Name change suggested for Rutgers

[Halldan1]

http://newjersey.news12.com/story/4...ers-due-to-namesakes-history-as-a-slave-owner

Name change suggested for Rutgers due to namesake’s history as a slave owner

There are some people suggesting that Rutgers University change its name because it was named for Henry Rutgers, who was a slave owner.

The issue was first brought up by the Scarlet and Black Project, which according to its website is a historical exploration of the experiences of African and Native Americans at the university.

This comes as the topic of systemic racism in the United States comes into focus following the death of George Floyd. Students at the university also started a petition earlier this month calling for the school to rename three of its buildings named for slave owners and anti-abolitionists who were once presidents of Rutgers.



Reaction to the suggestion of changing Rutgers’ name was mixed among the students.

“I don’t know if changing the name is the right approach, because it’s erasing history and if you do that history could repeat itself,” said one student.

“It should be changed if [Henry Rutgers] was a slave owner, in fact,” said another.

Gov. Phil Murphy was asked about the issue on Monday. He said that he has not been asked that question before and declined to offer his opinion, but added, “It seems to me that we ought to be able to get to a better place. If there are symbols, statues, names that somehow separate us as a society, somehow offend people.”

News 12 New Jersey reached out to the New Jersey chapter of the NAACP about the issue. Officials said that they have heard about the topic, but were not ready to provide comment.

A spokesperson for Rutgers tells News 12, “We fully expect that racial and social justice will be at the top of President [Jonathan] Holloway's agenda and expect that that process will include a review of all of the work done by the Scarlet and Black Project, which looked at Rutgers' history including the relationship of its founders to indigenous peoples and to slavery."

Several towns and universities in New Jersey have removed names of historical people who have been linked to slave ownership and discriminatory practices, such as Christopher Columbus and Woodrow Wilson.

 

[shu09]

Where does it end? When does it stop?

 

[TheGucc]

There are no Hitler statues and no Hitler Universities even though he worked absolute wonders for a German economy that was in shambles. We still all know who he is though cuz he’s still in the history books. Just $0.02

On one hand you could say “well so many people owned slaves,” but on the other hand, owning a slave didn’t just entail having a servant who happened to be unpaid. An extremely disturbing number of slaves were separated from their children or parents, savagely beaten regularly, and raped. The atrocities go beyond the already deplorable action of depriving someone of the most basic freedom.

 

[SHUSA]

change it to something more appropriate like buttgers

 

[NYShoreGuy]

Where does it end? When does it stop?

One of my favorite all-time teachers was my 8th grade middle school history professor...mr. daniels...in his classroom he has his own set of poster quotes from the revolutionary era and those that shaped the foundation of these united states, on most of them after the name of who's quote it is had (), inside the phrase "slave owner"

 

[Vegas pj]

University of New Jersey New Brunswick.

 

[Bobbie Solo]

change is scaaaaaaaaaary!

 

[HALL85]

Phil Murphy State.....perfect acronym

 

[MBF72]

I have been waiting for a movement to rid us of the Pirate.
After all, pirates were plunderers and bad people.

 

[GymRat]

This could only happen to Rutgers. Unbelievable.rebuilding since 1776.

 

[shu09]

There are no Hitler statues and no Hitler Universities even though he worked absolute wonders for a German economy that was in shambles. We still all know who he is though cuz he’s still in the history books. Just $0.02

On one hand you could say “well so many people owned slaves,” but on the other hand, owning a slave didn’t just entail having a servant who happened to be unpaid. An extremely disturbing number of slaves were separated from their children or parents, savagely beaten regularly, and raped. The atrocities go beyond the already deplorable action of depriving someone of the most basic freedom.

So are we gonna tear down the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial? Both owned slaves.

It was something that was standard at the time they were alive. It is no longer standard, nor should it be. It hasn't been for over 150 years. These people with their names on universities, buildings, monuments, etc. did a lot more than just happening to own slaves. Their names aren't on buildings and monuments because they owned slaves. Their names are on them because of the good works they did for society and the country.

