|
Students protest plaque
 Media Credit: Leslie Andres SCSU students carry signs Tuesday outside Shoemaker Hall, in protest of a plaque honoring Jane Grey Swisshelm, a noted feminist, abolitionist and journalist. Swisshelm, who lived in St. Cloud in the latter part of the 19th Century, was anti-American India
|
|
Students protested the presence of a plaque Tuesday endorsing what some recognize as an anti-American Indian sentiment on campus.
The commemorative plaque that honors Jane Grey Swisshelm is one of many historical markers on the campus, according to Nathan Church, vice president for student life and development. Until recently, it went unnoticed.
"Students at this campus have been active in protests across the board including other issues such as the (American Indian) mascot issue, but to my knowledge there has never been one quite like this one before," Church said.
The markers are placed in relative proximity to where historical structures were physically located on the space the campus now occupies.
Swisshelm, who was originally from Pittsburgh, established an anti-slavery newspaper in St. Cloud in 1858. She was an advocate for women's rights and was the first woman to sit in the Senate press gallery. Swisshelm's newspaper was an effective vehicle for illustrating her beliefs about American Indians whom she accused of being "lazy, uneducated and unworthy to live."
According to a letter signed by students Amy Bertrand, Voni Thorsten, Nikki Trutwin, Hali Johnson, and Cheryl Pierce, "honoring someone who held such beliefs goes against what our university stands for."
In an effort to remove the plaque honoring Swisshelm and fulfill a project requirement for a HURL 491/492 class, a protest was organized.
"We heard about (Swisshelm's anti-American Indian sentiments) from another class so we decided to do (the protest)," Thorsten said.
About 30 people showed up for the protest, including other Human Relations students. Church was among those present.
"I am happy to see students raising issues about this particular period in history," Church said.
SCSU staff Gary Cheeseman, an American Indian, was invited to speak at the gathering. Students also sent a letter to President Roy Saigo proposing that the plaque be removed
"The campus is supposed to be progressive and less racist," Trutwin said. "This is another step towards that. It is a good compliment to the American Indian mascot issue (that Saigo is fighting for)."
According to Church, the university will respond to the protestors and address their concerns.
"The letter went to the president and the student will be referred to my office," Church said. "The students will be encouraged to follow up and work with my office to explore educational opportunities available in dealing with the marker and see if we can come with some mutually satisfactory outcome."
Church also found the protest experience to be a positive one.
"(Tuesday) was an example of students raising concern. That is good for the education process in the university and education is our primary mission."
|
|
|
|
|
|
