This Temple student is petitioning to rename Taney Street because it was named after a racist
‘The street is currently named after a public figure who symbolizes hatred’
After the protests in Charlottesville, statues symbolizing the hate our country fought against have been torn down or are being petitioned to be removed.
Temple student Joseph Basile, created his own petition to rename Taney Street in Philadelphia. The street is currently named after a public figure who symbolizes hatred.
In Basile's petition, he argues to rename Taney Street, named after Justice Roger B. Taney, who in 1857 penned the Dred Scott Decision, which upheald slavery, allowing slave owners to take their slaves West, and declared that African Americans could not become U.S. citizens
"I was reading through some case law when I realized that Taney Street was named after Justice Roger B. Taney," said Basile. "This was particularly disturbing to me considering he was the author of what is known colloquially in law as 'the worst decision in American legal history.'"
Basile is petitioning to rename the street after Mo’ne Davis, the first female to win a Little League World Series game. Basile believes the street should be renaed after someone who's worth praising from Philadelphia.
"I remembered being captivated by Mo'Ne Davis as she mowed down batters in 2014 and became the first female to win a Little League World Series game," Basile said. "I have always thought that Taney Street was peculiar, especially for it to be in Philadelphia, let alone anywhere."
Joseph G. Basile
Basile said he thinks students should be aware of the name change because Temple is a great city and "we should be conscious of how we're refusing to revere slavery sympathizers as a city."
Basile credits his petition to Councilmember Gym's push to remove the Rizzo statue, as well as the nation's progressing view on the confederacy.
"We're in a great time of change, it's awesome to see how we as a nation are taking a critical eye to analyzing historical figures and how we revere them."
After the protests in Charlottesville, Virginia, students from across the nation have taken a stance against the racism continuously occurring in our country.
Hundreds of Student Body Presidents and student leaders united together condemning the racist behavior, making it the first time student leaders have come together in such a large display of unity.
You could sign Basile's petition here to rename Taney Street.