a campus divided post it notes - … · opportunity to leave comments on post-it notes at the end...

PostitnotecommentsfromexhibitACampusDivided,AndersenLibrary,2017

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VisitorstotheexhibitofACampusDividedinAndersenLibrary(SeptemberthroughDecember2017)hadtheopportunitytoleavecommentsonPost-itnotesattheendoftheexhibit.Thisdocument,createdbyUniversityLibraries,collatesthoseresponses.Note:Spellingiscorrectaswrittendown–somehandwritingwas illegibleandquestionmarksdenotewherewewereunabletodecipher.

1. “Rename: Nicholson, Coffman,Willey”2. “GrowingupinMinnesota,itseemsasthough,eventoday,wealwaysseeracismasmoreofa

problemotherstateshave. Itwasimpactfultoseehowtheuniversityhasperpetuatedracisminhousingandenrollmentthroughoutthe1900s. Itmakesmefeelconvictedtofindwhereelseracismstillexistsandtoeliminateit”

3. “Thisisastellarexhibit.Myonlywishwouldbethatitisbetterpublicized.IthinkeveryoneatUofMshouldseethis.Therelevanceforwhat’shappeningintheUStodayischillingtosaytheleast.Congratulations! I lookforwardtothedigitalversion.–B.Rahder”

4. “Metoo!FromSantaRosa,CA”(Responseto3)5. “OpeningeventSept13th!(Smileyface)”(Responseto3)6. “WhenIcametocampusinthe1970sIwasconstantlyaskedifIwasfromNewYork.Ittookme

monthstorealizeIwasbeingaskedifIwasaJew!IwasremindedofthatasIsawhowJewsweretrackedinthe30s”

7. “Interestingtomehowuniversitiesareoftenseeasthe leaders inpoliticalandsocialmovements,butmajorchangesweren’tseeninhousinguntilwhatseemsprettylateinthegameinmyopinion”

8. “Rename buildings!!! COFFMAN&MIDDLEBROOK”9. “Whereisallthestuffaboutquotasinthemedicalschool!”10. “Campusbuildingsneedtoberenamed.JustastheSouth isfinallyremovingstatuesglorifyingracism

andJimCrow,sotoodoestheuniversityneedtoredresssinsandrenamebuildingswhereallstudents gather.”

11. “Thereareplentyofgoodpointsto#renamecoffmanaswellaskeepingitsnameasis-MM”12. “WouldbeinterestedtoknowwhereElmerL.Andersenstoodinallofthis…”13. “RenameCoffman”14. “Inatimeofrisingwhitesupremacistsentiments, it is imperativethatweRENAMEBUILDINGS

honoringthosethatsupporteddisgustingpolicies.WeareheretobuildaVIRTUOUSFUTURE”15. “Soquithonoringtheatrocitiesofthepast”(Responseto12)16. “#renameCoffman”17. “12/7/17Afriendtippedmeoffaboutthisshow–Toseemyhusbandof65yearsandmanyofhis

closefriendswasuplifting–IamgladtohaveknowhimElizabethShippeewidowofBWarnerShippee”

18. “Greatexhibit!ItgavemeatrueunderstandingoftheUandallowedmetorealizehowracistsomeofourpreviousadministratorsare.Morestudentsshouldreallybeeducatedaboutthistopic.”

19. “Very interesting.Thankyouforallyourgreatwork inputtingthistogether!ShouldCoffmanUnionberenamedsinceallofthisinfoabouthimhasbeenbroughttolight?”

20. “FeatureCoffman’sbiography inthebuildingofhisname.Shed light/drawattentiontothewholestory!”

21. “Rename thebuildingsSUPPORT students/staffwith funding,attend/learnmove,do thework”22. “Previously Ihad littleunderstandingofuniversityadministrators’determinedefforts toenforce

segregation& suppress student activism”23. “Itsimportanttohavethesedifficultconversationsofsensitivetopics. Ithinkagreatwaytomove


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forwardisfortheuniversityasawholebehonestabout itshistory.Academic institutionsaredeeplyrootedwithin racism”

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24. “Thewholecampus&thestateneedtoseethis”25. “#RENAMEBUILDINGSWehave options!!! Yes”26. (Arrowofsupportto25)27. (Arrowofsupportto25)28. “Makethispermanent (Smiley face)!!Keepmoving itaroundcampussomorecan learn (Smiley

face)”29. “Iwork inCoffeyHall,soamstuckonthenewknowledgethatCoffeyreversedGuyStantonFord’s

efforts todesegregate. It takesaverycommitted racist to reverseprogress.Coffey’s (mixed?) impactshouldbedescribedonthebldg,soweareremindedthatthisevil leadershipoccurred”

30. “Morepeopleshouldsee thisexhibit!Move toWalter”31. “Fascinating and Powerful!! Thanks!!!”32. (Arrowof support tounknown)33. (Arrowof support tounknown)34. “ALLTRUTHcomesto light!”35. “I’mnoteven surprised?”36. “BRAVO&Thankyou!”37. “Installpermanentplaques ineachbuildingexplaining that truthabout themenwhosenamesare

on them”38. “YasRt!”(Inresponseto37)39. “Greatwork! Thank you!”40. “Fabulous1Demonstrates themarvelous revelatorypowerof research– and thoughtfulness.A

wholenew story graphically told.”41. “Havingbeenonthiscampusfor15yrsasastudentandstaffmember,thisisthefirsttimeIlearned

aboutthispartofUofMhistory,verypowerfulandpersonallyIfeltquiteshocked.IhopethisexhibitwillbedisplayedinEastBank&St.Paulcampus.Also,revisitwhetherUofMstillwanttoname thosebuildingswithnames likeCoffman,Nicholson,andCoffey.Yes”

42. “Ihavehopethatseeinganddiscussingthishistorycanhelpusacknowledgethecontinuityofstructuresofracismandinequity.Wehaveworktodotochangeourpresent”

43. “Rename Coffman Union!”44. “Ithinkaplaquedescribingeachmanthepresentbuilding isnamedafterwouldbeeducational.Not

everyonehasthetimetovisitthisexhibit,soproviding infoforpasserbys’wouldbehelpful!”45. “PointyshoesNEEDtocomeback”46. “Preach”(arrowofsupportto45)47. “RENAME”48. “Breathtaking disconnect betweenUniversity’s ideals and its policies”49. “MakeMinnesota drill again!”50. “#NOTHANKSMNIWICONI” (In response to49)51. “Thank you!”52. “Trust inGod”53. “NancyLoevingerThankyou,very interesting, I learneda lot. It isvery importanttoresearchand

presenttheactivism&issuesofthesetimesinthecurrentclimate.I learnedalotaboutmyfather,andhadneverseenhisnameisthesehistoricaldocumentsbefore.Iamproudofhimandallthosewhocamebefore&strove for justiceandagainstprejudice.”

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54. “Wow, the ironyof cultural centershoused in a building namedafter someonewhoworked sohard

to keep segregation.Wemustmake this right and renamebuildingswho stood for the education ofall.”

55. “Themotterrifyingthing isthathistory isbeginningtorepeatitselfw/theelectionofTrump&theriseofhategroupsinEurope&America.”

56. “AmazingtoseehowUofMstudentshavebeenadrivingforceforforwardprogresshereattheUandcontinuetobe”

57. “Howaboutthestudentswhovoted60-44forsegregatednursinghousing in1938?Nooneshouldfeelproudofthishistory.”(Inresponseto56).

58. “Wow. Iwassurprisedby thestrikingsimilaritiesbetweentheperiodcoveredandthepresent.Theconstantbackandforthbtwnstudents&admin.Whatrepulsedme isthatthearguablycenterofourschool–CoffmanUnion– isnamedafteraracistpresident.Stillprocessingthis.”

59. Thankyouthe lettersandhistorypresentedwereveryenlighteningtoa less-fortunatetime inthehistory’spastand I thinkmorestudentsshouldknowaboutthisexhibit”

60. “Tomethisexhibitexemplifiesthe importanceofstudyingandexaminingonagranular level–history. Thank you!”

61. “WhydoveryfewpeopleknowourUniversity’sdarkpast?Howcanwestandfordiversitytodaywithout recognizingourerrors in thepast? #renamecoffman”

62. “Fascinatingexhibit.Someof it soundseerily similar towhat’shappeningaroundcampuseventoday.ThankyoutotheUstudentsofthepastforalltheydidtomakeourschoolwhatitistoday.”

