University of Virginia Library

Segregated University

I do not think we praise or
honor or even acknowledge Mr.
Jefferson when we set aside a day
for the glorification of an essentially
segregated University. I do not
think we honor Mr. Jefferson when
we stand idly by as large sums of
money are lavishly spent for Sesquicentennial
tea parties, offices, pamphlets,
celebrations, and publicity,
and yet funds cannot be found for
bringing disadvantaged blacks and
whites into the University. I do not
think we honor Mr. Jefferson when
we celebrate, in the midst of a
national racial crisis, a University
which is 99% white, and is making
little effort to right wrongs. I think
rather we dishonor Mr. Jefferson
when we trample "All men are
created equal" as the Founder's
Day marchers will soon trample the
grass on his Lawn. I think we
desecrate his memory when even
for one day we pretend that our lily
white gentility is remotely related
to out Founder's spirit. It is my
own feeling that Mr. Jefferson
would be standing aside from the
Founder's Day goings-on were he a
student here this year. As pictured
in the Coalition's. Counter-Sesquicentennial
symbol, Mr. Jefferson
would have laughed off this
vain pomposity in the midst of
grave crisis.