Racial Slurs Redacted from JBMS Renaming Survey

A FOIA request dispute revealed previously redacted comments with racial slurs from a community survey.

Before we go further: this post includes quotes containing the n-word. I’ve obscured the vulgar language, but the subject matter may still be upsetting.

Two responses to the James Blair Middle School (JBMS) renaming survey used the n‑word in expressions of hate speech targeting Black people. These comments weren’t included in public reports of the survey results and only came to light when I pressed for unredacted records.

In March, the Williamsburg‑James City County (WJCC) division surveyed students, staff, parents, attendance zone residents, and community members about renaming JBMS due to Blair’s role in institutionalizing slavery in colonial Virginia. The school division compiled these survey results into a presentation which was shared with the volunteer renaming committee and the WJCC school board.

Curious, I filed a Freedom of Information Act request for the survey data spreadsheets. When I scanned the spreadsheets, I noticed two instances where the comment section read “(Comment redacted because of profane language).”

What I uncovered

I followed up with the school division to clarify what code citation justified these redactions. The Records Coordinator replied with the unredacted files, writing, “My apologies. I didn't notice that the file I released was the ‘redacted’ version.”

Here are the previously redacted comments (I have censored the comments, but you can download the survey data to see them uncensored):

• “Nahh, f*** the n****s.” — 8th‑grade student, James Blair Middle School (Student survey, response #328)

• “Rename it Black n***** Middle School.” —unidentified respondent, City of Williamsburg (Community survey, response #75)

What these remarks mean

Critics of renaming JBMS have focused on the estimated $92,334.50 price tag, trying to frame the debate around money rather than values. But these unredacted comments make it clear that finances are only part of the reason this school name change has been so fiercely resisted. Alongside budget worries voiced in good faith, racial hostility is an undeniable part of the opposition.

Even one racial slur would be one too many, but two people felt comfortable enough to use the n-word in response to this survey. These remarks cannot be dismissed as mere “profane language,” not when the issue at hand is fundamentally about race. They reflect a lingering resentment towards the notion that Black people deserve to be treated with dignity, a racial prejudice that can be traced back to James Blair.

Clearly, we have much more to do to address racism in our school community. Fortunately, we have a real opportunity right now to do just that by renaming James Blair Middle School. By choosing not to honor an enslaver, we would be taking a step towards racial healing and ensuring that every student in our school division feels like they belong.

What you can do to support the name change

• Email the school board before today’s work session
  Tuesday, May 6 • 4:30 p.m. • School Board Central Office
  You can find school board member emails here. Let them know you condemn these racist remarks and support renaming the school.

• Speak at the May 20 board meeting
  Tuesday, May 20 • 6:30 p.m. • James Blair Middle School
  Public comment is open and a final vote on the renaming is likely. A strong turnout will show that our community will not let racism win in this case.