63. “Rename”64. “Remember… student activism is powerful”65. “You realizeAntifa isa recognized (official)domestic terroristorganizationnow, right?” (In response

to unknown)66. “Yourealize thiswholeexhibitshowsthedangersofUSsurveillance&naminggroups“anti-

American”, right?” (In response to65)67. “In1917,Chicagopoliceusedpolicebatonsandviolence (possibly surveillance) todisruptmeetings

ofasocialistandpacifistkind.TheNewYorkTimesrepeatedlyhoundedthepacifistandsocialistmeetingsasanti-American (not in somanywords),”

68. “and in1918,MayorMitchell forNewYorkCity lostthecity’smayoralelectionaftergivingsanctuaryto localpacifistsandrefusingtoallowlocalpolicetodestroytheir initialmeetings(aparadefollowed,attackedby thepolice)Verifiablyby“WorldWar ILive,app. (Continuationof67)

69. “Thisisnotnew,people!”(Arrowofsupportto67)70. “TheUniversity ofMinnesota has never discriminated against colored students.”- President Coffman

LIES”71. “Thechangefromstifledpoliticalgroupstotheawesome#wehavenowdemonstratestheU’s

progress&wherewestillhavetogo”72. “WhyistheCoffmanMemorialUnion,acentralbuildingandoneofthemostusedhereatthe

university,stillnamedafteramanwhoboldlystood forracism?Pleaserenamethebuilding!”73. “Thisexhibithasbeenverymind-blowing.IhadnoideatheroletheUhadplayedinatime

consumedbyterrible ideasandstereotypes.Thismademerealizeevenmorethatthere isSTILLalotofworktobedone–AO”

74. “It’scrazyhowsimilarthesetimesweretohowAmericansociety istoday.Fascinating,yetheartbreaking.”

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75. “Coffmanshouldcontinuetobecalledsuchas it isnowhistoricallycementeddespite fewknowing

whoCoffmanwas.Whoareweto judgeourancestorsfortheiractions?”76. “IheardtheUniversityofMinnesotahada lotofracismeventodaysotoseethey’rebecoming

awareabouttheracismembedded intheirhistorymeansstepstochange!”77. Thisisafantasticstart…whoelsearewemissing&canadd…Indigenous,etc.?”78. “Rename thebuildings thathonor&glorify racists”79. “Make thisexhibitpermanentand statewide!All students/faculty/staff shouldbe awareof this!!!

RENAMETHESEBUILDINGS!!!& EXPLAINWHY!!”80. “Renameyouroffensivebuildingnames!!” (Drawingofapeacesign)81. “Basedonwhatwe learn fromthispowerfulexhibit, itseemstheuniversityshouldrevisit thenames

of buildings honoring Coffman, Coffey,Nicholson, etc.!”82. “YES!!! (Second!)ExplainCoffman,Coffey,Nicholson,etc.” (In response to81).83. “Iamhopefulforthefuture,hopefulforchange.Iamencouragedbythestudentleadactivismof

thepast,present,and future#RESIST”84. “#RenameTheseBuildings”85. “I’mincrediblygladthishistory isbeingbroughtto lightandtalkedabout.Aswe learnmoreabout

thepastandour legaciesofdiscrimination, it’s importanttobemindfuloftheharmwehavecausedratherthansimplyputtingthepastbehindusandcreatinganewfuturenotaddressingelephants inthe room.Thankyou.– JoshSpitzer-Resniok”

86. “Creepypoliticalsurveillance isstillafacetof life intheU.S.–Resist!”87. “Whyhaveweallowed such surveillancehere?” (drawingsof security cameras)88. “Thisexhibitbringsto lightmany inconvenienttruths.Thebuildingsshouldberenamed. Icanonly

imaginetheexhibitsstudents80yearsfromnowwillwalkthroughtalkingaboutthepresent”89. “Thisexhibit istimely!Wearesoclosetowherewestarted.Let’smoveouruniversityforwards

together in unity!”90. “Thisexhibitremindsmeoftheimportanceof learningourhistory, inthehopesthatwedono

repeat.Manyofthis, lookingback, isviewedasbeingonthewrongsideofhistoryyet, ideasfromthis time (keepAmericaAmerican) stillpersist.”

91. “AnneBlitz–whatanastypieceofwork”92. “Rename Coffman Union”93. “ChangethenameofCoffmanuniontoCrumpUnionsplease”94. “Yes,please!”(arrowofsupportto93)95. “Thefactthatthistypeofdiscriminationwentonso longwithsuch littleopposition… it’s

bewildering, very interesting to compare to today’s political climate”96. “Whilethisexhibit isabitdepressing, it ishearteningtoseethedifferencesand impactthatstudent

activismcanmake.Thisisimportantnowaswell,andIhopestudentswilltaketheselessonstoheartandstrivetomakepositive impactnow.”

97. “This university is being given a tremendous opportunity to redeem themselves and show students,faculty, alumni, RACISTS, that hate has no home here. Rename Coffman&Middlebrook and look tothe futureof thisUniversity.”

98. “Thankyou!Wandered inandhappenedtoseethisexhibit! Importantpowerful.Seemy livefeedonFacebook. RosalieWeizfeldMcAllen, Texas 8/17/2017.”

99. “HowinterestingthattheBlackStudentUnion ishoused inCoffman,namedafteramanthatwanted to keep the societalhierarchy…”

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100. “Thankyou!We/Ineedmore informationonthegov’twaroffice thatdidweaponsresearchat

theUofM,hiringAfricanAmericanswhocouldnotfindhousing”101. Incrediblework.CrazythattheUdidn’t includeAfricanAmericanstudents in theyearbook for

sometime- incredibly revisionist!”102. “Notonly renamebutEXPLAINWHY”103. “In1943when IenteredUofMmedicalschool. Iwasoneof the10%Jewsallowed into this

classof100students. Iam96yearsold. I couldnotgeton thestaffofa localhospitalexceptSt.Mary’s.”

104. “Very interesting.Thanks for sharing yourexperience!” (Response to103).105. “TheUMNAdministrationcouldhonor the legacyof studentactivismbynotCRIMINALIZING

studentactivistswhodissentanddisruptWHITE SUPREMACY,MILITARISM,andmechanisms thatnormalize and exacerbate poverty.”

106. “RenameallbutFordHall”107. “Thiswasoutstanding–andheartbreaking. Iwould liketoseesomething likethisrunningfrom

1965-75.”108. “MuyquecambiarestaUniversidaden formadeanunciarpúblicamente lodichoaquíycambiar

losnombresdeestosedificiosquizasa losnombresde losestudiantesnombradesquefueronluderesenla luchadeunMinnesotajustoy libreparatodes.”“ChangethisUniversity intheformofannouncingpubliclywhatwassaidhereandchangingthenamesofthesebuildingsmaybetothenamesofthestudentsnamedwhowere leadersinthestruggleofafairandfreeMinnesotaforall.”

109. “Very interesting– thanks foreducating!!”110. “Letsstophonoring thosewhoallowed thisdiscriminationandhate,andstarthonoring those

who fought tochange it.#RENAMEBUILDINGS”111. “It is impossibleto judgethepastbypresentdaystandards.However,weshould–andmust–

learnfromit”–JamesBoyer”112. “Ilearnedalot&feellikethiscampushasmuchmoretogrow.Wecanonlygoupfromhere.

9/7/17”113. “Iwassurprisedbyhowstronglyactivistswhowecanseewereclearlyontherightsideof

historycouldexpressandactontheirprogressivevalues,even in the1930s.”114. “RacismisnotasbigofaprobleminAmericatoday.Facts.”115. “It’s justhiddenandmore insidious.”(Inresponseto114)116. “Youcrazybro!!”(Inresponseto114)117. “ummmm….Notsureaboutthis.Think it isstillbig issue!!”(Inresponseto114)118. “Sad!”(In responseto114)119. “Nottrue! If thatwasthecase,whyCharlottesvillerallyhappened?”(Inresponseto114)120. “Youhavepoint-blatantracismsuchasthatinthisexhibitismorerarenow,butracism

definitelystillexists”(In responseto114)121. “Butthefightisn’toveruntilracismISN”TaproblemATALL”(Inresponseto114)122. “Greatexhibitw/historical information.Though lawsare inplace toeliminatesegregation, it still

happensbasedonpeoples’bias judgements.We,peoplehavetochangeourmindset inordertofullyacceptothers&haveequality.”

123. “Coffman”Unionmustbe renamed to“Ford”Union”124. “ThankyoufortellingthefactsofUofMHistory.Good,Bad,&Uglu.L’Chaim!”

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125. “12/13Exhibit shouldacknowledge the JacobinClub-anon residential fraternity thathad the

practiceofwelcoming Jews–ElizabethShippeewidowofWarnerShippee”126. The1960’s/wasaredoof1920’s &1930’sstudentprotestsagainstracismandwar”127. “Whywere thesebuildingsnamedafter thesepeople!?”128. “Asanalumnus&currentstaffmember, I supportrenamingcampusbuildingsandmore

awarenessofourUniversitys’history–ANDwork toaddressdiscrimination thatexists today.Thankyou forcreating thisexhibit!”

