While the NAACP and Ward take exception to two of the three names, the choices don”t seem to bother those who will be most affected by the change — current MUW students.
Michelle Johnson, a senior music therapy major from Southaven, said her first choice is Reneau. Even after learning the opposition being taken by the NAACP, her mind was not changed.
“I don”t think there”s anything racist about it,” she said. It was 150 years ago, I still stick with my original point. I like Reneau because without her we wouldn”t have this university.”
Detrick Williams, a freshman from Clarksdale who wants to be a history teacher, also prefers Reneau. He also didn”t change his mind after learning about Reneau”s past as a slave owner.
“We can”t blame everyone who owned slaves,” he said. “I still think she is a great part of this school and it should be named after her. We live in a different generation now. Blacks and whites are more open with each other. The friend I depend on most is white. The barrier is down with the young generation, even if it might still be there with the older one.”
Charlise Bradshaw, a speech pathology major from West Point would rather the school stay MUW, but out of the three choices likes Waverley best. After mulling the NAACP”s opinion around for a while, she still felt comfortable with her first opinion.
“I know it”s kind of funny, but no it doesn”t make me change my mind,” she said. “That was then and this is now. It just doesn”t bother me.”
Alex Oltremari, a culinary arts major from Jackson, admits he doesn”t know much about the history of any of the three names being considered, but likes Reneau best.
“If she was a slave owner it wouldn”t bother me, but I could understand where other people are coming from and why it might bother them,” he said.
Claudia Watson, a freshman majoring in business and culinary arts, still wishes the school wasn”t going to change the university”s name, but if they are going to wants any name other than Welty.
“Welty, I just didn”t understand because she didn”t even graduate from here,” she said. “If they are going to change it I wish they would pick something that relates to Columbus.”
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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