history, I believe that renaming certain institutions, will communicate to people of all walks of life that we, as Americans, will not glorify the actions of individuals that we collectively believe do not reflect the values we hold as a people.
I believe Fort Hood should be renamed Fort Benavidez, in honor of someone I believe led a life worthier of such an honor. Native Texan and Medal of Honor recipient Roy Benavidez not only exhibited courage on the battlefield but also became an advocate for those he believed were being treated unfairly and helped to enact change on their behalf. Below are links that detail Benavidez’ exploits that illustrate why he is deserving of having Fort Hood renamed after him:
474
The Issue
Fort Hood, a U.S. Army post located in Killeen, Texas, is named after John Bell Hood, a former Confederate general. Despite Hood’s successes in battle, the fact remains that as a commander for the Confederate States of America John Bell Hood’s actions were treasonous towards the United States of America.
The idea of renaming bases named after Confederate leaders was discussed in 2015 after white supremacist Dylann Roof massacred black churchgoers in South Carolina and arose once again in 2017 after the neo-Nazi and white supremacist “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville that ended in violence and bloodshed. Recent events involving police use of force and the deaths of African Americans--George Floyd and Rayshard Brooks to name a few--have many Americans again asking: “Why are some military bases named after men who were traitors to their country and who held racist beliefs?” The African American community is especially sensitive to this issue, as these institutions can be painful reminders of a history of oppression.
I have heard many say that renaming bases named after Confederate leaders is “erasing history.” As a history teacher, I strongly believe that renaming a base could never erase a person’s contribution to history. I will continue to teach the contributions of individuals to history, both positive and negative, so that my students will have all the facts they need to decide how they will view history – regardless of who military bases are named after. Instead of erasing history, I believe that renaming certain institutions, will communicate to people of all walks of life that we, as Americans, will not glorify the actions of individuals that we collectively believe do not reflect the values we hold as a people.
I believe Fort Hood should be renamed Fort Benavidez, in honor of someone I believe led a life worthier of such an honor. Native Texan and Medal of Honor recipient Roy Benavidez not only exhibited courage on the battlefield but also became an advocate for those he believed were being treated unfairly and helped to enact change on their behalf. Below are links that detail Benavidez’ exploits that illustrate why he is deserving of having Fort Hood renamed after him:
474
The Decision Makers
Share this petition
Petition created on June 19, 2020