Under the present circumstances in America today, I’ve had a number of recent conversations about my college alma mater, Washington & Lee University. As the second of three generations to graduate from W&L, I have deep ties with the University as well as great appreciation for the value of my four years there.
I attended W&L in the early ‘70’s, when it began admitting students of color. My fraternity was the first to desegregate, a matter of no small controversy at the time. The next controversy, which seems almost quaint three-plus decades later, was whether or not to admit women. In the mid-’80s, despite much dismay and dissent among its alumni, Washington & Lee became co-ed. Fast forward a little more than three decades, and W&L is once again at a tipping point: the controversy over its namesakes’ connections to slavery.
Our society — including the institutions of higher learning that produce many of our political, business and civic leaders — needs to accept responsibility for the legacy of racism in order to move forward toward greater peace, justice and opportunity for all. This is the change that our times now call for, loud and clear.
This applies to W&L no less than to scores of other institutions around the country. Princeton University has set a bold example by striking Woodrow Wilson’s name from its business school. Of note, around 20% of W&L’s most recent graduates requested, and were granted, the omission of both Washington’s and Lee’s profile images from their diplomas.
Over the years, the University has established numerous student, faculty, alumni, board and administration special committees tasked with resolving challenging issues brought by changing times. Co-education, college affordability and diversity are just a few of those issues addressed by rigorous examination, debate and resolve. The challenge now is the University’s actual name, which honors the memory of men who owned slaves. In particular, Robert E. Lee not only led a Confederate army in the fight to protect slavery, his harsh conduct as a slave owner is well documented.
In my own opinion, the values and traditions upheld and advanced by the University today are no longer well served by its namesakes. I believe that responding in a positive and proactive way to the call for change would be the wisest course. W&L is highly competitive and widely respected, and continues to send well-educated young men and women into the American workforce and society every year. A change in name will not detract from its value and reputation in the national higher education community.
Whatever changes the W&L trustees and administration ultimately decide will likely be contentious. Change always is. But I believe that change and progress are conjoined, and for the continued advancement of the University, I hope for both.
Matt LaMotte graduated from Washington & Lee University in 1974. He presently teaches American history and U.S. government courses at Saints Peter & Paul High School.
Gerry levin says
Washington College in Chestetown also needs to take a close look at this. We should not be honoring a slave owner who history notes abused his slaves.
Tomlin, Samuel says
Thanks, very interesting. I attended W&L for a year in 57-58, class of 1961. I have a few criticisms, but it was and, I’m sure, a very good school. I remember hearing an address from Francis P. Gaines, the then current president…it was “earth moving”…what a voice, what a message. I will never forget.
Which brings me to my point…what does a name or title mean? NOTHING! What is important is the value of the school or whatever…and what it means TODAY. Thanks for the wonderful opportunity!
Deirdre LaMotte says
Thoughtful piece, Matt. It really must be an amazing time to be on the Board of W & L and the transformative
decisions needing to be made. My opinion remains that anyone who took up arms against this country is a traitor.
No glory should ever be given, such as schools, universities, colleges, military bases and major highways named after these people. Having lived
in Alexandria, VA, for a long time, I saw everything as “Confederate”. I even did my Junior League of Washington docent work at
the Lee-Fendall House in Old Town. Jefferson-Davis Highway was a major thoroughfare and most public schools were
named after Confederates. Heck, even the statues on South Washington Street were of Confederates. Wonder what the Alexandria Town Council is dealing with now?! And I remember as a young child taking Christmas presents with my parents to needy Black
residents of Gum Springs…a community of decedents of Mount Vernon slaves. I do remember mother saying how lovely
the women were being properly dressed on Sundays going to Church in Gum Springs…with gorgeous hats. I think she was peeved at the Episcopal
Churches allowing jeans to be worn during services! This brings back memories.
Times are changing and society must evolve. Thanks again!
Robert Kramer says
Mock Book of Life
Matt, excellent piece. It really hit close to home and put some things in perspective, but, at the same time, opened the door to more questions. Maybe you can help with some of your insights.
I went to a very preppy private high School in Atlanta. I graduated in 1963 to put my comments in perspective. We usually had several boys each year attend Washing & Lee, which was held in very high esteem by our faculty.
