University of Rhode Island to remove WW2 murals due to lack of diversity

[Stevicus]

Nearly 70-year-old murals taken down at University of Rhode Island for lack of diversity

A mural painted nearly 70 years ago at the University of Rhode Island is set to be taken down after staff said students complained about a lack of diversity in the picture.

1954 was the dedication of “The Memorial Union” at the University of Rhode Island.

When veterans returned from World War II and enrolled at URI, they and other community members raised money in memory of those who lost their lives in the war.

The man who painted the mural was a WW2 vet himself, attended URI, and worked there for 30 years.

Arthur “Art” Sherman was a decorated returning veteran and member of the class of 1950, a predominately all-white class.

Less than 2,000 students overall attended the university overall.

Originally, he was asked to draw cartoon-like murals in a Quonset Hut that served as an earlier site for the student union but in 1953, as the current Memorial Union was being completed, the building’s manager asked him to paint more murals in the new building’s ground.

“Oh, I loved painting that, yeah,” said Sherman, who’s now 95 years old. “I never had any formal education in painting by the way I just used to cartoon.”

The murals depict servicemen returning to Kingston, a class reunion, URI commencement, a South County beach scene, and students piled into a jalopy wearing letter sweaters.

“Well, it depicted that era,” said Sherman. “A lot of students, friends of mine, would come by and say why don’t you do this, why don’t you do that so that’s what I did so everybody chipped in.”

Apparently, the university has received complaints about the mural and its lack of diversity, so the decision was made to have it removed.

“It really depicts a snapshot in time of the university’s history, important history, showing a person returning back to campus from World War II and other historical moments,” said Vice President of Student Affairs, Kathy Collins. “We’ve made a really difficult decision as we aim for the university’s future and we think about who are our students today, and who are our students going to be tomorrow.”

Collins said she’s been working for URI for the last four years and has received complaints from students.

“I have received complaints about the murals that portray a very homogeneous population predominately the persons painted and depicted on the wall are predominantly white and that does not represent who our institution is today,” said Collins. “Some of our students have even shared with us they didn’t feel comfortable sitting in that space.”

Pamela Sherman, Art’s daughter, said her family does not agree with the decision to remove the mural.

I'm not sure about this. This isn't a Confederate monument or anything like that. This is commemorating those who fought in World War 2.

I'm also curious as to how many complaints they actually received. Whenever someone says something like "I have received complaints," I sometimes wonder, considering how many times people complain and nothing happens.

 

[Twilight Hue]

This generation has gone completely insane.

 

[Revoltingest]

Rumor has it that Mt Rushmore will be removed due to lack of diversity.

 

[BSM1]

Rumor has it that Mt Rushmore will be removed due to lack of diversity.

The White Mountains of New Hampshire may also be in the cross hairs...

 

[Revoltingest]

The White Mountains of New Hampshire may also be in the cross hairs...

Is Black Mountain NC safe?

Uh oh....
White Honky Trail at Surrey Hills

 

[Stevicus]

The White Mountains of New Hampshire may also be in the cross hairs...

We have a range called the White Mountains here in Arizona, too. In fact, Whiteriver is the HQ for the White Mountain Apache Tribe.

 

[Harel13]

Will white water rafting become Black water rafting next?

 

[Rival]

Will white water rafting become Black water rafting next?

I've often wondered when I'm going to start having asking for a 'coffee of colour' or something.

 

[BSM1]

In all seriousness, all this re-culturing may have just the opposite effect then intended. If all the history and symbols of Black injustice are erased and/or scrubbed clean, then it might be harder for Black leaders to convince future generations that there ever was an injustice to begin with.

 

[Revoltingest]

In all seriousness, all this re-culturing may have just the opposite effect then intended. If all the history and symbols of Black injustice are erased and/or scrubbed clean, then it might be harder for Black leaders to convince future generations that there ever was an injustice to begin with.

Never underestimate people's ability to feel
victimized, & blame others for personal troubles.
Same goes for reparations....if ever handed out,
it won't change the conversation.

 

[BSM1]

Never underestimate people's ability to feel
victimized, & blame others for personal troubles.
Same goes for reparations....if ever handed out,
it won't change the conversation.

True dat...

 

[Twilight Hue]

I've often wondered when I'm going to start having to ask for a 'coffee of colour' or something.

I use cream. That must mean I'm a racist.

 

[BSM1]

I use cream. That must mean I'm a racist.

You may be forced to start using Half and Half...

 

[Twilight Hue]

In all seriousness, all this re-culturing may have just the opposite effect then intended. If all the history and symbols of Black injustice are erased and/or scrubbed clean, then it might be harder for Black leaders to convince future generations that there ever was an injustice to begin with.

[*snip*] Maybe then they will realize the purpose of the murals was never about diversity, but about defeating Nazi Germany. That's the reason the murals were there.

You cant change history just because because a lack of diversity isn't being portrayed.

This pathological need for participation trophies for every moment in history is telling on just how poorly educated and entitled some people are on these matters.

 

[Twilight Hue]

You may be forced to start using Half and Half...

God forbid should I be whistling Dixie while stirring my cup.

 

[Harel13]

I use cream. That must mean I'm a racist.

Add black (or Black) food coloring and you should be okay.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Add black (or Black) food coloring and you should be okay.

I'll just call it the Michael Jackson creamer.

 

[Tambourine]

Here is what the University has to say about this:

Was there any consideration given to preserving part of the murals as a historical snapshot in time? We explored options for preservation, including removal of the plaster walls on which the murals are directly painted. Due to the construction methods, this was not a viable option. High-resolution photography was completed to preserve the images for both historical purposes and a point of reference of the history of the Memorial Union.

When are they slated for demolition? The initial plan is to install a covering over the murals and not to physically destroy the wall. Options for the installation of the wall covering remain ongoing. As we make plans to renovate the Memorial Union, we will be working with multiple stakeholders on what to do in and with that space that represents the future of URI.

Can someone see them now if they’d like to stop by? The murals are presently covered with URI images that tie the wall space to the University.

Would they be available to another organization if they would like them? (Maybe a VFW hall or the WWII museum?) Who would they contact if they’d like them? The construction method of the wall – plaster and lathe – does not permit removal without damage to the murals and to the walls. The University is open to exploring where they could be relocated. But again, we emphasize they are directly painted on the wall, which does make moving them difficult. Two entire walls would need to be removed.

Source

 

[Tambourine]

As far as I'm concerned, these people deserve to be run over by Hitler. Maybe then they will realize the purpose of the murals was never about diversity, but about defeating Nazi Germany. That's the reason the murals were there.

"The murals depict servicemen returning to Kingston, a class reunion, URI commencement, a South County beach scene, and students piled into a jalopy wearing letter sweaters."
(URI Homepage)

Source

Apparently, the reason why you only see white people there is that URI used to be an all-white college in the 1950s.

 

[Quintessence]

Speaking as someone who works in higher ed, universities are in a difficult position when it comes to requests like this. It's a no win situation. Regardless of the decision the university makes, someone will complain about it. When faced with this no win situation, universities will generally go with the tides of public sentiment. Right now that means flowing with the tide of inclusivity and diversity. Given the rise in racist/intolerant incidents at universities lately (at least there has been where I work) I have a hard time faulting this approach even as I find it unfortunate.