I am a scientist who runs a research lab at the local medical school. I was born in Colombia and am half-white, half-latino. I moved to the US as a toddler and grew up in Texas, where my skin color could have made me the target of stereotypes and discrimination. However, I had the privilege of being raised by a white father who ran his own research lab, and he gave me a “white” surname and access to opportunities to enrich my academic pursuits and pave the way towards getting into graduate school. In college, I had essentially a full scholarship based not on need or race but on academic success, but I was still strongly encouraged to apply for other, minority-targeted scholarships, and I had mixed feelings when I obtained them — weren’t there others more in need? When I arrived in graduate school I was very sensitive about any hint that I received special attention because of my race. I wanted to be judged on merit alone, since I didn’t think I’d had to overcome any racial bias, and I began to believe that all scholarships and admissions decisions should be based on merit or economic status, never race. Despite the fact that I was aware of it, my privilege blinded me to the very real hardships of others. Only many years later did I begin to understand systemic racial bias and inequity, and I became aware of that blinding effect of privilege. (It’s not about me! It was never about me.) I learned of the origin of the St*pleton name only a few years ago, and I quickly realized that the apathy shared by many of my neighbors’ is a manifestation of that same blindness. With a full-time job and two small children, I have little time and energy to spare, but I am determined to do what I can to make this name change happen.

The first time I heard that Stapleton was named after a KKK mayor, about a decade ago, I quickly dismissed it. In 2015, when Black Lives Matter 5280 blanketed the neighborhood with banners and fliers, I felt we should change the name; but when officials said it was too difficult or that it wasn’t even really the name, I thought maybe we should put up a plaque about our inclusive values instead. I still didn’t get it. When a member of BLM5280 attended a neighborhood meeting and spoke about how harmful the name is, I was moved. I suggested to him that members of BLM5280 come to our homes and try to compel us to act. Still didn’t get it. In a society that is so protective of white feelings, we don’t always get it. I ask that you not be dismissive, that you not try to say the community is inclusive and welcoming without doing the real work, that you take responsibility and act instead of passing the buck. I hope you get it faster than I did.