1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

The recent proposal to restore Confederate names to U.S. military bases represents a deeply concerning effort to revive symbols of oppression and injustice. The decision to remove these names was a long-overdue recognition that honoring individuals who took up arms against the United States to preserve the abhorrent practice of slavery is antithetical to our nation's professed ideals of liberty and equality. Reinstating these names would be a regressive step that undermines efforts toward an inclusive military and society. While some may argue for preserving "tradition," the legacies honored by Confederate names are ones of treason, white supremacy, and the dehumanization of African Americans. True tradition should uplift the diverse individuals who have honorably served and sacrificed for our nation. Retaining or restoring these names alienates service members of color and perpetuates the racist ideology that the Confederacy fought to uphold. The impacts transcend symbolism; such actions signal an institutional unwillingness to fully reckon with America's oppressive past and present. They denigrate the dignity and patriotism of generations of Black service members. Our military should represent the best of American values, not our historical transgressions. I urge your office to reject any efforts to reinstate these offensive symbols and instead advocate for names that unite rather than divide us.