Deshaun Watson, DeAndre Hopkins join petition to remove John C. Calhoun's name from Clemson

[world famous 3rd base hecklers]

Better yet... Not only remove the name, but forfeit all the games won by Clemson against Carolina...

It's reparations time...


Two former Clemson Tigers stars and current NFL players, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, are calling on their alma mater to remove the name of John C. Calhoun from the honors college.

Calhoun, who served as the vice president of the United States under two presidents (John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson) from 1825-1832, was a proponent of slavery. Clemson is built on the former South Carolina senator's Fort Hill plantation, on which he enslaved approximately 70-80 African-Americans, according to the school's website.

"I want to bring up something that has been bothering me for a long time in my community," Hopkins wrote on Instagram. "Clemson University still honors the name of well known slave owner and pro-slavery politician John C. Calhoun on its buildings, signs, and in the name of its honors program. I felt this oppressive figure during my time at Clemson and purposely do not mention the University’s name before NFL games because of it."

https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...tson-calhoun-name-removal-clemson/5325072002/

 

[GamecockJL]

The leftist mob’s end game is removing people like George Washington from our history.

 

[Cocky 45]

Because that will solve racism... look I am all for equality and everyone getting the same opportunities in life, but erasing history by removing names/statues is going too far and doesn't solve anything. If people are that offended by a name or statue then something is really wrong. Look at history, learn from it, and move on, don't destroy just because it offends you.

 

[muscleknight]

Again why did they chose to play at Clemson if they knew when they were being recruited? If they didn't know and found out later why didn't they transfer to another school?

 

[andersoncountycock]

Better yet... Not only remove the name, but forfeit all the games won by Clemson against Carolina...

It's reparations time...


Two former Clemson Tigers stars and current NFL players, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, are calling on their alma mater to remove the name of John C. Calhoun from the honors college.

Calhoun, who served as the vice president of the United States under two presidents (John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson) from 1825-1832, was a proponent of slavery. Clemson is built on the former South Carolina senator's Fort Hill plantation, on which he enslaved approximately 70-80 African-Americans, according to the school's website.

"I want to bring up something that has been bothering me for a long time in my community," Hopkins wrote on Instagram. "Clemson University still honors the name of well known slave owner and pro-slavery politician John C. Calhoun on its buildings, signs, and in the name of its honors program. I felt this oppressive figure during my time at Clemson and purposely do not mention the University’s name before NFL games because of it."

https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...tson-calhoun-name-removal-clemson/5325072002/

That name was on campus when they visted why didn't they say something then. The money was probably to good to say anything at the time.

 

[paladin181]

We don't need to erase history, but nor do we need to honor people who represent what has become the worst of humanity. Anyone who was completely ok with subjugating other human beings can't talk about freedom and liberty with any real authority; the hypocrisy is far too real. "I believe all men are created equal and should be free" "Even me?" "No, just the white men!" It's disgusting and should be called out. George Washington was a hero and a patriot because he won his war. Thomas Jefferson was a hero too. But slave owners can't truly be honored for their establishing freedom when they didn't establish it for everyone.

 

[Garnet chicken]

Next up George Washington. History is history. We learn from it all. Trying to revise it because you don't like it is a dangerous path.

 

[paladin181]

Next up George Washington. History is history. We learn from it all. Trying to revise it because you don't like it is a dangerous path.

Isn't the whitewashed history already revised to ignore the less savory parts anyhow? Are people trying to revise history when they want the suppressed truth to be told?

 

[USC1st]

Again why did they chose to play at Clemson if they knew when they were being recruited? If they didn't know and found out later why didn't they transfer to another school?

Because the taters pay very well, lol.

 

[USCBatgirl21]

For those asking "why didn't they say anything when being recruited or when in school" - perhaps because of their youth they did not have an opinion on it at the time, but as they have matured they have come to have an opinion/stance on the issue. Let's be honest...most kids probably don't even know who John C. Calhoun and Tillman are when they get there, or to any college for that matter.

And before any of you start calling BS on the youth part of it, the same can be said for a great many adults of ANY race.

 

[yeah_yeah]

No, but what these statues and building names do is give a starting point to discuss a piece of our history that our kids should know about. I have young children, and when they see those, they always ask “Who is that? Why do they have a statue?” The statue piques their interest, opening the door to the conversation.

