The effort to change the name of "Negro" Creek in Bureau County, IL
Changing the names of places and geographic features with offensive history behind them is a cause that is near and dear to my heart.
BUREAU COUNTY (Heart of Illinois ABC) -- With a history that includes an offensive racial slur dating back to the days of slavery, two people are now working together to change the name of a small creek in Bureau County.
"She said no, it's called n***** creek," said Depue resident, Charlie Klinefelter.
Klinefelter grew up near "Negro Creek." It's an 11-mile long stream, he said is often called another offensive "N" word by the people of Bureau County. He said his mixed-race children have been targeted with those slurs before.
10 years ago, Klinefelter tried to change the name, but did not know how to make it official. Now years later, a woman who grew up in Ladd wanted to be his ally.
*snip*.
The rest of the story, plus video, is here: https://hoiabc.com/2021/08/19/two-people-fighting-to-change-name-of-negro-creek-in-bureau-county/