The group’s recommendation highlights the structure’s role as a focal point of Newcomb Plaza where students socialize and promote organizations. “We will be providing a sign, similar to the recently installed change-agent markers around Grounds, to tell the story and to affirm the University's commitment to be a more welcoming and inclusive community.” Suarez said. Michael Suarez, chair of the Naming and Memorials Committee and professor of English, led the effort to submit a proposal regarding the memorial to University President Jim Ryan and the Board.įollowing the unveiling of the wall, Suaraez emphasized the importance of contextualizing the memorial’s role in the University’s history. “Any attempt to contextualize will fall short because there will always be a direct misunderstanding of the true history.” “A change in the structure does not change why it was built and who it was built for,” Robertson said. Resolution co-author Tichara Robertson, co-chair of the MRC and third-year College student, said the replacement of the inscription with different bricks cannot overcome the weight of the wall’s original purpose. “I think that once people start seeing, especially with a lot of people like in these organizations, we're probably going to come together to have a serious conversation,” Hernandez said. With the University not releasing a public announcement regarding the wall’s unveiling, Hernandez noted many other students are likely unaware of the recent development. “I feel like the University completely ignored marginalized students' calls to remove the wall.” “Personally, as a student of color, I'm very frustrated,” Hernandez said.
Today, resolution co-author Gaby Hernandez, chair of the representative body and fourth-year College student, reiterated her disapproval of the Board’s decision to have the wall rededicated. “The continued presence of this memorial and its physical foundation serves as a reminder to Black students and students of color that white supremacy is still protected today and the University has a hand in this protection,” the resolution reads. Following this vote, the memorial was vandalized with painted phrases reading “You can’t silence us” and “BLM” twice in April 2021.įollowing the Board’s vote to have the wall rededicated In June 2021, Student Council responded by passing a resolution denouncing the Board’s decision to alter the wall instead of removing it. “If the University truly wants to atone for its past and ensure that its future is more just, more accepting and more inclusive, the Whispering Wall will be taken down.”Īfter MRC leaders published the petition and sent an open letter to University President Jim Ryan, the Board voted to either remove or rededicate the wall in September 2020. “The Whispering Wall, no matter what it has evolved into, is still a Confederate monument,” the petition read. MRC referred to the Whispering Wall and its inscription as a reminder of the University’s racist, Confederate past because of Hume’s time as a Confederate soldier. The MRC is an alliance of 10 organizations with the common goal of facilitating learning and cooperation. In 2020, the Minority Right Coalition called for the University to remove the memorial in a petition that received over 2,000 signatures. The memorial’s continued presence is not supported by all. The inscription formerly located on the structure described Hume as a “devoted Virginian who served his native state in the Civil War and Legislative Hall.” Now officially known as the Whispering Wall and with the dedication to Hume removed, the structure was unveiled to the public. The Comittee was created in February 2021 after the formation of the Racial Equity Task Force in response to nation wide “Black Lives Matter” protests and the murder of George Floyd. The Board first approved a recommendation made by the Naming and Memorials Committee in to change the official name of the monument and replace the inscription with contrasting bricks in June 2021.
Located in Newcomb Plaza, the marble memorial also contains a fountain surrounded by a curved bench. Students have informally used the name “Whispering Wall” for years to describe the structure’s ability to carry sound from one side to the other.
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