Sandy Lydon’s recent articles on the Cabrillo College name change were informative and represented the voice of a majority of Santa Cruz County residents.
The Trustees mean well, but wow, $400,000 to $600,000 to change Cabrillo’s name when they have only raised $2,500 at this point? Trustee Rachael Spencer was quoted, saying, “I don’t think a Trustee can vote on something that doesn’t have the funds.” Those are words of a responsible trustee. Dr. Wetstein said there are some grants available for name changes. But will those grants provide enough for this enormous cost?
I attended the online forums in September 2021, and Mas Hashimoto, Watsonville High History teacher, attended as well. Mas, who endured a Japanese internment camp in WWII, spoke out firmly against the name change. He experienced racism and oppression, yet he felt that the Cabrillo name should remain and be used as an instrument of instruction.
Please express your view on the name change to the Cabrillo Trustees. Attend their meetings and/or, write to them before Aug. 7.
Brandon Kett
Watsonville
There is no need for a name change, especially since the funding is not available.
I agree that Cabrillo College should continue to retain its original name. Lots of us graduated from there and still feel the same.
amazing that Cabrillo trustees disparagingly referred to old white newspaper readers as the only ones opposed to the name change. I also find it disrespectful to the taxpayer when half a million dollars is referred to as not much money. This not white oldish newspaper reader will remember that next time they ask for bond money
If they are so blind as to, through this scandalous renaming, cause a rift between Cabrillo and the community, the college will lose just as much as will the people who enthusiastically supported her all these decades.
Teach, don’t try to cover up. No one who feels like they or their ancestors have been wronged is going to suddenly feel better with a name change. I would imagine concentrating on making life better for students looking into building housing, something creative and affordable is a better use of time, energy and money and would be appreciated by many.
There has already been too much emphasis placed on this issue that solves nothing. We are surrounded by the Cabrillo name, businesses, streets, buildings and people that have that name. Should all be changed, should people be ashamed of their name? Time to move on.
As a former Cabrillo College student and history alum from BYU and GWC, I’d make my mark on the side of keeping the college’s name as it has been for more than sixty years from 1959 to the present. Not to mention all the past students and graduates of “Cabrillo College” who have affinity to that name, or the lack of and waste of funding for the change—to the proponents of the change—many worthwhile historians of our American Indian Tribes will tell you that atrocities have been carried out by both the European and Native peoples who came to this land or lived here “first.” Yes, some of our European ancestors by their policies and as a result of warfare drove them off their lands and, in that sense, have committed “the greater wrong.” But remember, the Tribes carried out equivalent atrocities against their neighboring tribes for generations, even enslaving one another, before and after the Europeans arrived. We don’t talk about that part of history. No name is or would be perfect or without some controversy attached if we look deep enough. Steven A. Wilden
I don’t agree with changing the name of Cabrillo Community College. Cabrillo has made it’s mark in the minds of residents here on the west coast and up and down the state. Cabrillo College is a very fine college and ranks in the upper third of Community Colleges in the state. Since 1959, 64 years ago, the local people have been supporting the expansion of programs and buildings through personal donations and yes, bond measures. It has been a tough fight and a labor of love for many. Cabrillo College has been adaptive to change, as it must. To take the risk of Cabrillo College losing it’s footing is irresponsible.
I don’t agree with changing the name of Cabrillo Community College. Cabrillo has made it’s mark in the minds of residents here on the west coast and up and down the state. Cabrillo College is a very fine college and ranks in the upper third of Community Colleges in the state. Since 1959, 64 years ago, the local people have been supporting the expansion of programs and buildings through personal donations and yes, bond measures. It has been a tough fight and a labor of love for many. Cabrillo College has been adaptive to change, as it must. To take the risk of Cabrillo College losing it’s footing is irresponsible.
I also voted NO on the citizens survey regarding the name change. It seems that the majority of the trustees ignore what voters want. I will stop donating to Cabrillo if they force through a name change and will vote NO on any future bond issues. Enough already. I also graduated from Cabrillo back in the 60’s.