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Letter: Dixie is part of Utah’s history

(Chris Caldwell | The Spectrum via AP file photo) "DIXIE" is painted on the Sugarloaf sandstone rock formation Tuesday, June 30, 2020, in St. George, Utah.

The pressure is upon us once again about removing the name of Dixie from our longtime mainstays in the south of Utah.

To do this would be like forsaking much of the history of St. George and the entire area we know as Utah’s Dixie. It is foolish just to bend to the demands of a few that say they are offended by a word, even though some may make threats.

It is offensive to me that some of our people would be led to cater to the extremist views of the protesters, rioters and terrorists of some recent events.

Changing the name of the university or a convention center doesn’t change the fact that St. George is Utah’s Dixie.

This is perhaps worse than tearing down statues of people that were involved in certain happenings in the past. This is tearing down the historical name that we have referred to for so many years. It also tears at the memories of so many people of the past that worked and dedicated themselves to the history of Utah’s Dixie.

It is time that the “silent majority” let our leaders know that we refuse to cave in to the demands of those who fail to understand the value of our history and the things that we hold dear. It is time that we stand together against any demanded changes in Utah’s cherished Dixie.

Bill Barton, West Jordan

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