CMS To Rename School In Honor Of Civil Rights Activist

CHARLOTTE, NC — Barringer Academic Center in Charlotte will soon be renamed in honor of a local civil rights activists, becoming the second school in the district to shed a name associated with racist connections and ties to the Confederacy, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools said Wednesday.

The facility will be renamed in honor of Charles H. Parker, who was a Charlotte-area activist who helped build the West Boulevard community, CMS said.

“We are proud to rename this school for Mr. Parker, who was born into slavery and who went on to build schools, establish churches and provide affordable housing in the African-American community,” Elyse Dashew, CMS Board chair, said in a statement. “His legacy in public education in Charlotte, as well as his visionary civic activism, will serve as an inspiration to students and the school and our district as a whole.”

Barringer was built off West Boulevard in the 1950s, and was named to honor the Confederate general father of Osmond L. Barringer, who donated the land and who also led a white supremacy parade, WSOC reported.

Members of the Barringer family were also advocates of "scientific racism," CMS said.

“We do not want our schools to intentionally or unintentionally demonstrate values that our district does not support,” CMS Superintendent Earnest Winston said. “As our nation continues the journey toward full equality for all citizens, we think these names and symbols are important.”

The school will be renamed at the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year.

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• Vance High School To Shed Name Honoring Confederate General
• CMS Renames High School Honoring Confederate General