 

[shu09]

One of my favorite all-time teachers was my 8th grade middle school history professor...mr. daniels...in his classroom he has his own set of poster quotes from the revolutionary era and those that shaped the foundation of these united states, on most of them after the name of who's quote it is had (), inside the phrase "slave owner"

Yes, most of them were. Slavery was rightfully eliminated over 150 years ago. Why does that matter now? It hasn't been apart of American culture for two full lifetimes.

 

[SPK145]

Looks like The Little Red Schoolhouse in Pissthataway will be making a comeback.

 

[anon_ezos2e9wn1ob0]

change is scaaaaaaaaaary!

Maybe we can take down all the statues and erect statues to BLM. We can probably make some beautiful busts showing looting, burning and robbing.

 

[Halldan1]

https://nypost.com/2020/07/01/rutgers-president-far-from-certain-about-football-season/

Rutgers president ‘far from certain’ about college football season
By Zach Braziller

Getty Images

As the novel coronavirus pandemic has continued to torment the country and numbers have risen in football-mad states in the south and midwest, talks have increased of the uncertainty of a college football season being played in the fall. On his first day at his new job, Rutgers president Jonathan Holloway addressed the elephant in the room.

SEE ALSO
Rutgers coach mum on whether college football should play

“I think we are far from certain that we are going to have a college football season in the fall,” he told NJ.com. “Maybe in the spring, but even then we are just guessing right now.”

In early June, schools began bringing student-athletes back for voluntary workouts and many big-name programs – including LSU and Clemson – announced over 30 positive tests of players. Arizona, Boise State, Houston and Kansas State paused workouts due to outbreaks. Rutgers only has had two positive cases thus far and is still scheduled to open the season on Sept. 5 against Monmouth, granted the season doesn’t get moved to the spring or postponed. It seems unlikely there will be fans at games if the season is held in the fall, which Holloway casted doubt on happening, but didn’t rule out. One way to do that would be by Isolating players.

“You can quarantine a fall sports team, by and large, for the fall semester,” he said. “Not that I am a fan of that, but you can do it and then play a game in front of an empty stadium. It’s not desirable, but it can be done.”

 

[SHUisNJsTeam]

If one state school, TCNJ, already canceled fall sports wouldn’t it follow that all of the state schools would? Is that something Murphy could mandate for the state schools?

 

[HALL85]

COVID will turn out to be the one thing that can prevent a RU losing season in the Big 10.

 

[statenman]

The fact that his last name has been associated with the school’s athletic department, I believe, is punishment enough.

 

[SHUisNJsTeam]

COVID will turn out to be the one thing that can prevent a RU losing season in the Big 10.

It already prevented any chance they may have had to squeak into the NCAA tournament (though without some wins in the Big 10 tournament that wasn’t happening anyway) and keep their streak of post season futility alive and well! Probably also saved them from losing their coach if that had somehow happened.

 

[SHUHoopsFan]

On one hand you could say “well so many people owned slaves,” but on the other hand, owning a slave didn’t just entail having a servant who happened to be unpaid. An extremely disturbing number of slaves were separated from their children or parents, savagely beaten regularly, and raped. The atrocities go beyond the already deplorable action of depriving someone of the most basic freedom.

What is the most basic freedom? The right to life?

I guess my hypothetical question is would those pro-choice be okay with being villified in 100+ years from now if people in the year 2150 see abortion as genocide and those who didn't try to stop it were complicit in the act. Would you want all of their names blasted the way these slave owners are?

 

[BILL BELFER]

I feel for those remaining Holocaust survivors who have to live with numbers tatooed on their arms. Death camps of the Nazi era were kept in tact as a reminder of what evils can emerge among mankind. Perhaps taking down these statues has some redemption associated with it. But confronting the past is a powerful way to prevent the bondage of a race of people from ever occuring again. There can be a great learning experience from some of these historical figures too.

 

[Mbrantfan88]

NJ State

 

[hinson32]

It would be the University of New Jersey.

 

[HallX2]

Ruggers. This way they can keep their silly Ru Rah

 

[Mbrantfan88]

It would be the University of New Jersey.

NJSU

 

[BILL BELFER]

how about NRU....Never Rutgers University.

 

[anon_ezos2e9wn1ob0]

How about Rutgers and the leftist mob leaves the country.

