Resolution Calling on the Appropriate Naming Authority to Rename Esek Hopkins Middle

School

WHEREAS, the Providence school building at 480 Charles Street was built in 1916 and was later
named by the City of Providence in recognition of Rhode Islander Esek Hopkins, who was
Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Navy; and

WHEREAS, Esek Hopkins participated in Rhode Island’s slave trade, commanding a ship on behalf of
Nicholas Brown and Company in 1764-65 to bring slaves from West Africa to the West Indies, a
voyage that resulted in the horrific death of 109 of the 196 captive Africans on board; and

WHEREAS, for more than a century, Rhode Island’s reverential historical account of Esek Hopkins
focused mainly on his accomplishments during the Revolutionary War as a brigadier general for the
colony’s forces, and as the first commander of the U.S. Navy, and post-Revolution as a member of the
Rhode Island General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, notwithstanding his prominence in Rhode Island, and some success as naval commander,
Esek Hopkins was accused of disobeying orders, and torturing prisoners of war and was ultimately
censured by Congress in 1776, suspended from service in 1777, and dismissed from the Navy in 1778;
and

WHEREAS, Esek Hopkins retaliated against the men who reported him, leading Congress to pass a
resolution which is now cited as the country’s original whistleblower protection law; and

WHEREAS, Esek Hopkins’ participation in the slave trade, resulting in the unconscionable death and
suffering of innocent men and women, is a reminder of a dark and shameful history of our state and
our nation, one that we must acknowledge but will not celebrate; and

WHEREAS, the Providence School Board has made a strong public commitment to affirming the lives
of our students, and has been working to change our institutional culture to align with that
commitment, embed equity, and undo racism; and

WHEREAS, one way we honor the lives of those held in high esteem--those who have made
contributions to our community, those of high ethical standing, those who inspire us to dream and
achieve great things--is to place their names on public buildings that we value as important institutions
in our society, such as schools; and

WHEREAS, while we cannot erase this stain on our nation’s history, it is unacceptable to continue to
send 600 students into a school named after a man who actively participated in and profited from the
slave trade; and

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Providence has under its powers and authorities, the
ability to name City buildings.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Providence School Board calls for the renaming of
Esek Hopkins Middle School in honor of a Rhode Islander who reflects our highest aspirations and
values as individuals and as a community; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that upon approval, the appropriate naming authority work in
collaboration with the Esek Hopkins school community—students, families, teachers, administrators—
to rename the school.

Presented this ______day of _____________________________

(Month, Year)

______________________________ __________________________________
President Nicholas J. Hemond Clerk

Date Approved: ___________________

Resolution Calling on the Appropriate Naming Authority to Rename Esek Hopkins Middle School Page 2 of 2