129. “RENAMECOFFMANSHOWSTUDENTS SOMECHANGEFORONCE”130. “Takentogether,all thisevidence isprettyshowing. Iwonder,though,whichsidewewouldbe

onifwehadbeenthere?”131. “#RENAMECOFFMAN! Itseemstomethatmanyoftheseschool leaderswouldgetalong

beautifullywithTrump.AsaJew,awoman,andanactivist, it is incrediblydisappointinghowslowthisschoolwastoacceptingeveryone.Iappreciatethepeoplewhostoodupfortheirrightsandwewillcarryontheir legacy.”

132. “Unlesswechange thenameswearebasically supporting their thoughts&actions”133. “Pretty cool,more pictures, less paperwork”134. “Whitepeopleareaminorityontheworldscale”(Crossedoutwithpenciland“stupid”written

over it)135. “Buttheycontrolmostofthepower&resources”(Inresponseto134)136. “No”(Inresponseto134)137. “Studentactivismnotjustfit inhalls,butneedsustoholdspaceascommunitythroughthe

conflict.Needsgreater transparency fromseatedpowerand lessdisciple (ie lawsuits,explusions,etc)forstudentswhocontinuetoprotest&advocateforthecampustheyenvision–ademocraticspace.”

138. “Letstudentsvote,democracy in thestudents is important.Let the studentsdecide.”139. “Pleasedonotbelievethatrenamingbuildings issufficientaction–muchmorediscussion is

needed to address theses,ofthidden,historic inequities.”140. “Greatexhibit.Know (His)toryknowself”141. “Verywell-done. Long live theMinnesotaDaily!”142. “WhoknewtheUofMwasoncerunbyracistbigots??”143. “Idonotbelieveweneedtorenameanyofthebuildings.Tobehonest,Ibelievethatwouldbe

ignoringhistory. It’s likewe’dbepushing itundertherug. Instead,thesebuildingsareaconstantreminderofhowweasaschoolandacountrycanimprovefromwhereweoncewere,andstillcontinueimproving.”

144. “Whenwillwe learnthe lessonsofhistory?”145. “History always teaches us something!!!”146. “WishIknewaboutallofthisbeforeIattendedtheUofM.AfricanAmericanstudentsstill

continue to face struggleswithwhite students& instructors.#wakeupeveryone!!”147. “Darknesscannotdriveoutdarkness;only lightcandothat.Hatecannotdriveouthate;only

lovecandothat.Youareloved!!–JoshMoe”148. “This isthekindofexhibitthatmakesmeappreciatetheworkofhistoriansevenmore.Thank

you!”149. “Lolwestillhave issuesw/invitingNazistospeakoncampus.”150. “Whatmorecouldstudentsdo ifwekeptthishistoryphysically&mentallycenter?”

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151. “Kalter(&regents,&University)needsto takeastrongerstanceagainstracism,white

supremacy, thought-provoking, interesting exhibit, especially concerning student activism; hopefulfor now/future”

152. “Namebuildingsafter thealumniwehonor!!”153. “Weneed to renamebuilding!Startw/Coffmanandrename itCecilNewmanStudentCenter

andworkourway towardsrenamingotherbldgs.”154. “Very compelling and thought provoking exhibit!!University leadershipneeds to consider

renamingbuildingsbecauseofpoorpracticesofpast leaders.”155. “ArnoldB.WalkerSadthatmorefollow-upandphotowasnotfoundoutaboutthisstudent

R.B.”156. “Rename Coffman Rename Middlebrook”157. “HowaboutabuildingnamedafterRegentGeorgeB.Leonard!”158. “Examinewhatwe’redoingtodaythatmaybeviewedinthefuturelikeweseethisworkin

2017”159. “Almosteveryone is“excluded” in someway.Whileyoumayperceivemeas“included”because I

amwhite, I have a disability that is notphysically observable& have faced barriers due to it. You donotknowaperson’sexperienceunlessyouhavewalkedamile intheirshoes.”

160. “Theuniversityhas to stopviewing inclusion from theperspectiveof thosealready included!”161. “Idon’tseeproofthatCoffmanwastheculprit.Hestatesin1930thatnostudentshadaskedfor

integratedhousing.Onlystatementofhis.Fordcorrectedpolicies.Coffmanreturnedtooffice beforehediedanddidnotoverturnFordschanges.”

162. “LakeCalhounisnomore–It istimetoremovethesemensnamesfromourcampusbuildings”163. “Idon’t thinkanythingneedstoberenamed,butrathereveryoneshouldbecome informedand

have thosenamedservea reminders forpaststruggles.”164. “CrazyhowPresidentCoffmandenieddiscriminationat theuniversitywhenhewas theperson

discriminating”165. “Nameacampusbuilding for JohnWrightstudentprotestor&advocate forBlackStudies”166. “Whydon’twehavethisexhibit inamoreprominentbuilding?MaybeCMU!?”167. “Idon’tcareifthebuildingsarerenamedornot–thenameshavejustbecomenamesnow,with

littletonopresentdayconnectiontothosetheywerenamedafter”168. “Renamebuildings!”169. “Thisexhibit shouldbeextending tocurrent times.”170. “Isupportthe ideaofmakingthisapermanentdisplay inthestudentunion.”171. “Whitepeopledononeedawhitestudentunion–theworld isalreadywhite.”172. “SANKOFA– look itup…”173. “LOVEDthisexhibit.EVERYONE attheUneedstoseeit.Whatacriticalpieceofourhistory…

andit livesoninsomeofourmostprominentcampusbuildings.ItmademethinkmorenotonlyabouthowAfricanAmericanandJewishstudentscancometogetheroncampus,butalsohowothergroupssuchasMuslim,LGBT,andLatina students/UMNcommunitymemberscancreateand joinallyship. Italsomademethinkmoreaboutthe importanceofthestudentvoice inadministrativedecisions,andItrulyhopethat70orsoyearsfromnowthereisnotacampus-wideexhibitonhowour current campus acted despicably.”

174. “Cavscamebackfroma3-1lossinthefinalsCoffmancan’tdothat!”

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175. “Symbolicgesturesarenice,butrealchangesaremoremeaningful.TheUcan’t forget itspast

byplacatingstudentswitha fewanamechanges.”176. “Anexampleofwhypoliticalspeechoncampusshouldn’tbecensored–except incaseswhere

people’sphysicalsafety isatrisk”177. “Wonderfulexhibit! IamcamefromSanFranciscotosee it.WonderfultoseemyunclesLee

LoevingerandRobertLoevingerwere leadersasstudents. I learneda lot.Unfortunatelywearestillstuggling. Susan Sanford.”

178. “Importantpeople fromtheeastwereracistandonlycaredwhen it impactedthem?Colormeshocked.Thestoryneverchanges just thenamesand faces.”

179. “WENEEDAKINGObamaforKing.”180. “Nameafter LeonardBreslow&HeleneHilyer!!!!!”181. “Rename the buildings”182. “#RENAMETHEBUILDINGS #ALUMNIWEHONOR#PINKETTMEMORIALUNION183. “Thankyousomuchforthisthoughtfulpresentation.Theuniversityhasmany issuesto faceyet

tocome, Istrongly recommendtheboardofregents&PresidentKalertoengagew/students184. “Thewaswonderfullyput together.Thankyou fordrawing light to theunderrepresented

throughoutourhistory. I’dgladlycomebackforasimilarexibit!”185. “Whenwill theUrenameCoffmanUnionandMiddlebrook?Those2buildingsataminimum

shouldbe renamed.RachelLewine,A Jew.”186. (Arrowofsupport for185).187. “#Rename COFFMAN #Rename MIDDLEBROOK”188. “Retweet” (In response to187)189. “RENAMEBUILDINGS.FIREKALER.HIREALLNEWBOARDOFREGENTS.ACCOUNTABILITY FOR

HATE SPEECH.”190. “8/21/17Excellentexhibit. IwasnotawarethatsuchmajorUofMinn.Administratorsas

Coffman&Nicholsonwereso involved in racism,anti-semitism,& thesuppressionofdissent.Theexhibitdemonstrateshow in troubled&conflict-filled times,suchdarkcurrentmight flourish.”

191. “IwassurprisedmostbydiscoveringEricSevereid’spoliticalroots,andalsothedepthofresistance toentering“thegreatwar”untilPearlHarborThanks.

192. “Totheadministration:Stopacting like it’scomplicated.Changethenames!Whatdoyouwanttobe remembered for?”