I get what they represent, but my biggest contribution to ensure equality is to make sure my kids understand this black mark on our history and how we are all children of God. I do this frequently because of these statues and names on buildings.

 

[Legendary Cock]

They certainly can't be ok with Tillman Hall either.

 

[december2209]

Lol

 

[Gaimcock]

Better yet... Not only remove the name, but forfeit all the games won by Clemson against Carolina...

It's reparations time...


Two former Clemson Tigers stars and current NFL players, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, are calling on their alma mater to remove the name of John C. Calhoun from the honors college.

Calhoun, who served as the vice president of the United States under two presidents (John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson) from 1825-1832, was a proponent of slavery. Clemson is built on the former South Carolina senator's Fort Hill plantation, on which he enslaved approximately 70-80 African-Americans, according to the school's website.

"I want to bring up something that has been bothering me for a long time in my community," Hopkins wrote on Instagram. "Clemson University still honors the name of well known slave owner and pro-slavery politician John C. Calhoun on its buildings, signs, and in the name of its honors program. I felt this oppressive figure during my time at Clemson and purposely do not mention the University’s name before NFL games because of it."

https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...tson-calhoun-name-removal-clemson/5325072002/

Well whatever whomever's opinion may be on this particular issue, I'm willing to bet w/ 10 to 1 odds that some change has/will be generated at CU within the next 6 months; 100 to 1 IF it starts to negatively affect their recruiting!!

 

[Forever Fowl]

Yale renamed their Calhoun building because he owned slaves.

The hypocrisy here is that Elihu Yale not only owned slaves but was a slave trader.

 

[ClemDent]

I just feel bad for the folks who live in Calhoun County or Calhoun Falls. The irony is that both locations have relatively high percentage of African Americans.
I personally don’t have a problem renaming the Honors college. It’s not like there was ever any risk of me being in it. I can also vouch for what others have said, most kids have no idea who these old people are who have things named after them. I didn’t. The only names I was interested in were the coeds.
Change the names, no big deal to me. My memories and feelings towards Clemson have nothing to do with what buildings were named, rather it’s based on the relationships I created and the knowledge I gained.

 

[paladin181]

Well whatever whomever's opinion may be on this particular issue, I'm willing to bet w/ 10 to 1 odds that some change has/will be generated at CU within the next 6 months; 100 to 1 IF it starts to negatively affect their recruiting!!

You probably want to reverse those odds. 10:1 is a better chance than 100:1. Best odds are 1:1, or <1:1.

 

[Gaimcock]

You probably want to reverse those odds. 10:1 is a better chance than 100:1. Best odds are 1:1, or <1:1.

Nah. Might as well leave that up there as a PERFECT example as to why my dewmas shouldn't try to post off this cracked-up android phone while driving here in downtown Charlotte!!

 

[Golden Cock]

Don’t forget slaves built and maintained our U of S.C. college buildings in the first half of the 1800’s.

 

[Gaimcock]

Don’t forget slaves built and maintained our U of S.C. college buildings in the first half of the 1800’s.

True dat. But another thing rarely mentioned or discussed is WHERE slavery actually originated from PRIOR to the existence of our initial 13 states; PRIOR to Columbus's theoretical discovery of America, and EVEN PRIOR TO Leif Eriksson actual discovery!!

Look, my point is that slavery has been in existence since back before Jesus Christ first arrived. That still doesn't make it "right" in anyway IMHO. Look, I just hope and believe that we here in America can just get OST as best as possible ASAP!!!

 

[mcbear30]

Don’t forget slaves built and maintained our U of S.C. college buildings in the first half of the 1800’s.

True, and the University responded to black students' requests that this be acknowledged by prominently placing a plaque noting this on the Horseshoe. The text reads:
"[The Horseshoe's] buildings and historic wall were substantially constructed by slave labor and built of slave-made brick. Enslaved workers were essential to the daily operations of the college, whether they were owned by the faculty or the college itself, or hired from private citizens. Enslaved people lived in outbuildings, one of which still stands behind what is now the President’s House. The University of South Carolina recognizes the vital contributions made by enslaved people.”

No BS, no obfuscating the details, just an acknowledgement of the facts.

FWIW, the University also recently raised a statue of the first African-American professor at USC in response to this student group. They placed it in the most heavily trafficked area of campus to honor him, between the Russell House and Thomas Cooper library.

