What�s in a name?
Hi Ed - yes, it is not funny. However I do find a certain humor. Back in the early 1960's a bunch of do-gooders in the US Geological Survey who had control of the Board of Geographic Nomenclature made a concerted, and effective, effort to expunge what they perceived to be offensive historical place names. One of the most noticeable landmarks along the Overland Trail north of Laramie was obvious to travelers, as was their name for it: Horse Co** (read ck) Peak. That became Horse Mtn. (or Horse Peak, I don't remember which � does not matter). The Pi** (read ss) Ants Basin of NW Colorado (as known by all the early settlers) and already in the geological literature, became the Piceance Basin. And many other similar examples. More in accord with the current nastygram(s) that have been sent to you, a fellow graduate student in New Mexico did a wonderful job of describing the details of an important section of sedimentary rocks east of Alamogordo. This established the type section for this geologic unit, to be referenced forever in the literature. There was no published name for the canyon on the topographic maps, but it did have a local name known to all in the area. A black sheepherder had lived and died there. He was honest, hard working, and generous. He was very well respected by the local ranchers and townspeople, who referred to the canyon as Ni**er Ed Canyon. There was no malice or intended racial slur. Indeed, if anything, there was a certain respect implied in naming the canyon after such a good and honest man. My friend used the accepted local name for the canyon. He finished his dissertation, had it typed with all the required carbon copies, and was ready to graduate and publish. The final hurdle was his defense of the dissertation. That turned, unexpectedly, into an incredible and rather nasty scene. An older US Geological Survey geologist, who was very involved with the Board of Geographic Nomenclature expunging efforts, was so offended by his using this name, that his defense was thoroughly sidetracked. It certainly made life easier for my friend in the defense itself, but ended up costing him a lot of time and cash. This was in the age before word processors and the entire thesis and all the required carbon copies had to be professionally re-typed, and the maps and illustrations re-drafted and reproduced. So I definitely agree with you. When they were initially named the Redskins, there was to intent of disrespect to the Native Americans. In fact, it was an honor to their toughness and bravery. This discussion brings to my mind the problem of distinguishing between names on cave walls. When is it history, and when is it graffiti? I think you have raised an important point and I am sorry that it has brought you some grief. It is unfortunate that self-centered hot-heads do not possess a decent sense of history and therefore compose off-the-cuff nastygrams. Then they actually SEND them! DirtDoc To unsubscribe, send an e-mail to mailto:[email protected] with the following message--unsubscribe cavetex. For help and information go to www.cavetex.net. List administrator: mailto:[email protected]