193. “Myhandsweretoodirtytobeadentalhygienist”194. “Makes you think…”195. “TrumpremindsmeofCoffey”196. “Veryimportantexhibit.Onehopesthatwecanlearnfromitat local&national levels”197. “Whatagreatdisplayofhonesty.MyNorwegiancousin is impressed.Changethenameof

CoffmanUnion.R Frazer.”198. “CoffmanUnion=CrumpUnion”199. “Exactly this” (In responseto198)200. “Doubleyes!” (In responseto198)201. “Yup!”(In responseto198)202. “CrumpUnion!” (In response to198)203. “Kaler!Nowchange thehalls”

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204. “Iwasquiteshockedattheexhibit. Iwasnotevenremotelyawareofsuchstudentactivism

againstadministrativesuppression inaperiodwheremygrandparentswerealiveandacouple inMinnesota. Itreallyshowsthedeepdivideourcampushistoricallyhasandneedstobeconsideredand discussedmoving forward.”

205. Renamethebuildings for thepeoplewhoadvocatedagainst the racismandanti-Semitism”206. “KarlMarx isbae”207. “Thepowerofdiversitywillalwaysunitethepeople.This isanewperspectivethatwillopenthe

eyesofothers.”208. “Servesasagoodreminderastohowthingswereandhowfarwe’vecome.Theexhibitshould

remindallofustobuildontheprogressthatwe’vemadeandkeepfightingforprogressivevalues.”209. “TheU isSTILLsuppressingstudentactivism&protest!!This isnotjustahistoricalexhibit, it’s

thepast,present,andfutureofthiscampusifthereisnodrasticchange!FireKaler&RenameCoffman!”

210. “Asan institutiontheUMNhasdonea jobwelldoneatacknowledging itsracistandanti-Semiticroots. ItshouldcontinuetoprogressingrenamingCoffmantoanalumthatfoughtforactivismandequity

211. “In considering the renamingofCoffmanUnion,perhapsotherbuildings, consider thesimilarities&differenceswith the issueofremovingconfederatemonuments& themythof“preservinghistory”vs the realityofhonoring/glorifying someonewhowenowbelieve shouldnotbe.Also consider thepossibilityofkeeping thename,butproviding interpretivematerial (permanent indoors&out)thatprovidesthe“truth”.This isthereal learningopportunity&couldbeasustained (?)one.”

212. “WatchanOctoberepisodeof“ThisWeekTonight”withJohnOliverforanindepthlookatthepreservinghistory vs glorification (&otherarguments) related to the confederatemonument issue.”(Continuation from 211).

213. “InterestinghowCoffmanon level1holdsalltheminoritygroupsand isnotsegregatedyet,thebuilding isnamedafteramanwhobelieves insegregation.”

214. “Let’smaybe renameCoffmanUnion,yeah?AndMiddlebrook&others?Cool (Smiley face).”215. “Itwassurprisingtoseehowraciallysegregatedouruniversitywasvswhere it istoday.”216. “Antifa unite!”217. “Antifaaredomestic terroristshoney…” (In response to216)218. “’Honey’ isdismissive.Try listening.” (In response to217)219. “Perhapstheyare irrationalandare thinking literally” (In response to218)220. “MOVEEXHIBIT TOAMORECENTRALIZED LOCATION!!!”221. “SHOWALLOFCAMPUS!”(Inresponseto220)222. “Move it toCoffman#renamecoffman”(In response to220)223. “Disquieting”224. “SadthatourbelovedCoffmancomesfromthisguy (frowny face)”225. “Thisexhibit isso important. Itwashelpfulto learnthishistoryandcharthow itmanifests

physicallyoncampus.Italsobringsto life legaciesofracism&antisemitismwediscussinclassesbepervade everyday interactions.”

226. “#RENAMECOFFMAN”227. “IamfromAustriaandI findthisutterlydisturbing…Mysuggestionwouldbetorename

Coffman hall”

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228. “RENAME THESE BUILDINGS”229. “…KEEP PROTESTING” (Continuation of 228)230. “Historycannotbechanged.Though theseadministratorsactedagainstwhatwe think is right,

theywereacting inthecontextoftheirowntime.Buildingnames&memorialsshouldremain.”231. “Perplexing thatthemostexclusivedormoncampus isnamedafteran individualwhopushed

forwhiteelitism&segregation.”232. “Iworkinabldg.namedafteranovertracistWalterCoffey”233. “Thoughtful,welldoneexhibit& instructivebutalso frighteningQ.WhovettedCoffey?Q.DrW.

Mayoasaregent?234. “Somanyadminswereobsessedwithkeepingdormitories “white”.That racismwashorrifying

thenandnow”235. “ThisshouldbepartofrequiredtrainingforCAsandHallDirectors”236. “Reparations for black students”237. “Weneedtoandcandobetter..”238. “I’mhonestlyshockedthattherehasn’tbeenmoredialogueaboutthis inthepast.Whilethis

willforeverbeapartofourpast,weshouldall learnfromthisandworktowardsabetterfuturefortheU!”

239. “Eyeopening exhibit. Rename buildings named after racists& anti-Semites!!!”240. “RenameCoffman!Andexplainwhy it shouldbe renamed!”241. “RenameCoffman!?”242. “Let’s renameCoffman to “studentunionMcUnion”243. “OhhellyeahweneedtorenameCoffman!!”244. “Thankyou!Forhistorynotremembered isdoomedtobe repeated.”245. “Imwiththepeoplewhowantthebuildingsrenamed!!! Idon’tevengohere!COFFMANWASA

BADDOOD!!–SouthHigh”246. “Thosewhocannotrememberthepastarecondemnedtorepeat it.”247. “Youarenot forgotten.Smash fascismworkersUNITE!!!” (Drawingofhammerandsickle)248. “Thankyouforshiningalightonthisperiod–boththebraveryofstudentsandtherealityof

administrativeactions.Wemustknowourpast tostop repeating it.”249. “Kalerneeds to condemnwhite supremacy”250. “&Middlebrook” (In reference tounknown)251. #give communismamodern chance252. “YouknowyoucanchangeCoffman’sName.Whyhaven’tyou?253. “Wemustlearnfromthepast.Unfortunatelythewhitehouseisadivisive,racist,andanti-

Semiticgroup..theydonotcare,butwewillprevail!”254. “Great exhibit, meaningful, informational, powerful”255. “Think,make exhibit permanent, rename offending halls.”256. “It’stime forachange…renameCoffman.”257. “Dead lord renameCoffman”258. “Thisexhibitneedsapermanent,publichome.”259. “Thiswasanewexperienceforme.I learnedthingsthatIdidn’tknowbefore,abouthowthings

usedtobe.”260. “#notallhistory ispretty”261. “Ironicalltheculturalcentersare inCoffman–changeitnow”

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262. “Let’snotnamebuildingsafterpeople?Meaningsofactions change throughouthistory!”263. “Renamingisnottheanswer. It’s importanttospreadawareness&reflectonourpastnot just

coverupthebadthingsthathappenedbyrenaming it.”264. “Ymdaehstruh,yhwsititahtnisihtyaddnaegamsicarsillitsamelborp.Thisiswritten

backwards to expressmy thoughts”“Myheadhurts,whyisitthatinthisdayandageracismisstillaproblem”

265. “RenameCoffmanUnion to Crump [Charlotte]Union!”266. “Rejecttheworld,butstill“live”intheworld”267. “Rename these buildings!”268. “Wemustn’tusethisexhibitto justifyhate–regardlessofwhoit’sagainst”269. “Makenomistake–therewereanti-Semiticelements intheanti-warmovement inthe30s”270. “Renamebuildingswithnewhistoricalnames–not inmemoriamofpeoplewhodiscriminate”271. “#renameCoffman”272. “Rename Coffman Union”273. “RENAME”274. “Thankyou–whataneyeopeningexhibit.SofascinatingtoseehowtheUhaschanged”275. “WeneedmoreHISTORYmajors!”276. “Excellentandpowerfulexhibition!Theprimarydocumentsare especially chilling to see.”277. “Greatexhibit!Weneed to renameCoffmanandNicholson!”278. “#RenameCoffman”279. “MovetheexhibitaroundtheU”280. “Iwish Icould learnmoreonspecificactionsaboutanti-communism&specificdetailsabout

communistmovementattheUofM.Otherwise,thankyouforthisvery interesting&timelyexhibition.”

281. “Westillhavealongwaytogo”282. “2true”(Arrowofsupportto281)283. “Wemustworkhardtoremainconsciousthattheseevilpoliciesof longago,whilegone,

continue to subconsciously impactus.”284. “#RenameCoffman”285. “Ihopeotheruniversitiesstartprojects like this”286. “#RenameCoffman”287. “Required reading for deans, deptheads,directors, andother admin/positional leads.”288. “History always repeats itself”289. “History repeats itself… #RenameCoffman” (In response to 288)290. “ThecampusagitatorMarxistJews-theirmemory isablessing–NealLoevinger(sonof

Robert)”291. “Theparallels between the events then& today are overwhelming.Who’s (his)tory is told is a

questionwemust always ask ourselves.Hopefully this exhibitwill help us to take a critical look at(his)torysowecanhaveabetterfutureforall!”

