Sanitizing history...
Jan 31, 2013 | 573 views | 0 0 comments | 2 2 recommendations | email to a friend | print
It is apparent to me that there is an overabundance of White Guilt Syndrome or WGS in Moab these days.

Some of those who suffer from this horrible ailment have informed the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) of their suffering. They ask them to help with their cure. If only we could change the name of Negro Bill Canyon, they cried, for the WGS find the term “negro” degrading and racist.

The NAACP declined, saying the name should remain unchanged. Who could blame them? How would anyone know that Bill was a black man, especially since Grand County is whiter than Wonder Bread?

Ah, but the WGS people were not to be denied. Onward they march. After all, who is the NAACP to tell white folks what is best for people of color.

Changing the name from Negro Bill Canyon to William J. Grandstaff Canyon or any other variation of Bill’s name is the perfect way to sanitize and homogenize Grand County’s history. It is just too uncomfortable to contemplate the unvarnished truth.

I toured an old Southern plantation years ago, and it strikes me it could benefit from the politically correct crowd’s version of “new speak.” Black slave quarters should be called worker’s apartments and slave ships, African cruise boats. While we’re at it, how about changing the term concentration camps to gated communities. It’s always best to leave history unedited.

There’s another historical reason not to change the name. This is the place that the Sagebrush Rebellion (also called “Sage Hens” in some circles) came to an end on that infamous hot summer day of July 4, 1980.

This is important ­– because I read in a letter to the T-I, Jan 17, 2013 that Sage Hen ex-Grand County Commissioner Ray Tibbetts’ name should be considered as the new name for Negro Bill Canyon. I have to say that Sage Hen Ray Canyon does have a certain cachet, but no thanks. On this historical day, the Sage Hens lacked the Rocky Mountain oysters to run their D9 cat up Negro Bill Canyon and truly open the closed road. But they did photograph well.

Moving a few boulders is not a rebellion. This act of “defiance interuptus” toward the federal government’s road closure at Negro Bill Canyon was heralded by some as the shot heard around the West. It very well could have been if they had not fired blanks.

There is too much history in Negro Bill Canyon to change the name for one’s comfort level. Leave the name alone.

—J.D. Rogers

Applegate, Ore.

Share This Article |
similar stories

High Desert Hoofbeats Helping hands... | 7 days ago by Sena Taylor Hauer

Richard Neumann 1931 ~ 2014 | 28 days ago

Castle Valley Comments April 3, 2014 | 21 days ago by Ron Drake

Leaving their mark... | 12 hrs ago

Supplee named southeast Utah 2014 Community Artist in the Parks | 28 days ago


Copyright 2013 The Times-Independent. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

report abuse...

Express yourself:

We're glad to give readers a forum to express their points of view on issues important to this community. That forum is the “Letters to the Editor.” Letters to the editor may be submitted directly to The Times-Independent through this link and will be published in the print edition of the newspaper. All letters must be the original work of the letter writer – form letters will not be accepted. All letters must include the actual first and last name of the letter writer, the writer’s address, city and state and telephone number. Anonymous letters will not be accepted.

Letters may not exceed 400 words in length, must be regarding issues of general interest to the community, and may not include personal attacks, offensive language, ethnic or racial slurs, or attacks on personal or religious beliefs. Letters should focus on a single issue. Letters that proselytize or focus on theological debates will not be published. During political campaigns, The Times-Independent will not publish letters supporting or opposing any local candidate. Thank you letters are generally not accepted for publication unless the letter has a public purpose. Thank you letters dealing with private matters that compliment or complain about a business or individual will not be published. Nor will letters listing the names of individuals and/or businesses that supported a cause or event. Thank you letters about good Samaritan acts will be considered at the discretion of the newspaper.