I am responding specifically to the issue of renaming Cyclone Stadium, and more generally to current race and gender relation issues at Iowa State.

It seems to me that recently, good ideas with nothing but good intentions have been fought every step of the way.

It is obvious to me that it is a good idea that we honor Jack Trice, ISU’s first black athlete, by renaming the stadium.

And it also seems like a great idea that we move Trice’s statue next to the stadium, a seemingly more appropriate location.

I suppose that’s not obvious to everyone. Some people have opposed the idea, with excuses such as the speculation that Trice’s injuries stemmed from a dangerous roll block on a play, and that it is not appropriate that the statue that depicts Trice in a scholarly pose be located next to the stadium.

What are we afraid of? Honoring a dedicated, well-rounded athlete who was also scholarly?

Because of one maneuver during a football game, should we discount Trice’s contribution to ISU athletics, and to this school as a whole?

To me, this is as absurd as discounting the progress Carrie Chapman Catt made toward women’s rights because of a few comments she had made somewhere along the line.

We are all intelligent enough to know that we are not recognizing Catt for her shortcomings, but for her accomplishments. I am sure that sometime during my life I have said something that was either ignorant or misinformed.

I hope that someday, though, if I ever achieve or contribute something great to society, all of my efforts aren’t discredited because of a mistake I made, or a view that I held.

I think that we should be proud of the accomplishments of members of the Iowa State community. We have spent more time focusing on what’s negative, what could go wrong, or what might offend someone.

Let’s be smart about this. I believe that Jack Trice and Catt were two well-meaning people with good intentions. We can’t condemn all people who have made a mistake, or even have an opinion that we disagree with.

What we should recognize is their overall contribution, and changes they have fostered. Let’s support a positive change for our community.

If one day a statue is erected in my honor, I’ll tell you right now that I wouldn’t care if it were located next to Carver Hall, the stadium, or in the middle of a parking lot.

Angela Ryan

Senior

Management Information Systems