292. “Ifwewantstudentsofcolortofeelwelcomeoncampus,ifwewanttodenouncethisawfulhistory, renaming these buildings is crucial.”

293. “Thiswaseye-openingand interesting. Iwish Isawmorestudentshere. Iappreciate thisexhibitbeingfreeandeasilyavailabletostudents,asalways it isagreat learningexperience.”

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294. “Greatresearchofthispainfulhistoryofracism&anti-Semitismatthisuniversity–Timeto

revisitthenames&tohonorthosewhoengagedtochangethecourseofevents.”295. “Echos today.”296. “*echoes” (In response to295)297. “Scarytoseehowfamiliarthissoundstousnow.Historydoesn’trepeatbutitoftenrhymes!

“KeepAmericanAmericans”?? “MakeAmericaGreatAgain”?? Let’s learn fromourmistakes!Greatexhibit!” (In response to296)

298. “Everyonewhoputthis togethershouldbeproud.Andeveryadministratorwhodoesn’t takeaction shouldbe ashamed.”

299. “Rename Middlebrook Hall”300. “DefinitelymakesmeseeaneedfortheUtopubliclymemorializethosewhofoughtforequality

here…”301. “Viewingthisexhibit intheweekafterneoNazismarchedatauniversity&killedan innocent

personwas incrediblypowerful.Thisexhibitcouldnotbemore timely,careful,orengaging.Thankyou.”

302. “Changethebuildingnames!TheNorth isnotexcusedoftherequirementtoadmonishourracistpast.Clarify thebalancebetween freespeech& fostering racism.”

303. “Ithink it isreally importanttobeopenaboutouruniversity’shistoryandlearnfromit.”304. “It’svery interestingtomehowthehistory ispreserved.Comingfromthecountrywherethe

historyhasneverreallyrevealedandhaschangedaccordingtotherulinggovernment, it isagreatsurpriseandamazingthingtoknowUofMcanshowitsbadhistoryasa lesson-learned.Thanksfortheexhibit!Stillwonderwhysomebuildingsoncampusarenamedafterracistpresidentsandadministrators.”

305. “I greatly enjoyed the exhibit – theUniversity ofMinnesota champions its diversity and forward-thinking, yetmost of its education and residence halls are named after deadwhite racists. Definitelymademereconsiderthe identityoftheUandlearnmoreof itshistory.”

306. “It’dbeinterestingtolookatthestudentrightsfromthe30sandcompareittothecampusfreespeech debate now…might invoke similar questions/discussion.”

307. “Very interestingto learnabouthistorywiththewarandsegregationandwhywasthedecisionto nameCoffmandecided??”

308. “This isagreatexhibitshowingthehistoryoftheU& itsnarrativeoncampus/nationalclimate.Thesameshitcontinuestohappennow&manystudentshaveaVERYdifferentexperiencethattheUtendstopromoteandshovedownourthroats.WehavetwodifferentcampusesandIdon’tmeanMinneapolis/St. Paul location,but in experiences. Same shit, different time.”

309. (Notewritten inHebrew)310. “While I agree thatwe should rename buildings, what should come first: confronting the racial,

sexual,and religiousbarriersputup inoursociety,and tobe sureaman likeTrump isneverelectedagain. Peace.”

311. “Thankyou!!Apowerfulexhibitthatdetailstherealityofbeingaminority–whetherreligiousorracial.Itisalsofascinatinghowtheanti-warfervor(?)&thehousingissuesseemtobe “independent”ofoneanother.“No intersection”. (?) toRivEllen&Sarah.”

312. “Theuniversity is veryhypocritical…very liberalandwantconfederates takendown,howevernames important buildings after racists??”

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313. “Thankyou forthis informative–shockingandatmomentsdevastating todeadexhibit.Grateful

totheactivistswhofoughtthe“powersthatbe.”314. “Start heating Sanford”315. “Worryingaboutuncomfortable rather thanwhat is just”316. “Greatexhibits– twocomments:1)Coffmanandotheradministratorswerepresentedas two

dimensionalantagonists.Did theydonothingofgoodduring theirtenure?2) Itwouldhavebeenhelpful tounderstandbetterwhatdrove the anti-communists andanti-activist administrators.DidtheybelieveWesternDemocracywasunder assault?”

317. “itwascoolbeans”318. “Keep thenamesbutaddplaquesdetailing their racistactions.”319. “Rt”(Inresponseto318)320. “Lowertuition”(Inresponseto319and318).321. “Thankyou for theexhibition!!!Asan internationalstudent, I found this topicextremely

interesting(andamusing )andenlightening!”322. “This is very disturbing but far from surprising. Racism& ignorance lies in this campus everyday,

I also am disturbed that no-one has thought about changing the namesof these buildings, especiallyCoffman.–Thankyou!”

323. “#RenameCoffman Iwasunderthe impressionthatsinceCoffmanMemorialUnion issuchabusybuilding, thatthenameassociatedwithmustbehighly regarded,howeverknowingthatheandNicholsonevenattemptedtosuppressfirstamendmentrights(?)thestudentbodysaysa lot.”

324. “Echoestoday–conservativespeakersacross theU.S.arebeing forcedoutof theconversationñ majorprotestsandphysicalviolencemeetanyrightwing idea–radicalornot.”

325. “This isagreatexhibitthehistoryshouldbereflected ineachofthenamedbuildings.Removingnameswill erase history.”

326. “Ifind itso interestingthatwewouldreallyknownothingabouttheracistactsadministratorsexecutedifnotforthisexhibit.It’strulysadthatthiskindofstuffissohiddenfromthepubliceye…#RenameCoffman”

327. “Amongmanyotherpointsmade inthisexhibit, IamstruckhowJews&AfricanAmericansworkedtogethertoaddress injustices.And itmakesmesadhowthatrelationshiphasturnedsour inrecent decades.”

328. “#RENAMECOFFMAN”329. “RenameMoostoo-whoevercaused theMorrillHall takeover– refusing tomeetw/African

Americans forAAhistoryandotherprogram.”330. “Iamsoproudthattheyputofthisexhibit.Weneedtoacknowledgeouruglyhistoryorelsewe

forget it,while its insidious influence remains.ThebuildingsnamedafterCoffman,Nicholson,andthe likemustberenamed.Nottoerasetheirhistory,buttocorrectthehistorythatthoughtweshouldmemorializetheirnamesinthefirstplace.IwanttoeatinPinkettHall,studyinWrightHall,andresearch inCrumpHall instead.–MajelBakergradstudent.”

331. “WhyisCoffmanUnionstillnamedafteraracist,antisemite?”332. “Didn’tknowwhereCoffmangot itsname…probably should rename that.”333. “RenameCoffman”334. “Thisexhibit shouldbe inCoffmanUnion”

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335. “ThankyousomuchforbringingthisexhibittotheU!This isso important,especiallywith

everythingthathasbeenhappening,andIhopeallstudentsandfacultygetthechangetoseethese.#renamecoffman.”

336. “Ichallengetheadministratorsto lookatthishistoryand lookattoday’s“policiesandprocedures”.The languagehaschanged fromthe30s-40sbuttheactionsandresultsarestillpresent/occurringnow.Racism&exclusionpracticesstillexisttodaywhenwethingofwhat is inthestudents best interest.”

337. “#RenameCoffman”338. (Drawingofaheartissupportto337)339. “Thebuildingsthatpossessnamesofthepastshouldreflectourgoalsand interestsofthe

present, if theydon’t, change them.”340. “Unitedwestand–SP”341. “Uppity transwomen throw the firstbricks.” (Sticker)342. “ImpressivetoseethewholepictureoftheU.andfamouspeople.”343. “Ineverknewthehorribleactsshowninthisexhibitwentontotheextenttheydid.Thisexhibit

wasvery informative& reflects today’spolitical issues.”344. “Thediversityatthisschool iswhatmakesusunique.LOVEDtheexhibit.”345. “It’sreallyatrendthatpeopletalkabouttheycanembracethediversity,butactuallythe

differentcultureand languageblock thepossible,andmostofthepeoplecannotwalk fromtheircomfortzone.HavinganAsianorBlackpeople inyourclass isnotyou’reembracingthem!”