 

[Golden Cock]

True dat. But another thing rarely mentioned or discussed is WHERE slavery actually originated from PRIOR to the existence of our initial 13 states; PRIOR to Columbus's theoretical discovery of America, and EVEN PRIOR TO Leif Eriksson actual discovery!!

Look, my point is that slavery has been in existence since back before Jesus Christ first arrived. That still doesn't make it "right" in anyway IMHO. Look, I just hope and believe that we here in America can just get OST as best as possible ASAP!!!

Oh I didn’t mean it was right. Just pointing out that Clemson/ Calhoun ain’t the only ones with a slave history

 

[Golden Cock]

True, and the University responded to black students' requests that this be acknowledged by prominently placing a plaque noting this on the Horseshoe. The text reads:
"[The Horseshoe's] buildings and historic wall were substantially constructed by slave labor and built of slave-made brick. Enslaved workers were essential to the daily operations of the college, whether they were owned by the faculty or the college itself, or hired from private citizens. Enslaved people lived in outbuildings, one of which still stands behind what is now the President’s House. The University of South Carolina recognizes the vital contributions made by enslaved people.”

No BS, no obfuscating the details, just an acknowledgement of the facts.

FWIW, the University also recently raised a statue of the first African-American professor at USC in response to this student group. They placed it in the most heavily trafficked area of campus to honor him, between the Russell House and Thomas Cooper library.

I did not know that. Thanks.

 

[Gaimcock]

Oh I didn’t mean it was right. Just pointing out that Clemson/ Calhoun ain’t the only ones with a slave history

Oh in no way did I mean to imply such!! Was just "comment'n"!!

 

[DeepfriedCock]

For those asking "why didn't they say anything when being recruited or when in school" - perhaps because of their youth they did not have an opinion on it at the time, but as they have matured they have come to have an opinion/stance on the issue. Let's be honest...most kids probably don't even know who John C. Calhoun and Tillman are when they get there, or to any college for that matter.

And before any of you start calling BS on the youth part of it, the same can be said for a great many adults of ANY race.

Well said

 

[ToddFlanders]

Seems there is much lower hanging fruit with Tillman Hall. Why not start there?

 

[Gaimcock]

Isn't the whitewashed history already revised to ignore the less savory parts anyhow? Are people trying to revise history when they want the suppressed truth to be told?

Why yes, YES IT HAS...

Thousands of indigenous people were killed, and the surviving women and children were taken as slaves. The enslavement of natives, including the Atakapa, Bayogoula, Natchez, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Taensa, and Alabamon peoples, would continue throughout the history of French rule.

That references Louisiana back during the "French" rule there. More here...

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_slavery_in_Louisiana

 

[USC2USC]

Because that will solve racism... look I am all for equality and everyone getting the same opportunities in life, but erasing history by removing names/statues is going too far and doesn't solve anything. If people are that offended by a name or statue then something is really wrong. Look at history, learn from it, and move on, don't destroy just because it offends you.

If you are for equality for ALL, there is no but. Simple as that.

 

[world famous 3rd base hecklers]

Well whatever whomever's opinion may be on this particular issue, I'm willing to bet w/ 10 to 1 odds that some change has/will be generated at CU within the next 6 months; 100 to 1 IF it starts to negatively affect their recruiting!!

Don't hold your breath... Clemson will hold strong on this...

 

[world famous 3rd base hecklers]

Why yes, YES IT HAS...

Thousands of indigenous people were killed, and the surviving women and children were taken as slaves. The enslavement of natives, including the Atakapa, Bayogoula, Natchez, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Taensa, and Alabamon peoples, would continue throughout the history of French rule.

That references Louisiana back during the "French" rule there. More here...

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_slavery_in_Louisiana

I don't like to be called indigenous, that's racist...

Either call me American Indian, Native American or just an American...

 

[Gaimcock]

I don't like to be called indigenous, that's racist...

Either call me American Indian, Native American or just an American...

Dude, U gonna hafta talk to Wikipedia about that one!! =;-p

 

[Garnet chicken]

If you are for equality for ALL, there is no but. Simple as that.

I don't like the terrible things that happened in World War ll but I'm not going to take books about it and throw them in the trash because it's bad. As he said you learn from past history, you don't throw it away.

 

[midline]

For all of their football talents, I dont think the board of trustees are going go pay either of them the slightest bit of attention. I just don't see the board at Clemson giving over the decision making process to a couplenof ball players.

