Black Lives Matter
The Black Lives Matter movement has been one of the major stories across the world in recent ways, and the removal of statues has been a focal point of the debate. Since the statue of Edward Colston in the British city of Bristol was removed and dumped in the harbor by protestors, there’s been much argument over the legacy of such individuals.
Now, a Bristol pub named after Colston – Colston Arms – is being renamed. The owners have asked the public for help in giving the pub a permanent name, but in the meantime have renamed it quite an unconventional title. According to a banner over the old name, the pub is currently entitled Ye olde Pubby McDrunkface.
Pub landlord Paul Frost said that “there hasn’t been a lot of chatter about our name since the statue came down, but I thought we’d be inundated with suggestions. We thought we’d give the pub a temporary name to kick off some discussion about it and get the ball rolling.”
Pubby McDrunkface
In front of Pubby McDrunkface’s entrance is a sign reading: “We are listening. Black Lives Matter.” Expanding on the decision, Frost explained further: “There’s been a good jovial response to the new name which is nice to see. It’s been taken in the spirit I hoped it would be… Myself and pub owners Admiral Taverns are going to listen carefully to people’s suggestions before settling on a new name. It’s a debate I am very keen to listen to but not be part of myself. There are people more informed than a middle-aged white man like myself. I think my voice is heard enough as it is and there are people who need to be heard more than me.”
The pub name is an ode to Boaty McBoatface, the winning name for a ship in a 2016 UK poll – though the ship ended up being named Sir David Attenborough instead. Boaty McBoatface has become something of a pop culture sensation in the years following, with Sydney Ferries’ Ferry McFerryface and Swedish train Trainy McTrainface.
Have you seen any bizarre renamings of buildings or businesses recently? If you have, let us know!