346. “Rename Coffman Hall”347. “Thesearestarkexamplesofovertdiscrimination froma recentpast– theseabsolutelyshould

beused to support theevidence thatminoritiesareunder-supportedoncampus.”348. “#RenameCoffman–Thefirststeptoafuturewithmoreequality.”349. “Theuniversity isalsoonDakota land!!#RenameCoffmanWemustacknowledge thesepasts

and truths.”350. “Itmakesmethinkabouthowwearesupposedtoblindlyacceptthenamesofthebuildingsall

overcampus.Howdoesthisrepresenthowwerememberandthinkabouttheseaccentstoday?”351. “Thisexhibitshines lightontothebullshitofpoliticsandbureaucracy.Thescarypart isthat I

recognizemanyparallels toour livesoncampusnow.”352. “Scaryhowfarwehavecomeandhowquicklywecanreturn!Thisisexhibitispartofthefight

for equality.”353. “Sadly,stillmanyparallels–“problem”ofpeopleofcolor,etc.–entitlementsthreateningp.o.c

astheydon’tbelonghere.”354. “Please, change the building names.”355. “Entitled racist students treatemployeesbad–nohelp fromsupervisors.”356. “Giveusoptions fornewnames!”357. “Great job,RivEllen!”358. “Thisexhibitportrayed thepowerwhitepeoplepossess. I’veenjoyedcoming tocampus,not

knowingathingaboutitspast.Itgoestoshowyoucanhideanythingifyou’vegottherightskincolor.#RenameCoffman.”

359. “Someofthecampusbuildingsshouldberenamedassomeofthemajorpeople inourhistorycertainlydon’tdeservetohavesomethingnamed in theirhonor.”

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360. “Iwishmorepeopleknewaboutourhistory.While I’mgladwecelebratediversity,our

university’spath isnothingtobeproudof.Amazingexhibit.”361. “ThankGodwehaveprogressed.KnowingthatUMNwasonceahatefulplacetowardsrace

bafflesme.We remember thesemenonbuildings,why?”362. “Welcominganaziwhenweknowtheyweretreatingtheircitizensbadly.”363. “Whenthepowerof loveovercomestheloveofpower- thentheworldshallknowpeace.”364. “Please consider re-naming the buildings.”365. “IwillneverseeCoffman,Nicholson,orMiddlebrookthesameway.Weneedtorenamethem

aftersomeofthe“Alumniwehonor”.”366. (Arrowofsupportto365)367. “RenameCoffman– Share thisexhibit statewide.”368. “Myroommate is Jewish.Seeingthesenames&knowingtheiractionsarehorrific.Pardonmy

French–butitstimeforafuckingchange.”369. “#RenameCoffman”370. “Maybebigger issuesthanthenameofbuildingsfaceus?”371. “Protect freedomof Press!”372. “Thisperspective isonethatsoimportantandveryoverlooked.Weneedto learnfromour

mistakesandmoveon fromthese injustices.”373. “TeardownBaileyHall”374. “Rename fortheHeros, theFordStudentUnion!”375. “WealreadyhaveFordHall,so thiswouldbetooconfusing,especiallysincethetwobuildings

areclosetogether.”(Inresponseto374).376. “I lovehistory.Thishasbeenanamazingexperienceforme!Thankyou!”377. “Renameall thebuildings thathonor the legacyof racism/anti-Semitism, facism.”378. “Ithink it’s importanttorememberthateveryplacehasahistorywhich involvesdifferent+and

ñ associations.Theseprofoundexperiencesofdiscriminationhappened inMinnesota.We like tothinkofourselvesas liberal“MinnesotaNice”butevenwecan looktheotherwaywhileourfriends&neighborsarepersecuted.History is relevant!”

379. “ThirdyearattheU,firsttimeknowingthetruth.IthinkweshouldhavethisexhibitatCoffmanUnion.”

380. “Thisgivesanewlighttohowthiscampuscametobeasprogressiveasitistoday,givestheheros the recognition theydeserve for transforming thisschool for thebetter.”

381. “Notonly just intheUofM,butthesediscriminatory issuesandexclusionagainstcoloredstudentshouldbetalkedaboutinotherUniversitiesaswell.Thereneedstobechange.”

382. “An outstanding exhibit! -Overdue, -Excellent selection, -Beautifully curated.”383. “RenameCoffman, display this exhibitpermanently. Invest in ethnic studies.”384. “Beautiful important work.”’385. “There isanonlineversionofthisgreatexplorationofUMNracialhistory!

Acampusdivided.umn.edu”386. “BravoforUofMtoputtogetheranexhibitoutlining itsdarkspots.Hopefullytheycanlearn

fromthisexhibithownot todiscriminatemoving forward.”387. “Where isanythingonNatives?NoNative students?”388. “Leplusçachange,lepluslemêmechose(themorethingschange,themoretheystaythe

same).”

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389. “RenametheCoffman,Coffey,Middlebrook,Nicholsonbldgs.Now.Notonemorepennywill I

donatetoUMifaction isn’ttaken.”390. “RenameCoffmanMemorial.Whatanastyman!”391. “RenameCoffman!”392. “Whathavewe learned??? I’mafraidwearegoingbackwards☹ ”393. “It issad,butwestilltellsomestudentsthatsomedisciplinesaretoohardforthem.”394. “AnneBlitzwastheDoloresUmbridgeoftheUofM!!☹ ”395. “AMEN”(Arrowofapproval to394)396. “AndCoffmanwasVoldemort” (In response to394)397. “Weneedtoshedmorelightonourengrainedracismtoturnawayfromthishistoryof

exclusion.”398. “SAD”399. “Perhapstheuniversityshould takea lesson fromthemiddle-schoolstudentsatJusticePage in

SouthMinneapolis.Theyhad thesense,knowledge,andconviction topetition thenamechangeofRamseyMiddleSchool.Appalledattheirschoolbenamedafteramanresponsible forthehangingof38Dakotamen.Takeastand!”

400. “Would lovetoseethisupdatedforcurrenttimes.Weshouldrevisitnamesofbuildingsoncampustoo.Somuchhistorynooneknowsabout.”

401. “Whataboutwomen?Theywerecertainlydiscriminatedagainst– thenandsometimesnow.”402. “Revisitnamesofbuildingsnow.Publiclyacknowledge thehistoryandchange thenamesto

thoseofharmedstudentsthat ledthefightforequity.Also–fundtheChicanoStudiesDep.”403. “Greatexhibit!Wouldbegreattoshareon line!!Thankyou–enjoyedverymuch!!”404. “Theechosoftodayareamazing.Thankyou!”405. “Trulyanothertimethatwemustbandtogethertofightwhatweseeasunjust.Agreatexhibit

leavinga lottocontemplate.”406. “Coffman isabastardman.”407. “This!Hesoisabastardman”(Inresponseto406).408. “Fantasticexhibit–startlingtoseemuchterriblethingsfromourrecentpastandsee

connections topresentday.Pleaseconsiderputting this inCoffmanUnion!”409. “SooftenwethinkoftheU.S.beingaheroduringWWII.Thisbringsrealityandlightonthose

whoweren’tasheroicamongus.”410. “Itwasawesomereadingandseeinghowfarwehavecomeinoursociety)411. “ThankyouThis shoulduppermanently shouldpublicizemore”412. “RENAMECOFFMAN”413. “Fromthisexhibit I learnedthatweasaneducational institutionhidebehindeducationas

“equalopp”butoppose “equality everywhereelse.”414. “AsanAmerican JewwhoseancestorssurvivedHitler’swrath, it’s terriblyunsettling toseethe

complacencyand indifference that theU’s administratorsemployed to skirt student resistance.Andatatimewhenourleaderwishestomakeus“GreatAgain”Ifearthisexhibitisevermoresalient.”

415. “Thisexhibitshouldbe ineverybuildingoncampus! Isowishthat ispossible.Everybuildingfounded inoppressionshouldhaveastatementregarding itshistory!Thisuniversitycan’tberelievedofitspastasaneducationinstitution!Sothankyouforyourwork inadvocatingforthehistories that are systemically silenced!”

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416. “Itwasshockingtoreadwhathadhappenedback inthe1930s.Thebuildingsshouldbe

changed.”417. “Weshould renameCoffmanoutof respect for theblackcommunitywhowerediscriminated

against.”418. “Changethenames.Thisisnotapartofourhistorythatweshouldbeproudofor

commemorate inanyway.Namethemaftersomeoftheactivists.”419. “Not renaming Coffman&Middlebrook supportswhite supremacy!”420. “Thankyoufordoingthiswork.PleaseKeepdoing it.Weneedmoreexhibits likethistoconfront

our history. I support re-naming buildings, reparations.”421. “Sounds likea“HouseofCards”showwithChase,Nicholson&Bellworkingtogether.Crazyspy

times.”422. “It isessentialUMNthinksaboutwhat it stands for.Renamingbuildingsnamedafteroppressive,

racistindiv&ideologywouldsendamessage&startconversationsthatweneedtobeanti-racistabouthistoric&current racism& the transformationalchangeneeded.”