 

[jonesz21]

Don’t forget slaves built and maintained our U of S.C. college buildings in the first half of the 1800’s.

Don’t forget slaves built and maintained our U of S.C. college buildings in the first half of the 1800’s.

And the White House and Capital building

 

[Gamecock Lifer]

Because that will solve racism... look I am all for equality and everyone getting the same opportunities in life, but erasing history by removing names/statues is going too far and doesn't solve anything. If people are that offended by a name or statue then something is really wrong. Look at history, learn from it, and move on, don't destroy just because it offends you.

I can counter point you on this one- What does it say of people who think removing an honor from the name of a past known racist is “going too far”? The point of studying history is to learn from it and as such- to continue to honor the name or likeness of a man who in today’s light is a deplorable person would be repeating the racist mistakes of our past would it not? I think the goal of these changes is to try to learn from our past and make changes that will encourage different actions in the future.

I try to see both sides of our current political and social turmoil and while my opinions tend to align somewhere between the extremes of conservative and liberal views, there is no denying that minorities have been treated horribly for the entirety of US history (not implying there was no racism prior to the founding of the US, just talking specifically about our country rn). I am watching these Smithsonian Channel shows about the history of our country and it is disgusting what we as a nation did to black people... How the Japanese were treated during WWII, how the Chinese were treated when we basically enslaved them to build our railroads and wrote the first laws to mandate racism against them... From Jews to Irishmen to Latinos to native Americans... We have found ways to discriminate against, mistreat and outright slaughter virtually every identifiable type of person that was not a white American. So, if it helps people feel like equals, feel respected... If it helps people heal to remove a few names from buildings and take down some statues or monuments... So freaking be it.

My question about clemsun specifically is- what about Tillman? The most famous building on their campus is still named “Tillman Hall” right? Named after possibly the most vile racist POS to ever be named governor of any state “Benjamin Tillman”??? Here is a blurb from his wiki page if anyone needs a refresher on this guy:
Benjamin Ryan Tillman (August 11, 1847 – July 3, 1918) was an American politician of the Democratic Party who served as Governor of South Carolinafrom 1890 to 1894, and a United States Senatorfrom 1895 until his death in 1918. A white supremacist who opposed civil rights for black Americans, Tillman led a paramilitary group of Red Shirts during South Carolina's violent 1876 election. On the floor of the U.S. Senate, he defended lynching, and frequently ridiculed black Americans in his speeches, boasting of having helped kill them during that campaign.[1]

During his time as Governor upwards of (AT LEAST?) EIGHTEEN black people were killed by violent lynchings in SC... Stories about him beating people with a 2x4... It goes on and on about this dude. He was not like the Alabama governor who stood in a doorway to slow school integration, he bragged about murdering black people on the state house floor during election debates!

Dookie and Watson worry about a building being named after a slave owner when they went to a college founded by Ben Tillman and haven’t said a WORD about Tillman Hall? That is what strikes me as odd...?

 

[SpurrierWalkedOnBeer]

For those asking "why didn't they say anything when being recruited or when in school" - perhaps because of their youth they did not have an opinion on it at the time, but as they have matured they have come to have an opinion/stance on the issue. Let's be honest...most kids probably don't even know who John C. Calhoun and Tillman are when they get there, or to any college for that matter.

And before any of you start calling BS on the youth part of it, the same can be said for a great many adults of ANY race.

I’m sure there were plenty in the black community that knew about Pitchfork Ben Tillman & his close ties with CU. Money/benefits can be stronger than morals.

 

[sclawman77]

Tillman Hall?

 

[Rollerdude123]

I don't like the terrible things that happened in World War ll but I'm not going to take books about it and throw them in the trash because it's bad. As he said you learn from past history, you don't throw it away.

But you likely dont want buildings named after those terrible things either.

 

[Rollerdude123]

That name was on campus when they visted why didn't they say something then. The money was probably to good to say anything at the time.

1) Possibly because they were high school students dependent on a school’s money so they could attend the college.

2) maybe they didn’t really know about the history as high school students, or it wasn’t important to them as teens, but as adults it is important to them.

 

[USC2USC]

I don't like the terrible things that happened in World War ll but I'm not going to take books about it and throw them in the trash because it's bad. As he said you learn from past history, you don't throw it away.

If you cant see the difference in writing a book about something and erected a major building and naming it in someone's HONOR, I wont be taking the time to explain it to you.