(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- If you drive through Chicago's western suburbs you may see a yard sign proclaiming, "The People Want Virginia Moe Trailside."
It’s part of an ongoing petition drive to have the Hal Tyrrell Trailside Museum of Natural History in River Forest renamed for the late Virginia Moe, who spent decades as director of the institution.
As WBBM Newsradio first reported in August, that movement has thus far not been successful. Petitioners have complained that the Forest Preserves of Cook County was not complying with the state’s Open Meetings Act.
Now, there is a new twist -- over some old words.
Officials have reviewed a copy of a book that Moe wrote about Trailside in the 1940s, "Animal Inn.” In it, she named one of her characters, a skunk, "Tar Baby,” after a Disney character from the now-taboo film “Song of the South.”
The name is considered a racial slur, even though it may originally have meant something broader: a problem that gets stickier as you try to solve it.
Maggie Trevor, Cook County Commissioner for the 9th District, said the new information has changed her outlook about a name change for the museum.
"Although it may not have been perceived as offensive in 1948, it is quite offensive now,” she said of the term “Tar Baby.” “And I think it's just really tough to try and persuade people to change the name to Virginia Moe at this point from Hal Tyrrell."
Jane Morocco, who is leading the drive to have Trailside renamed for Moe, said the author shouldn’t be punished for using the term. Moe died in 1991 at age 83.
“You look up the word ‘tarbaby’ in the dictionary, it says 'a difficult problem that is only aggravated by attempts to solve it,’” said Morocco, who worked at Trailside as a youth. “Anyone that knows anything about wild animals, especially skunks, or knows anything about trying to rehab them, knows that it's a difficult problem. I think that's a perfect definition."
She added: “We all care about how we talk and treat other people. But a book that was written [decades ago] in good faith, really can't be compared to today's standards."
Trevor, the county board member, said she appreciates Moe’s wider legacy. But she notes late county official Hal Tyrrell had a legacy, too. The museum was named for him in 1990, the year he died.
Trevor, the county board member, said she appreciates Moe’s wider legacy. But she notes late county official Hal Tyrrell had a legacy, too. The museum was named for him in 1990, the year he died.
“We would still need to explain to his family basically why we're changing the name,” she said.
Listen to our new podcast Looped In: Chicago
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram