Yeah I was a little mad. I was definitely looking at an opinion, and not a viewpoint that every student at Yale holds.
I had mentioned this issue to my daughter who had not heard of it and she is very active on campus. I was curious if it was really a thing or if it was a dramatic statement that was being blown out of proportion. She said that all of her friends that are in that college are thrilled and that they love the changed name. They have all started calling themselves Hoppers already, pointed out that even on the map that it has been changed, in the dining app it has been changed and that the overall feeling is a relief that its over with. I would not characterize the entire school based on an opinion piece. It is such a diverse group of kids that there will always be some kind of opinion on any issue but the good thing is that you will always fit in because no matter your cause, there is likely someone that will agree with you and help you champion it.
There are always a few hotheads in every crowd, and they generally get the most press. Most people I know in the community are happily embracing the name change.
My daughter–a recent graduate–thinks the opinion is dopey, and strongly approves of the Hopper name. I should also note that Hopper was one of the names that many people were pushing for one of the new colleges, so it already had wide support.
@hhjjlala - I don’t know if I answered you earlier or not, but I do not think you should let a few comments or students sway your thoughts about Yale. Yale encourages freedom of thought and just like it rethought its initial decision not to rename the college, it is still in a posture of considering name changes for other venues. If you’re looking for a school that does not have diversity of thought, Yale may not be the place for you anyway. The Hopper name was one that was put forth but students and alum during the process of naming the two new colleges.
Yale, its students, alums, admins and faculty are not perfect, but nowhere is perfect. Please read more deeply into the school’s response to the name change overall. As an AA alum, I can tell you that we are extremely happy with the name being changed and at this moment are not quibbling with the name chosen. We are just glad that after over 30 years of protest, the name Calhoun has been removed, which was a continued slap in our faces. The fact that 2 of 14 residential colleges will now be named after women is a feat after 100+ years of all 100% being named after men considering half of Yale’s undergraduate population is female.
We pick our battles, and yes, there is still work to be done at Yale. But we also know how to celebrate our victories. This is a major victory. We’ll take it!!
This is priceless http://■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/2017/02/black-yale-student-protesting-calhoun-college-finds-out-hes-a-direct-descendant/
This is priceless http://■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/2017/02/black-yale-student-protesting-calhoun-college-finds-out-hes-a-direct-descendant/
Re: #59
Not sure why it would be unusual for someone to have strong disagreements with one of his/her ancestors or other relatives.
It would be different if he’d known beforehand that he was disagreeing with a direct relative. Do you not see a tad of irony in this situation?
Calhoun apparently raped his great-grandmother who was one of his slaves.
He did know that before he wrote this NYT article where he reflects on that: https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/02/10/opinion/get-my-racist-ancestors-name-off-of-yales-campus.html?smid=tw-share&_r=0&referer=https://t.co/SVe0MGAy83
@jym626 Thanks for sharing! That’s wild.
They’re again complaining because Grace Hopper was white. I’m starting to reconsider my application to Yale; its community is starting to look toxic, racist, and short-minded.
Per his editorial, he did not know of his history until a year and a half after he began to protest the name of Calhoun college.
Yes I saw that. I guess I don’t get why it’s “priceless”.
I will say it’s remarkable. I wonder how many other black descendants of Calhoun are out there and if any others made it to Yale.
Wordsmithing? Semantics. Its ironic, surprising, unlikely, etc.
Looks like 2 threads were merged- hard to follow.
No. Why would it be unusual that someone disagrees with the opinions of an ancestor?
Even with more recent ancestors, many people disagree with the opinions of their parents or grandparents on various topics (including racism related ones).
John Calhoun had lots of children. Presumably, lots of people are his descendants. But probably very few (if any) of those alive today are pro-slavery.
Well look a little harder. He had no idea he was a relative when he protested.
@jym626 I don’t understand the irony, either. Coincidence, sure.
I’m a descendant of a slave who was raped (I’m white, one of her children “passed” and moved away from Maryland then married a white woman.) This kind of story is much more common than you’d think if your family has been in the U.S. for a long time.
I also didn’t find this out until I was an adult. Am I supposed to have some sort of affinity with the slaveowner, who is my ancestor? Because I don’t.
Why wold you have an affinity? But if you dont see the irony, well, ok then. Moving on…