I attended Virginia Tech and was in the Corps of Cadets for 4 years and graduated in 1967, then served two years in the army from 1967 to 1969. Linda and I retired from the NYC area to Kent County in 2000. During my working career and retirement years, I have attended Virginia Tech football games. So, I was somewhat familiar with the Lexington area as I traveled to the games.
In the fall of 2019, we signed on to move to Kendal@Lexington (like Heron Point in Chestertown) with a move in date of April 1, 2020. During this time, we spent a lot of time in Lexington getting to know the area. Since April 1, we haven’t had much else to do except get to know the area virtually or at a social distance, for all intents and purposes. Since last fall, I have met many folks associated with VMI and Washington & Lee, particularly W & L. Both campuses are within 1 1/4 miles of our cottage. Some of these people were students and some were graduates. Several were professors and staff. And, several were Board members and high ranking officials at W&L, including their prestigious Law School and alumni associations.
As you probably know, Stonewall Jackson lived for a time in Lexington. There is Stonewall Jackson Hospital. There is Stonewall Jackson Cemetery where his grave is… along with many Confederate soldiers and their families. Then there are the street names in Lexington: Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, Lee, Pendleton, Nelson, Edmundson, etc. And, of course, there’s the Maury River, and Matthew Maury’s monument in Richmond was removed on July 3, 2020. Then there is James Madison U in Harrisonburg. Jefferson built UVa’s original buildings with slave labor. Note: UVa just modified some of their logos to remove some ‘objectionable’ historical objects. Don’t forget that Francis Scott Key and McHenry were slave owners.
My point is… where do we draw the line? Who draws that line? America has awakened that Black Lives Matter. George Floyd’s life sure mattered as he was deprived of his human rights when he was murdered. But… he certainly had some bad guy things in his past. So, how should we measure a person’s Book of Life. Does every page have to be perfect? Or… do we take that book in the context of their times? IF Washington & Lee changed its name to Lexington University and removed Robert E. Lee and Traveler from the campus, what’s next? Will it change Mock Con? Will it change all the community service hours that its students pour into the community? Look at the pics of the BLM march in Lexington. Most of those are W & L students, faculty and staff. Change has to happen… it’s started, but where are we going with it?
Taking down the Confederate monuments is a great start. Changing the names of the military bases named for Confederate generals is a logical change. And… then??? What do you think?
Robert Kramer says
For the record, the Lexington City Council voted on early July 3, 2020 to change the name of Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery. They haven’t determined the new name, but will take public input and vote on the new name at their first meeting in September.
I had already submitted the above before the vote.
Patricia Heaps says
“Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered. And the process is continuing day by day and minute by minute. History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Party is always right.” George Orwell, 1984
Enough, already! Just stop! As a graduate of WC and the mother of a W&L graduate, I have to ask – what changed? I would assume you knew the history of the two namesakes when you attended in the 70’s, knowing you were attending a school with a very fine reputation, yet now they have been reduced to slaveholders and must be “cancelled”? Does this make the rest of their accomplishments worthless? The concession was already made to allow graduates to receive diplomas without the pictures of the founders as was the custom. If they were so offended, why did they choose that school? As a family with Presidential namesakes in our educational history, we say leave it alone – but know that the mob will rule.
Ruth MacLaurin says
I was quite shocked to see the photo of Robert E. Lee’s tomb….surrounded by Confederate flags, the so called grandeur of the space. Basically it brought back the countless photographic images of lynchings, surrounded by crowds of smiling people, the image of 14 year old Emmett Till lying in his coffin (his grossly disfigured face forever etched into our memories), the newsreel of Congressman John Lewis being beaten within an inch of his life when he joined Martin Luther King Jr. and the freedom marchers as they tried to cross the bridge into downtown Montgomery, Alabama…..thousands of images from the 19th century onwards. And now the George Floyd 8:46 minute video image is seared into that collection.
I knew Robert E. Lee was buried on the Washington & Lee University campus, I just didn’t realize the tomb took on a “king-like” presence. I’m Canadian and very interested in American history. This photo of Robert E. Lee’s tomb is chilling. Hopefully the university will seriously consider a name change….it has had a few different names throughout it’s history.