We have been following the ongoing coverage of the controversy regarding the Carrie Chapman Catt Building since the beginning.

We have read numerous articles, editorials, and letters. Finally, after reading the September 27 article entailing the September 29th Movement’s presentation to the GSB, we felt we could no longer remain silent.

To quote Allan Nosworthy, leader of the September 29th Movement, “We should not be the silent ones, we should be the ones with opinions.”

Since coverage of this controversy began, the statement made by Carrie Chapman Catt “white supremacy will be strengthened not weakened by woman’s suffrage,” surfaces time and time again. This statement is blatant racism. There is no denying that such a statement is oppressive to some and loathsome to all.

Carrie Chapman Catt did make racist statements, but does that make her a racist? Did she not say, “And there will never be a true democracy until every responsible and law-abiding adult in it, without regard to race, sex, color or creed has his or her own inalienable and unpurchasable voice in the government.(?)”

The purpose of the September 29th Movement is change, changing not just the name of the building, but also the mind set of people. Perhaps Catt saw the error in her previous thoughts and statements.

Is it not possible for someone to see the transgressions they have committed, and change their ways? For example, the Apostle Paul was once a persecutor of the early Christian church. After being blinded on the road to Damascus, Paul repented and became a leader in the Christian community. Could not Catt have repented?

Unfortunately, we will never know since she has long passed. All we have to go by are her writings, and the writings of those who knew her.

In Mary Church Terrell’s book, entitled “A Colored Woman in a White World” Tarell stated, “Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, one of the twelve foremost women in the United States, has demonstrated her freedom from race prejudice and her friendship for me over and over again, ever since I met her at least 30 years ago.”

Surely, such a statement from a prominent African-American must be taken into consideration when judging Carrie Chapman Catt.

Catt is also attributed with saying, “We do not in this country face the color question fairly and squarely and find some kind of a decent solution for it, and that failure is rightly used against us throughout this hemisphere….We must leave the door open to whatever arrangements we may make for peace in order that justice can be done to all the races on all the continents.”

In her zealous pursuit for women’s suffrage in the last few months before ratification, Mrs. Catt was guilty of poor judgment.

Her racist statement was closed-minded and unjustified. With victory in sight for the 71 year-old cause, she made a cold, political decision, comprising her ideals and beliefs.

We feel that even with these indiscretions, Carrie Chapman Catt fought for many admirable causes furthering the rights of all people.

It is of our opinion that a person should be judged by their collective acts, rather than a few unpalatable remarks. For these reasons, we believe that Catt Hall should not be renamed.

Finally, Allan Nosworthy stated, “Ask questions please. Racism is a problem that is not talked about. We have to talk about it.”

Maybe a question that needs to be asked is, if one once held prejudiced views, is one always prejudiced? Sadly, if the answer is yes, then all the work to break down racial barriers has been in vain.

Douglas Voegele

Graduate Student

Civil Engineering

Marshall Boyken

Graduate Student

Civil Engineering

Peter Zimmerman

Graduate Student

Civil Engineering