The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations has decided to change the state’s official name due to painful ties to slavery. Along with her executive agencies, Gov. Gina Raimondo recently signed an executive order removing the word “Plantations” from her official communications.
“Many of the State’s residents find it painful that a word so closely associated with slavery should appear in the official name of the State,” she explained. “The pain that this association causes to some of our residents should be of concern to all Rhode Islanders and we should do everything in our power to ensure that all communities can take pride in our State.”
The order will shorten the name to “Rhode Island” in official communications from the governor’s office, including executive orders and citations, and will also change the state’s website. In addition to that, it will also remove the word “plantations” from all state agency websites and official correspondence, effective “as soon as practicable.”
The move comes amid nationwide protests following the recent police killing of George Floyd. The incident which caused massive outraged sparked discussions on police brutality, racism and social injustice.
