University of Virginia Library

Student Leader Statement

The following is the statement made by student leaders around
which today's demonstration is centered.

The University of Virginia, the child of the genius of Thomas
Jefferson, is this year 150 years old. There are many causes for
celebration, but there are many causes for sorrow, and the primary
cause is the survival of racism, genteel though it may be, at the
University created by the illustrious author of the phrase, "All men are
created equal." The University of Virginia, the pride of the Commonwealth
and the pride of the South, still today has not lived up to those
ideals universally symbolized by its Founder. It is a tragic situation,
which we of the University community, in this Sesquicentennial year,
feel we must change. In times such as ours rational and compassionate
men cannot afford to tolerate bigotry.

Thus we of the University community feel it to be our moral
obligation to press the Board of Visitors, the Governor of the State of
Virginia, the Legislature, as well as the citizens of the state, for
immediate action in the area of race relations. The days are gone in
which progress can be measured by minute degrees. The days are gone
in which apologies are sufficient.

Accordingly, we of the University community call upon the
Governor, the Board of Visitors, the Administration of the University
of Virginia:

To consider the affront to the black community and the academic
community posed by the presence on the Board of Visitors of
representatives of the segregationist Massive Resistance movement of a
bygone era. Are the ideals of Thomas Jefferson ever to be realized by
such men?

To consider the conspicuous absence of black Virginians on the
Board of Visitors, a body which should represent and serve all
Virginians and their interests. Is the ideal of racial justice to be realized
in this fashion?

To consider the subsistence-level wages and the general working
conditions offered by the University to its non-academic employees,
the ghetto slums provided by Charlottesville for its black citizens, and
the consistent refusal of the official University to involve itself in the
larger community. Is the ideal of service to the state of Virginia to be
realized by such isolation?

To consider that progress is not progress when it comes too late.
Thus new creative efforts to integrate the University community must
be put forward at the earliest possible date.