Rhode Island may change its name

Rhode Island is the smallest state with the biggest name, but that could be changing. The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, yeah that Rhode Island’s full name, is considering dropping the “Providence Plantations” part as proponents of the name change say it would remove images of the slave trade. Apparently this has passed the legislature and now must go before the voters for final approval.

The name derives from the merging of two colonies. The irony is that Providence Plantations is the larger mainland and Rhode Island is the island in Narragansett Bay, more commonly known as Aquidneck Island to distinguish it from the larger state.

Tradition and the uniqueness of the name among the fifty states would initially prompt me to side with opponents. Although today when we think of plantations, images of slavery come to mind, plantations don’t necessarily have slaves. However, I can’t discount folks’ legitimate objections as imagery and symbolism do matter.

Providence Plantations was founded by abolitionist Roger Williams.  Williams was forced out of Massachusetts Bay Colony for his progressive ideas of abolition, religious freedom, and equality for Native Americans. Rhode Island was the first North American British colony to ban slavery in 1652.  Rhode Island has a lot to be proud of and I don’t think a petty name change is necessary at all.  I want the smallest state in the union to continue having the longest name.

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