There is a place in the Allegheny Range called Negro Mountain. It straddles the border between western Maryland and western Pennsylvania. A few years ago, a Maryland lawmaker was driving through the region and saw what I remember being a historical marker. A few days later, she issued a press release demanding that the name be changed. In his eyes, it was racist.

They want Alexander Ross removed from historical landmarks near the top of Galena. I guess Lewis and Clark aren’t far behind.

Then a larger picture emerged. One story goes that during the French and Indian War there was a skirmish and a black man fighting with the American colonists died valiantly. His fellow colonialists knew little about him but wanted to honor his service. Negro was a polite term for black Americans until 50 years ago. The name of the mountain is a story of unity in a country that is often sorely lacking in brotherhood. The state of Maryland replaced some road signs two years ago to appease those who wanted to rewrite American history.

It happens in Idaho

It’s a national trend. High Country News explains that this is happening here in Idaho. However, the goal is to erase what we would call “colonial” names. When was Idaho considered a colony of any sort? Sign warriors don’t care. They want Alexander Ross removed from historical landmarks near the top of Galena. I guess Lewis and Clark aren’t far behind. Oh I am sorry. High Country News says explorers are also a target.

It’s not like the native tribes are being ignored. That’s why we have Kootenai County.

A new story is being written

It’s a story that unfolds well below the public radar. Perhaps it is time to take some of the energy spent against critical race theory and turn it against the whitewashing of history. Can I say whitening or would that be considered …