The Squire
VOLUME II ISSUE i
Summer 2018
ARCHBISHOP RIORDAN HIGH SCHOOL
SF Supervisors vote to rename Phelan Avenue By Adrian Gonzales
St. Philip School, Grade 7 In June, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to change the name of Phelan Avenue, where Archbishop Riordan High School is located, to Frida Kahlo Way, despite opposition from neighbors. The reason behind the name change is that the son of the man the street is named after, James D. Phelan (San Francisco Mayor from 1897-1902), was a known racist, especially toward people of Asian descent. Those who wanted the name changed said that James Phelan was the father of a racist, and lost respect because of his son. Kahlo was a Mexican painter known for a style called surrealism. She was married to the artist Diego Rivera, who was famous for his murals. The Pan American Unity Mural is displayed in the Diego Rivera Theater at City College and includes Kahlo. Although the supervisors voted unanimously to change the name, some residents do not agree. In the May issue of The Crusader, Phelan Avenue resident Bonnie White said, “I left the meeting feeling like what the residents wanted didn’t matter. It was a done deal, and Frida Kahlo was the new name.”
Photo by Steven Rissotto ’20 Phelan Avenue will soon be renamed Frida Kahlo Way. Riordan Principal Tim Reardon late to change, saying, “The San is opposed to the change, and Francisco Board of Supervisors said, “It would have been really and the activists they represent cool to have the street named are a powerful monoculture when after a Riordan man like Tyrone it comes to an issue like this. It’s McGraw (an alumnus who died hard to win a fight like that.” last year) or Bob Dalton ’61 (an Also in The Crusader, Tomi English teacher who recently Cunningham, a resident in favor retired.) of the name change, said, “It’s At the meeting, President important that names that have Andrew Currier spoke on behalf been attached to buildings, streets, of the Riordan Community and sports teams be re-examined as the neighbors on Phelan, who did we culturally/historically become not want the change. more aware of any racist legacy Like some residents, Reardon attached to them.” does not believe the voting process Reardon does not want a name was fair. “The Riordan community change at all. “If we start looking should have been allowed to make into the sins of everyone’s suggestions for names to be on offspring, we better be ready to the slate of choices,” he said. “We tear down a lot of statues and were not given that opportunity.” signs and murals. It’s a slippery But, he believes it is too slope.”