PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The community around Philadelphia’s Chester A. Arthur Elementary School is backing a student-led move to rename the school after opera singer Marian Anderson.
Chester A. Arthur stepped into the role as president of the United States in 1881 after the assassination of James Garfield. He had no strong ties to Philadelphia but the elementary school at 20th and Catharine streets bears his name.
Principal Mary Libby says several years ago, her students learned more about him, like that he had signed the Chinese Exclusion Act, which restricted Chinese immigrants from entering the country for nearly a decade.
“And, particularly, when they realized that piece of information, they became quite concerned because we really value our diversity in this school,” Libby explained.
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The students then launched a movement to change the name of the school, and 10-year-old Zareen Ali, who’s going into sixth grade, says the name “Marian Anderson Neighborhood Academy” was selected. She says she likes the choice of an iconic opera star with local roots.
“Because she did many great things and she’s, like, a great person and very inspiring,” Ali said.
“Now it’s after somebody that’s, like, so much better and also, you know, that really was, like, in this neighborhood.”
Libby added that Anderson, who “really and truly is the heartbeat of our neighborhood,” grew up half a block away from the school.
The Philadelphia Board of Education is expected to vote on the name change on June 29.
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