 

[BayonneRay]

What is the most basic freedom? The right to life?

I guess my hypothetical question is would those pro-choice be okay with being villified in 100+ years from now if people in the year 2150 see abortion as genocide and those who didn't try to stop it were complicit in the act. Would you want all of their names blasted the way these slave owners are?

Then again we all know that unwanted pregnancies cause all of the abortions. Maybe in the year 2150 many are wondering why the males involved in these pregnancies should not be blasted away. They would probably wonder why these men were not chemically castrated or physically castrated. Instead we place many of these men on a pedestal. Remember if the male did not perform the act, abortion would not happen.

 

[sami]

Wait, Dan posts a story about football with layups in the quotes and no one jumped?

uh, Rutgers has been playing football without fans for years and has solved the social distancing issue by limiting to 15-20% capacity.

 

[TheGucc]

What is the most basic freedom? The right to life?

I guess my hypothetical question is would those pro-choice be okay with being villified in 100+ years from now if people in the year 2150 see abortion as genocide and those who didn't try to stop it were complicit in the act. Would you want all of their names blasted the way these slave owners are?

Well I wouldn’t be alive in 2150, so whatever makes the society of that day and age comfortable and upholds their values, sure, absolutely! Imagine there was a statue built to a great hero of the Catholic Church who defended the sanctity of marriage from the disgusting evil of interracial couples. Decades pass and mixed race couples are no longer an ‘abominable sin’ or whatever. I’d probably want the statue of that guy taken down.

society’s values change with time, and our public art pretty clearly reflects our values. There’s enough good artists in every generation that we can sculpt new great works, and enough role models that uphold the current values of our society that we’ll have subjects to make those statues of

 

[Bluebeard]

Well I wouldn’t be alive in 2150, so whatever makes the society of that day and age comfortable and upholds their values, sure, absolutely! Imagine there was a statue built to a great hero of the Catholic Church who defended the sanctity of marriage from the disgusting evil of interracial couples. Decades pass and mixed race couples are no longer an ‘abominable sin’ or whatever. I’d probably want the statue of that guy taken down.

society’s values change with time, and our public art pretty clearly reflects our values. There’s enough good artists in every generation that we can sculpt new great works, and enough role models that uphold the current values of our society that we’ll have subjects to make those statues of

If this is all about vilifying anyone with a checkered past, specific to treatment of African American or Native American Indians, than the longest serving US Senator in the nation history would be at the top of the list. No need to wait 150 years. Robert Byrd has his name on dozens of bridges and buildings in the state of West Virginia and was alive in the US Senate until his death in 2010. The guy wasn't just in the KKK, he started the chapter in Sophia West Virginia and was a recruiter and leader and was elected exalted cyclops of his chapter. In the middle of WWII this was what he wrote:

In December 1944, Byrd wrote to segregationist Mississippi Senator Theodore G. Bilbo:

I shall never fight in the armed forces with a negro by my side ... Rather I should die a thousand times, and see Old Glory trampled in the dirt never to rise again, than to see this beloved land of ours become degraded by race mongrels, a throwback to the blackest specimen from the wilds.

— Robert C. Byrd, in a letter to Sen. Theodore Bilbo (D-MS), 1944

He went on the lead the longest filibuster in US history to stop the 1964 Civil Rights act. He lead the Democrats in stopping this bill. Only 60% off Democrats voted for the bill, compared to over 80 of Republicans. Don't forget it was none other than Joe Biden who gave this KKK leader his Eulogy when he died.

 

[HALL85]

Morning mic drop....

 

[SHUHoopsFan]

Then again we all know that unwanted pregnancies cause all of the abortions. Maybe in the year 2150 many are wondering why the males involved in these pregnancies should not be blasted away. They would probably wonder why these men were not chemically castrated or physically castrated. Instead we place many of these men on a pedestal. Remember if the male did not perform the act, abortion would not happen.

The overwhelming majority of women who have an abortion don’t do it because of rape or incest. They were just as much a consenting adult to take part in the activity as the male was. They share equal responsibility.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/1211175001

 

[Halldan1]

Back on target guys or another thread will be transferred.