423. “Shouldwekeepthenamesandexposethemforwhotheyreallywere?”424. “Exposethemmorepublicly&thenrenamethem”(Inresponseto423)425. “SadtoknowthedividedhistoryofwhatIbelieve isaverydiverseuniversity, it’sobviousthat

giventhecurrentstateofourcountry,westillhavealotofworktodo.SKIUMAH!”426. “AddpiecesofthisexhibittotheHeritageGallerysoitcanbemorepermanent&presentto

educateothersandownthefullhistory.”427. “9/29/17 Iamabsolutelyastonishedby theamongofhatredandbigotry thatthisuniversity

functionedwith forsomanyof itsmost influentialyears. Ifwewantconfederatestatuesremovedbutdon’t changeourselves,we’renobetter.”

428. “Rename Coffman!Maybe Sevareid”429. “Getridof ‘Coffman’”430. “Incredibly insightfulexhibit.TheUofMshouldmakeastrong,publicstatementbychanging

thenamesofCoffman,Nicholson,etcHalls…These folksshouldNOTbehonored.”431. “It’s importanttorememberhistory–eventhebadtoacknowledgeawayforward.Keepthe

buildingnamesbuthaveplaques todescribe theirevil sins&discriminatorypractices.”432. “I’msurprisedthatthewomendidn’tdobetter! Inthiseraofconsideringsexualharassmenton

allsides,thisremindsmethatwhitewomen(likeme)easilyslide intoracialdiscrimination.”433. “Thisexhibitshowsuswhatracismlookedlikethen.It’suptoallofustolearnmoreaboutwhat

racism looks likenow– implicitbiasandmicro-aggressions inadditiontoblatanthatredandNazibeliefs.WestillneedabettermoreequitableU.”

434. “SpreadthewordaboutthekindofpersonCoffmanwassomorepeoplewillbeonboardforrenaming Coffman Student Union.”

435. “Excellent,make itpermanentexhibit inCoffmanUnion.Change thenameswith thoseofactivistswhomadeadifference!”

436. “Rename the buildings #rename Coffman”437. “100,000KKKmembers,10,000AfricanAmericans in1920s InMinnesota.Racism is/wasnot

exclusive to thesouth!”438. “RenameCoffman,RenameWilley,RenameNicholson,RenameMoos, Legacyofhatred

continues…”

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439. “Let’srenamethesebuildings inhonorofthosewhofoughtfor justice.Let’salsocontinueto

pushforsocialchange.Wecanallmakeadifference-14Nov2017”440. “Theuniversityshould look intorenaming itsbuildingsand look intohowuniversitypoliceare

used for campusprotests.”441. “Thankfultohavetherealhistoryrevealed!ChangedCMUtoFORD!Takeracistnamesoff

building.”442. “I lovebooks”443. “Don’t lethistory repeat!Diversitywillalwaysunite thepeople.1.”444. “Updatetothe60s&70se.g.repressionofthenewleft(?).445. “Unfortunately–Segregationhasexisted throughoutourhistoryofhuman life.Teach the

childrenallareequal.Youngerthebetter!Maythechild leadtheway!”446. “Honorthestudentsandfacultymemberswhoembodiedthe idealsthatweclaimtostrivefor

today.”447. “#RenameCoffman”448. “Dittotocreatingapermanentexhibitofthis inamorecentral location”449. “Rename Coffman &Middlebrook”450. “Thanksforhighlightingthefactsaroundthehistoryofthiscampus. It is importanttoknowthe

whole story.”451. “Awonderfuleyeopeningexhibit!Hope itcancontinue ina locationpromotinggreater

exposure.Anumberofcampusbuildingsoneedtoberenamed!!P.S.thesordidhistoryofthe30s-40s outragesme!!”

452. “History is repeating itself☹ ”453. “RenameCoffman”454. “#RenameCoffmanWow!Tothinkhow ironicCoffmanMemorialUnion is. It isnamedafterone

whodidn’tsupportracialequality,yetthebuilding isnowoneofthemorewelcomingplacesforstudentsof color”

455. “ThisexhibitshouldbemovedtoCoffmanUnion.Timefornewnames(CoffmanUnion,MiddlebrookHall, CoffeyHall)”

456. “Whereare thehistoryof Latinos,NativeAmericans,& international students?457. “FREETUITION!(sostudentscan learnandhaveconfidentaboutastable future)”458. “Horridandfascinating–wethinkweareenlightenedbutsodidthey.”459. “I’m interested ina follow-upexhibitonAmerican Indianstudents,staff,& facultyatUMN.”460. “WeareonDakotaLand,stolen land☹ ”(Continuationto459)461. “Yes.”(Arrowofsupportto459and460)462. “It’s implicitbut I think theresonancesof today’s racism/Islamophobia,etc. shouldbemade

moreclear–itsalmost90yearslaterbutthesearestillproblems.”463. “Whatsurprisedmethemostwashow longde-segregatinghousingtook.1954wasnotthat long

ago.AlsoshockingwasthetalkfromHansLuther&welcomingtheUnivtoaNaziAmbassador.Ithinkbuildingsshouldberenamedtoportraypeoplewhohadapositiveeffectonthe inclusionofstudentsattheUofM. Itwouldgetoverwhelmingsupports.Anotherwayto fostermoreunificationofstudents istocontinuemakingstatementsoftheU’sstanceondiversity&provideengagement(?) for students towards community activities.”

464. “Coffman,Willey,&Nicholsonmustberenamed.Wecannotallow themtobe immortalized inthisway.Honorthosewhofoughtfor justice.”

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465. “Asan internationalstudent, I feltundersurveillanceduringmyentirecareerby ISSS@theU.

Weneedtoreporteverythingaboutour livesandthatgetsdirectly reportedto ImmigrationServices.”

466. “Whydowevaluetraditionmore thanthe truth?#RenameCoffman”467. “Iwasawareofhousing“covenants” inMpls.Duringthistime,excludingJewsbut Iwas

completelyunawareof theofficiallysanctionedanti-SemitismontheUofMcampus.Thisinformation needsmore publicity!”

468. “The importanceofgoverningoutofreason,notoutof fear.”469. “Please renameCoffmanUnion,WileyHall,NicholsonHall.Thesepeople shouldnotbe

honored.”470. “Whyhasittakensomanyyearsforthisinfotobeputinapublicexhibit?”471. “Rename the buildings”472. “Whyaresomanybuildingsnamedafterracists&anti-Semitistsbutnotafterthepeoplewho

stoodupagainst them?!”473. “Brilliant&disturbingexhibit–historyweallneedtoknow,especiallynowasracism,anti-

Semitism,&keepingsurveillanceareontherisenationally.”474. “Renamethebuildings… it’snot thathard…”475. “Rename the buildings!”476. “THANKYOU!!!3rd generationUofMstudent,andIwillbesharingthelinktothedigitalversion

withmyalumparents/grand-parents. So importantweacknowledgeour failuresand correct themaccordingly #rename all those buildings!”

477. “It’s timetorenameCoffman”478. “Need focus/informationon roleof facultyat this time,esp. Jewishprofessors.”479. “Orientation&1st yearprograms:Ihopemorestudentswillgettoseethis.Makeashortvideo?”480. “I learnedalot!After30yearsonthiscampus,Ineverknewanythingaboutthemenafter

whom thebuildingsarenamed.”481. “RenameCoffey!Iworkedinthatbuildingasastaffandneverknew it’shistory.Weneedtruth.”482. “Make exhibit permanent in Coffman.”483. “Hopetheir illuminatingexhibit leadstheUniv toappointa (?)”484. “Lest we forget #forgivenotforget”485. “Domorethanrenamecampusbuildings!Acknowledgeourpast– itfeels likeweareaboutto

repeat thepast.”486. “Goodexhibitcanyourschoolbegintoreviewthebuildingnamestocreateamorewelcoming

brandat theUniversityofMinn.?”487. “Inoneword,wow.Thosenames shouldholdnohistorical placeonbuildings if the injustices fail

tobebrought to light. Pleasemake this a permanentexhibit! This is too importantof an issue.Goodto look@U’sshortcomings&mistakesandnotrepeatthem!”

