Brother Everett Muhammad, of the Nation of Islam in Providence, center, joins Rep. Joseph Almeida, left, and Sen. Harold M. Metts, right, at a news conference yesterday to discuss a bill to eliminate the phrase "and Providence Plantations."

The Providence Journal / Connie Grosch

PROVIDENCE — Quick trivia quiz: Do you know what state you live in?

If you answered Rhode Island, you’re wrong.

It’s the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

A group of Smith Hill legislators, along with members of the black community, believe it’s time for a name change that does not conjure up images of the slave trade.

“That we still have the word ‘plantation’ in our name is really a grave injustice and an insult to people in our community,” said Sen. Harold M. Metts, D-Providence.

He and other legislators, reviving a decades-old proposal, have introduced companion bills in the House and Senate to place a question on the next election ballot that asks voters whether they want to change the state’s official name to “Rhode Island.”

In years past the proposal has gone nowhere, with critics saying that the state’s name –– however flawed –– is part of the fabric of the Ocean State’s history.

But supporters say otherwise.

“We’re part of history and we’re changing that history and we don’t want to see that name anymore,” said fellow sponsor Rep. Joseph Almeida, D-Providence, at a news conference yesterday.

The proposal is much bigger than a name change, they said. It’s about making the state aware of its ties to slavery and moving forward, free of that burden.

“If we look at history, history is written for us to avoid the past and to move on,” said Dennis Langley, executive director of the Urban League of Rhode Island.

In practical terms, the change would not be particularly noticeable. “Providence Plantations” appears on neither the state seal nor the state flag. It does appear on certain documents.

Rep. Doug Gablinske, D-Bristol, is not a sponsor of the legislation, but he emphasized his support yesterday.

“I am proud to represent the town of Bristol,” he said. “However, I’m not proud of the history of Bristol’s involvement in the slave trade in this country.”

A name change, he said, “may help lift a cloud.”

“It will [not be an] easy thing to do because we as a state are so set in our ways, but we have to at least try,” Gablinske said.

cneedham@projo.com