 

[SHUHoopsFan]

Well I wouldn’t be alive in 2150, so whatever makes the society of that day and age comfortable and upholds their values, sure, absolutely! Imagine there was a statue built to a great hero of the Catholic Church who defended the sanctity of marriage from the disgusting evil of interracial couples. Decades pass and mixed race couples are no longer an ‘abominable sin’ or whatever. I’d probably want the statue of that guy taken down.

society’s values change with time, and our public art pretty clearly reflects our values. There’s enough good artists in every generation that we can sculpt new great works, and enough role models that uphold the current values of our society that we’ll have subjects to make those statues of

So it’s all about making society comfortable. I can buy that. Do we have anything that says 51% of Americans want Columbus, Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, etc gone?

 

[SHUHoopsFan]

Back on target guys or another thread will be transferred.

Sorry Dan I was typing that response as you posted.

 

[SHUisNJsTeam]

Here, let’s try to get things back on track.

Change Rutgers name to New Jersey Community College or the Community College of New Jersey, as either of those names would reflect that the school is local in scope and largely serves students in the New Jersey community or they can go back to calling it Queens College, though despite what the governor thinks we are not a monarchy so it may send the wrong message and might not work as well. But if they do go back to Queens College they should change the mascot to the Joker or Court Jesters.

 

[SHUSource]

If this is all about vilifying anyone with a checkered past, specific to treatment of African American or Native American Indians, than the longest serving US Senator in the nation history would be at the top of the list. No need to wait 150 years. Robert Byrd has his name on dozens of bridges and buildings in the state of West Virginia and was alive in the US Senate until his death in 2010. The guy wasn't just in the KKK, he started the chapter in Sophia West Virginia and was a recruiter and leader and was elected exalted cyclops of his chapter. In the middle of WWII this was what he wrote:

In December 1944, Byrd wrote to segregationist Mississippi Senator Theodore G. Bilbo:

I shall never fight in the armed forces with a negro by my side ... Rather I should die a thousand times, and see Old Glory trampled in the dirt never to rise again, than to see this beloved land of ours become degraded by race mongrels, a throwback to the blackest specimen from the wilds.

— Robert C. Byrd, in a letter to Sen. Theodore Bilbo (D-MS), 1944

He went on the lead the longest filibuster in US history to stop the 1964 Civil Rights act. He lead the Democrats in stopping this bill. Only 60% off Democrats voted for the bill, compared to over 80 of Republicans. Don't forget it was none other than Joe Biden who gave this KKK leader his Eulogy when he died.

That's all true, but you neglect to mention his third act, which was to renounce the KKK and his affiliation with it, in the strongest terms over the last twenty years of his life, loudly, publicly, and at every opportunity. His legacy - like some of the men commemorated by these statues and names - is complicated and nuanced, with a long record of effective accomplishments tainted by an equally long record of upholding white supremacy. But at least in the case of Byrd, he had a reckoning and the good taste to repudiate that life, and well before he was on his deathbed, too.

 

[anon_ezos2e9wn1ob0]

That's all true, but you neglect to mention his third act, which was to renounce the KKK and his affiliation with it, in the strongest terms over the last twenty years of his life, loudly, publicly, and at every opportunity. His legacy - like some of the men commemorated by these statues and names - is complicated and nuanced, with a long record of effective accomplishments tainted by an equally long record of upholding white supremacy. But at least in the case of Byrd, he had a reckoning and the good taste to repudiate that life, and well before he was on his deathbed, too.

Wow he renounced the KKK in the 90s? Only 125 years after Abe Lincoln was shot. What a Visionary Byrd is.

 

[SHUSource]

With regard to Rutgers, I can say that various high-level communications and marketing people there I've spoken to over the last twenty years would have loved to change the name of the institution to the University of New Jersey, but fear the massive blowback from the alumni. Their idea is that it would help cultivate affinity and state identity with New Jersey residents, making it easier over the long run to attract its best students and scholars. Of course, it would also wipe clean what is perhaps the nation's worst athletics brand, too (though the Rutgers name has very strong brand equity on the academic side).

I favor the name applied by Lou Holtz, who called them "Ruptures."