Rhode Island is considering a change of what and why?

ArlingtonVA

Dropping the plantation part of their name and just being Rhode Island officially. http://www.worldhum.com/travel-blog/item/rhode-island-contemplates-a-name-change-20090626/ Jun 27 09, 5:05 PM

zbeckabee

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The country's smallest state has the longest official name: "State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations." A push to drop "Providence Plantations" from that name advanced farther than ever on Thursday when House lawmakers voted 70-3 to let residents decide whether their home should simply be called the "State of Rhode Island." It's an encouraging sign for those who believe the formal name conjures up images of slavery, while opponents argue it's an unnecessary rewriting of history that ignores Rhode Island's tradition of religious liberty and tolerance. "It's high time for us to recognize that slavery happened on plantations in Rhode Island and decide that we don't want that chapter of our history to be a proud part of our name," said Rep. Joseph Almeida, an African-American lawmaker who sponsored the bill. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/26/rhode-island-slavery-lega_n_221313.html Jun 27 09, 6:32 PM