Student Quotes
Memorializing the Enslaved of William & Mary Course
Positive Outcomes
Fall 2014 student papers from the course Memorializing the Enslaved of William & Mary elaborate on the many ways a built memorial helps the university achieve positive outcomes. Excerpts from these papers reflect key themes expressed by many of the students; specifically, the memorial will provide opportunities for William & Mary to lead the way in educating its campus community, strengthening relationships with citizens of the Greater Williamsburg area, honoring and remembering those who were wronged and providing a space for reflection.
Educating the university community about its past
"The legacy of the College's lamentable past as it relates to slavery extended into a history that can only be described as 'recent' given the long memory of this institution. It would be wishful thinking to imagine that this legacy does not, in many ways, extend into the present. A memorial to this past which properly acknowledges and contextualizes the legacy of slavery and injustice at the College would provide a platform to learn from." Adam Ferguson, Staff
"We still have room to improve diversity and acceptance on campus, and this memorial on campus would help promote this goal. By investing in a memorial like this, William & Mary can create future alumni who are more invested in the College." "…By making a memorial on campus, we can separate ourselves from the antiquated views of the past and prove that we have grown as a community." Sarah Schnorrenberg '16
"A memorial on the campus of William & Mary will ideally strengthen our community by making known our past mistakes and showing that we are learning from them." "…Instituting a memorial will continue our process of moving forward from this ugly past. Creating a memorial on campus will show that our College is taking the measures to recognize the labored legacy of our College's past. Without them [the enslaved] the College of William & Mary would not be what it is today." Elise Cruz '17
"We cannot move forward as a modern university until we better understand the complete history of our past …The true history of William & Mary is the history of everyone who was here throughout our history, and especially those who were here at the founding …" Kimberly Renner M.A. '06, Former Staff
Strengthening relationships with local communities
"The construction of a memorial will be a positive step toward improving race relations on campus as well as in Greater Williamsburg." Charisse Taylor '16
"While the memorial will intrigue alumni and students, it can also increase community engagement within the greater Williamsburg [area]. The college and the town often struggle with town-gown relationships. In particular, the larger black community has negative opinions of the college." Stephanie Krause '15
"When Professor Joanne Braxton visited our class, she imparted the importance of deep listening when supporting one who has experienced trauma. When one who has experienced trauma is vulnerable and shares their story, a poor response by the listener entrenches the trauma in the individual. When a society has experienced trauma, the same rules apply and trauma needs to be addressed, not repressed." Bronte de Cardenas '16
Uncovering a wrong
"Although no sculpture or structure can erase the horrors that occurred, incorporating the acknowledgement that is long overdue into the material culture of the William & Mary can start conversations that need to occur; ones that will lead us towards further understanding and reconciliation." Timothy Courtney '15
"Its [a memorial's] presence would say to students that the College stands with them….it is working to make changes and use what it learned from that legacy for good. It tells black students, faculty, staff, and community members that the College recognizes what it did and is committed to helping people heal and move forward." Brittney Harrington '15
"It is they [the descendant community—consanguineous or not] who are in constant contact with the present day campus environment, and it is they who must constantly battle the pervasive remnants of this racial history in their everyday lived experiences. It is for them that we propose this memorial be established." Jamesha Gibson '15
"In order to truly understand and appreciate our history and move towards healing our community, we have to acknowledge, remember, and honor the individuals upon whom our community was based." Bronte de Cardenas '16
Providing a place for reflection
"It will give community members impacted by the horrors of slavery a place to mourn and memorialize on campus. Most importantly, it will be a beautiful symbol of solidarity from the Board of Visitors and administration." Brittney Harrington '15
"Not only will this memorial reveal that the College believes that the lives and stories of these individuals are valuable, it may also begin the healing and reconciliation process with the descendant community (described above) who presently live with the racial legacy of the College. This process of healing and reconciliation will finally allow a sector of the William & Mary community a space and a voice." Jamesha Gibson '15
"The College has the ability to come across as strong, resilient, and not afraid to look into its own raw past….and the more time the College focuses on engaging communities, deep listening, and ensuring the prevention of an important piece of the College's history from passing out of memory, it will improve the atmosphere of William & Mary for the next generation. Is this not the ultimate goal of the Board of Visitors?" Melissa Pocock '14