488. “Coffman&Coffeyhavenobusinessbeingnear thewords“studentunion””.489. “Ironfirstvs.velvetglove=Past&Present!”490. “It iscooltoseethatactivismstemmingfromcollegestudentshasbeenaroundfora longtime.”491. “Veryenlightening.”492. “Put thisexhibit inCoffman”493. “Co-sign” (Arrowofsupport to492)494. “Itappearswehaven’t learned fromhistory”

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495. “#RenameCoffman”496. “Wehavecomesofar,yetthingstodayseem(sosadly)similar.Iwillcontinuetospreadlove&

light.UMNcandobetter!”497. “RT!”(Inresponseto496)498. “Itsickensmethatwedeigntohonortheseracistswithbuildings”499. “Insomeways,thepoliticaldivisionsandargumentsofthensoundexactly like thoseoftoday.”500. “Racism isnotwelcomeoncampus.”501. “Renamebuildings–perhapshonorthepeoplewhose landwebuilton“whenweknowbetter,

do better””502. “Wherearewe,whiteallies?”503. “#RenamecoffmanWhile Iwasnotasawareof theextentofprofiling,discrimination, silencing,

andothermeansemployedhereoncampusduringthisperiod, Iwasnothonestlysurprised.Minnesota, theuniversityandourcommunityneed toconfront institutionalized racismand itslegacytothisday.Wehavealotofworkyettodo.”

504. “Renamethebuildingstostateanewslate.#RenameCoffman.”505. “Leaders,pleaseusethisopportunitytoreflectoncurrentpoliciesandpositionsattheUsothat

oneday futurestudentsdonot find themselvescompelled to renameyour futurebuildings.”506. “MNStateColleges&Universitiesgroupfromthesystemoffice.Thankyousomuchforallyour

hardworktomakethisexhibitavailabletothepublic.Ibelieve it is importanttofullyengagewithourhistoryandrightasmanywrongsaswepossiblycan–renameeverybuildingandmonumenttoracists/sexists.”

507. “Everyoneshouldknowabout this.Let’sspread theword!”508. “12/20/2017Iwouldhaveneverguessedallofthishistoryhappenedhere… Iamshocked&

can’treallylookattheUthesame.Thankyoufordoingthis&remindingusofhowfarwe’recome,butwestillhaveworktodo!(AlsoRTonrenamingbuilding!)”

509. “Powerful,yetsadthatwe’restillstrugglingwith issuesoffear,hate,etc.Needacleanpagetochangethenameofsomebldgs.!

510. “Soimportant!After4yearsonthiscampusIhadno ideawhothesebuildingswerenamedafterorthattheuniversityhadsucha longhistoryofdiscrimination.Weshouldn’tbeashamedofour pastbutusethestoryasateachingtool.Be informed!”

511. “In this “moment” (hopefully “movement” about sexual harassment, it is crucial thatwe note –and remember – the darker discriminatory past revealed here.Weneed to acknowledge in order toworknottoallowittohappenagain.”

512. “Createamapthattellsthishistoryandthehistoryofstudentactivism,oppressionandracismonourcampus.”

513. “Thisexhibit isgreatforrecognitionofpast issuesthathaveoccurredonourcampus.It isalsogoodtocompareandcontrast theprogressionmadebystudents, staff,and faculty.”

514. “Re/nameandchange thePresidents room inCoffman! (and renamethebuilding,duh)”515. “Freedomofspeechremainsessential right.Mustbedefendedagainstattackby theLeftand

Right.Butnot incitement toattackothers!”516. “Ireceived2degreesfromtheUofM&workedhereasaninstructor&invarious

administrativeroles. It’sshockinganddisappointingto learnof thisuglyhistory. ItseemsclearthatseveralmajorbuildingsMUSTBE RENAMED.”

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517. “Thenamesofthebuildingsareanotherexampleofhowweputpowerfulpeopleona

pedestal.”518. “Make thisa permanentexhibit,please.”519. “Iechothis–makethispermanentexhibit!”(Inresponseto518).520. “Trumpisrepeatingasadchapter inourhistory.Thanksforthisexhibit. Iamprofoundly

disgustedw/Coffman&Coffey.”521. “AmazingExhibit! Thankyou! It’s time to renameCoffman,NicholsonandMiddlebrook!!!

CoffmanUnionshouldbechanged toFordUnion.Hopeto learn fromhistory!!!2017.11.20.”522. “Rename these buildings!”523. “Ifearwearedoomedtocontinuetorepeathistory.”524. “Ithinkthatallofthisanti-Semitismandracismfromalongtimestillgoingonnow.It’sa

struggle toactuallyhave these JewsandAfricanAmericansbewelcomedeverywhere.”525. “Thiswasagreatexhibit.Wehavecomealongwaybutstillhavealongwaytogo.Thisisastep

intherightdirection.”526. “ThankyouDr. YuuchiroOnishi”527. “Idon’t thinkuniversitybuildings shouldbenamedafteradministratorsperiod!”528. “If there ismoneytobuystudentathletesscooters,there ismoneytorenamebuildings!!!!”529. “SurprisedofhowracistCoffmanwasforamanthathashisnameononeoftheschool’smain

buildings.”530. “Remove fascist traitorNicholson’sname from thebuilding.”531. “RenameCoffman,Nicholson!Theuniversity is swimming inhypocrisybykeeping thesenames

whileactingasabastionof21stcenturyprogressivism.”532. “BAD,BADBUILDINGNAMECHOICES!RENAMETHEM!”533. “Bethoughtfulbebrave.There isnothingnewunderthesun.Cultivateeyestoseeandearsto

hearhowtomakethisworldbetter.”534. “Thanks for thiswork!Very interesting. IthelpsplaceTrump’sAmerica incontext.”535. “Ithinkthat it isconcerningthatbuildingsarenamedafterracistsandnoafterthe“honorable

alumni.””536. “How/whydoweallowthis [hate] tocontinue?537. “Racism isstillpresentoftheUofMcampus.Bothstudentsand instructorshavebiastowards

groups of people.”538. “Giveusmore!Welldone.Thankyou.”539. “11/21/17Wonderful, comprehensiveexhibit.Would love to see itbrought forward to span

Korean&Vietnamwars.PrettycertainHooverwhosurveilledusduringVietnamwarprotestsnottomentionDennisBanksandtheTrial–NativeAmericansnotmentionedatallhere.”

540. “Nov2017WEALLBELONGHERE”541. “Wemust learnandhonorthe lessonshistoryteachesus,sowedon’trepeatourmistakes.”542. “Fabulousexhibit.Thanks forbringing thishistory to light.”543. “MymindwasblownbythecontrastingresponsetoLangstonHughesandtheNazidelegate. I

amveryappreciativeof thisexhibitandwould support renamingCoffman,NicholsonHalls.”544. “Crazytobelievethatracism&anti-Semitismstillcontinuetohauntustoday…changethe

building’snames!”

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545. “Leavenamesofbuildings the same,withhistoryof individual’s racism,etc.prominently

displayed.Proofofthefallacyoftheirpolicies ismanifest inthevibrantactivism&diversitypresentoncampus, indormsand in theclassroomscurrently.”

546. “Nationalhistoryday isan importantpartofhistoryatMurrayMiddle.Thishas inspiresmetodoahistorydaytopicontheeventsbetween1930and1942.ItisaverryinterestingpartofAmericanhistory,andIhopethejudgesdotoo!ThanksUofM.”

547. “WhydoIgohere?LowestthingEVER.UofM.”(Drawingofahandingholdingupthemiddlefinger)

548. “IliveinMiddlebrook,andI’mhonestlyscaredofwhatistocomeifacampaigntorenameitgainstraction.Shouldanyonedecidetoprotest,PLEASEdonottake itoutontheresidents.Donotharassusorphysicallyharmus.Weshouldnothavetofactpunishementbecausewewereplacedinabuildingnamedafteraracist.”

549. “Should lookmore intoeugenicsandthe impacttheUMNhadonNaziagenda.”550. “Renamethebuildings‘anameisjustanamebutracistnameisnotaname’.”551. “Didn’tknowUofMsoracist,anti-Semitic.Suggest:Namechanges forbuildings,morehistory

oncampussitestoeducateall.”552. “Thankyou forcreating this! It feelssorelevant toourcurrentpoliticalcontext.Surveillance,

racistbacklash toprogress inObamayears,meddeling inpolitics,extremistgroups…History feelssoclose.Students–youcanmakeadifference!Claimyourpowerandmaketheworldabetterplace!Keepupthefightfor justice!”

553. “Suggest: followup forums toprobe lasting implicationsof thishistory.”554. “FUCKWHITE SUPREMACY”555. “FUCKCOFFMAN!” (In response to554)556. “Happyb-day JoeBiden!!MissyouandPresidentBARACKOBAMA#BroLove4Life11-21-17”557. “JoeBiden42020!!(+EllenDegeneres?)”(Inresponseto556)558. “Fuck Coffman!”559. “FuckDonald Trup”560. “Trump Fuck”561. “Fuck Trump”562. “PunchaNazi??Gopher it!”563. “Fuck thesepeople– renamehalls”564. “Yes”(Inresponseto563)565. “Uplike”(Inresponseto563)

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