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A National Discussion: Descendant of Robert E. Lee supports changing name of high school

The distant nephew of Lee, along with other Tylerites, believe this demand for change is calling for a much needed conversation.

A descendant of Confederate General Robert E. Lee is in favor of changing Tyler ISD's Robert E. Lee's High School name. The distant nephew of Lee, along with other Tylerites, believe this demand for change is calling for a much needed conversation.

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"Discussing it a little bit and being able to move the ball forward so that we can have reconciling discussion, things that help move our country together," panelist and minister DG Montavalo said.

"A part of that happening is dismantling systems of oppression and systemic racism," Pastor Anthony Smith said. 

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Dozens of people in Tyler are demanding Robert E. Lee High School's name to be changed. Many demonstrators protested for a new name. For 62 years, the name has held steady. No matter how many years have passed by, the name is a reminder of a Confederate general associated with slavery. 

"There seems to be lots of hints that we are moving forward as a community," Montavalo said.

A diverse group of panelist from across the U.S. joined the conversation via Facebook Live, including a distant relative of Lee, Rev. Robert Wright Lee IV. During the meeting, Rev. Lee called for Tyler ISD to have honest education taught in classrooms. 

"Do we want to teach our children the lost cause mentality, a pseudo historical reality that Robert E. Lee was kind to his slaves and fought for southern rights and state rights which he never finished his sentence, was to continue to enslave people," Rev. Lee said. "With that said, do we want to have that for our children? Is that something we value in our education system? Or do we want to be honest and say that that's not something that we want to celebrate on our school name?"

During the meeting, Rev. Lee said he feels Trude Lamb should not have to wear a name associated with owning slaves on her athletic jersey. 

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Panelists called attention to this history and discussed how to make a change and create history starting now. 

"All over the country it seems like we are heading into a kind of more cultural reckoning with our past and present moment around racial inequity and racial injustice," Smith said. 

"There [are] hints that our community might be becoming more accepting and welcoming people that are diverse and that is a good thing for Tyler," Montavalo said.

Tyler ISD Board Members will hold a special meeting to discuss name changes for both John Tyler and Robert E. Lee high schools, Thursday, at 6 p.m. at the Jim Plyler Instructional Complex.

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