This reminds me of the time when Columbus, Ohio canceled Columbus Day with the urging of the Columbus Dispatch.
George Washington University needs a new name – Washington Post
Whom does the paper imagine the city it’s in is named after? George Washington Plunkitt, Tammany’s honest graft man?
The racist visions of James Madison, Winston Churchill and others are glorified through building names, programs, statues and libraries that honor their memory.
The controversial Winston Churchill Library must go. The university’s contentious colonial moniker must go. Even the university’s name, mascot and motto — “Hail Thee George Washington”— must be replaced. The hypocrisy of GW in not addressing these issues is an example of how black voices and black grievances go ignored and highlights the importance of strong black leadership.
Racial essentialists, whether black or white, like Adolf Hitler, always did find Winnie “controversial”.
Frederick Douglass, a statesmen, political scientist, diplomat, feminist and abolitionist, is a perfect example of a possible namesake to replace George Washington. His work for social reform and equal justice make him an ideal candidate for a new name.
A “statesmen” indeed.
Maybe Francois should study English at GWU before trying to rename it.
Anyway, hasn’t he heard? Douglass was already canceled.
A Republican intra-party contest in an 1888 congressional election in Virginia pitted John Mercer Langston, a progressive black jurist (who had served as the first dean of Howard University Law School), against R. W. Arnold, a white conservative sponsored by a white party boss (who was a former Confederate general). Douglass supported Arnold, and portrayed his decision as high-minded. “The question of color,” he said, “should be entirely subordinated to the greater questions of principles and party expediency.” In fact, what had mainly moved Douglass was personal animosity; he and Langston had long been bitter rivals. Langston was hardly a paragon, but neither was Douglass. Sometimes he could be a vain, selfish, opportunistic jerk, capable of subordinating political good to personal pique.
But things being what they are, I’m sure that in the name of equity, racial justice, and potato pancakes, GWU will soon be renamed Marion Barry University.
Meanwhile though maybe the Washington Post can rename itself. Maybe call it the Bezos Post. That would be unexpectedly honest.
