On Nov. 18, Princeton University's Black Justice League held a non-violent sit-in in President Christopher Eisgruber's office to discuss creating a safe and inclusive environment for black students on Princeton's campus. One of their demands was for former Princeton president and 28th president of the United States, Woodrow Wilson's, name to be removed from two academic buildings: the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and Wilson College. The students believe that Wilson's racism, most blatantly shown when he authorized the re-segregation of federal government departments in Washington D.C., which cost many black families their jobs, makes his name an oppressive presence on campus. Wilson's racism did not stop there. While president of the university from 1902 until 1910, Wilson prevented the admissions of black students, believing it to be, "altogether inadvisable." Although Wilson was an obvious racist, this is not the reason his name is on Princeton's academic buildings. When the buildings were named in 1948 and 1966, Princeton had in mind Wilson's international presence, advocating for the League of Nations following World War I, the precursor to the United Nations. Do Woodrow Wilson's achievements as president outweigh the racism he showed in a position of power? If his racism makes him unworthy of commemoration, how many other historical figures deserve the same treatment?

Woodrow Wilson was born in antebellum Virginia in 1856, when the belief that blacks were the inferior race was common among southerners. However, Wilson was able to hold positions of power that allowed him to turn his racist thoughts into actions. In international affairs, Wilson stressed the principle, "the interest of the weakest is as sacred as the interest of the strongest," but he was never able to apply this to the country he led. When elected, Wilson was believed to be the second Lincoln, but instead he was a Ku Klux Klan apologist who believed slavery was wrong on economic instead of moral grounds. When speaking to a delegation of blacks protesting segregated units in the military, Wilson replied, "Segregation is not a humiliation but a benefit, and ought to be so regarded by you gentlemen." Woodrow Wilson's accomplishments as presidents are worthy of commemoration, but should we commemorate a known racist?

If we take down historical commemorations to known racists, we would have very little monuments left. The majority of our founding fathers were racists and owned slaves, but in a time of slavery. Is it fair to judge these men's beliefs with our 21st century beliefs? No. Although these men were obvious racists, they lived in a time when that was common. Some of our most revered historical figures were able to transcend the ideas of their time to do what was right. Abraham Lincoln presided over the country in a period of racism, but rose above the beliefs of himself and the country to do what was right. Should we fail to commemorate him, because he believed slavery was wrong, but blacks were not equal to whites socially and politically? Of course not. Without the actions of Lincoln, slavery may have lasted much longer and our country may have fallen apart. In my opinion, it is important to commemorate important historical figures for their accomplishments, but also be aware of their flaws.

George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton, among others, were important historical figures with character flaws. Their flaws did not prevent them from doing great things for this country that are worthy of commemorating, but their flaws are also worthy of recognizing. Abraham Lincoln was a flawed man whose ideas made him one of our greatest presidents. However, even the study of our greatest presidents, deserves focus on his flaws. Woodrow Wilson was pivotal to the peace effort following World War I, but in his country, he was a backwards thinker. Unlike the founding fathers and Lincoln, who were men of their times and whose achievements were timeless, Wilson was a man behind his times. Even a man born into the Confederacy should have been able to grasp the importance of the power he held. Government jobs had already been integrated and authorizing the re-segregation of them pushed the United States backwards in racial thinking. The Black Justice League at Princeton wants Woodrow Wilson's name removed from the academic buildings, and a plaque or web page added to describe his racism. In my opinion, his name should remain, but the plaque and web page should be added.

American history is filled with unavoidable racism. We cannot erase the names of historical figures with flaws that don't fit modern day ideals, without completely erasing our history. It is important to learn about the flaws of our historical figures as well as their achievements. There are many cases when the commemoration does not fit the figure. For example, in Baltimore, there is a statue of Chief Justice Roger B. Taney. Taney is best known for his racially based verdict in the Dred Scott case, which stated that blacks could never attain citizenship. This man is not an American worth commemorating, but Woodrow Wilson is.