Spring Break
University closes doors to Confederate remembrance
Issue date: 12/4/08
Every January for 20 years, Hopkins has rented a room in Shriver Hall to the Sons of Confederate Veterans for a reception after their celebration of Southern Civil War rebel leaders Robert E. Lee and Thomas Jackson in Wyman Park. This January, however, Hopkins is ending this practice.
Because Hopkins is a private institution, explained Dennis O'Shea, executive director of Communication and Public Affairs, "We are not obliged by law to allow any group on campus," and the University has ultimately decided that it does not want the confederate flag to be taken across its grounds.
The Colonel Harry W. Gilmor Camp precinct of the Sons of Confederate Veterans is outraged at Hopkins's decision, according to several members.
In an e-mail, Michael Williams, Commander of the group, said he believes that "the practices of Hopkins [against] the First Amendment Rights promised by the Constitution, including the rights of our group ... are near Stalinist."
O'Shea responded that the University is not violating any civil rights.
"This is not a free speech issue. The University has chosen not to rent a room, nothing more," he wrote in a follow-up e-mail.
Regardless, several members of the SCV said they feel the University is rejecting their right to peacefully assemble.
"The sole purpose of this event is to remember and honor the lives of two great Americans who served their country (Virginia), risking all to perform what they saw as their duty," Donald Steven Smith, first lieutenant commander of the Gilmor Camp, wrote in an e-mail.
According to SCV Adjutant Elliot Cummings, the longstanding tradition of the reception in Shriver Hall did not seem to offend students or faculty members.
"The only part of the event that actually took place [on campus] was the reception ... this included coffee, hot chocolate and pastries for all participants and spectators, [whether they were] federal, confederate or civilian, who often had stood in severe cold for up to two hours to take part in or view the ceremony," Cumming said.
Because Hopkins is a private institution, explained Dennis O'Shea, executive director of Communication and Public Affairs, "We are not obliged by law to allow any group on campus," and the University has ultimately decided that it does not want the confederate flag to be taken across its grounds.
The Colonel Harry W. Gilmor Camp precinct of the Sons of Confederate Veterans is outraged at Hopkins's decision, according to several members.
In an e-mail, Michael Williams, Commander of the group, said he believes that "the practices of Hopkins [against] the First Amendment Rights promised by the Constitution, including the rights of our group ... are near Stalinist."
O'Shea responded that the University is not violating any civil rights.
"This is not a free speech issue. The University has chosen not to rent a room, nothing more," he wrote in a follow-up e-mail.
Regardless, several members of the SCV said they feel the University is rejecting their right to peacefully assemble.
"The sole purpose of this event is to remember and honor the lives of two great Americans who served their country (Virginia), risking all to perform what they saw as their duty," Donald Steven Smith, first lieutenant commander of the Gilmor Camp, wrote in an e-mail.
According to SCV Adjutant Elliot Cummings, the longstanding tradition of the reception in Shriver Hall did not seem to offend students or faculty members.
"The only part of the event that actually took place [on campus] was the reception ... this included coffee, hot chocolate and pastries for all participants and spectators, [whether they were] federal, confederate or civilian, who often had stood in severe cold for up to two hours to take part in or view the ceremony," Cumming said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 116
J. Stephen Conn
posted 12/05/08 @ 12:32 PM EST
For generations the University campuses of America were bastions of free speech, openness and tolerance. Now they are bowing at the altar of political correctness. (Continued…)
Billy G. Greaser
posted 12/05/08 @ 12:49 PM EST
Sad as it may be, looks like John Hopkins University has gone ignorant and are attempting to become "politically correct" like the rest of the country. (Continued…)
Terry Ayers
posted 12/05/08 @ 7:04 PM EST
Can you imagine the outrage if Hopkins University had refused to rent the room to the NAACP or a Native American group? Hopkins is being selective in its prejudice and quite frankly there are laws against such things. (Continued…)
Elliott Cummings
posted 12/05/08 @ 7:43 PM EST
Someone once said that eventually Confederate descendents will become like the early Christians and be forced to honor their Confederate ancestors in secret in catacombs. (Continued…)
Elliott Cummings
posted 12/05/08 @ 7:54 PM EST
So far, Hopkins has invented five different excuses, expressed to different people, for their disgraceful action:
1 . We are a "Confederate" organization. (Continued…)
Elliott Cummings
Elliott Cummings
posted 12/05/08 @ 8:02 PM EST
So far, Hopkins has invented five different excuses, expressed to different people, for their disgraceful action:
1 . We are a "Confederate" organization. (Continued…)
Donald Steven Smith
posted 12/05/08 @ 8:21 PM EST
At the risk of making an incorrect assumption, I will guess that the two students quoted in the article as objecting to the use of Shriver Hall by the SCV for a post-event reception do not have ancestors who fought for the Confederacy. (Continued…)
B. B. Blythe
posted 12/05/08 @ 9:32 PM EST
As a member of the SCV and the Color Sgt. of my camp I was there last year holding our flag I marched in the small parade I stood at attention while the dedications were made when it was over I went with many to a reception at Shriver hall had refreshments visited with many of my old friends used the rest room and said adieu and went home just like everybody else where did that offend anybody Why I carry that flag ( the battle Flag) is because I have GGGrandfathers that fought under that Flag all my family is from Maryland and Virginia some of them got here in the 1600's way befor the Civil War I carry that flag to show respect for them and my fellow members of the SCV its my job I don't hold any hate or any misgivings of any kind towards John Hopkins or any one in Baltimore. (Continued…)
Christopher Cummins
posted 12/05/08 @ 11:23 PM EST
It is interesting to note that the names quoted in the article were names that are not of the founding the stock of this country. Where are the voices of the Scottish, Irish, English, Italian, French, etc. (Continued…)
Leopold Bloom
posted 12/06/08 @ 12:48 AM EST
Call it what you want; you are representing a legacy of treason to the United States. Congratulations!
p.s. the south lost the war. just a heads up. (Continued…)
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