Open letter to co-founders of the Neal-Marshall Black Alumni Club

A few weeks ago as the All University Committee on Names expressed its reluctance to interfere with IU’s traditions, I wrote a letter to the Indiana Daily Student suggesting that Wildermuth’s name remain on the Intramural Building and be used as an opportunity to teach the University community about the history of the University‘s racism. For too long racism and its impact on people of African descent in this state, as well as the entire country, has been hidden and denied. I believe it should be openly discussed.

The decision to rename the building the William L. Garrett/Ora L. Wildermuth Fieldhouse is insulting to the life and efforts of Bill Garrett, as well as to the suffering endured by blacks at the hands of people like Wildermuth.

I believe this juxtaposition of the name of an athletic pioneer with that of a staunch segregationist implies that the strength and courage of being the first black to break one of segregation’s barriers are equivalent to the cowardice and fear of racial segregation.

Using Garrett’s legacy and memory in an effort to redeem the University’s desire to honor a racist is the kind of insensitivity that perpetuates racism. Let Wildermuth’s racism stand on its own. Teach the University community that he was a man who made contributions to IU but who also fought unstintingly to prevent blacks from having roles such as Bill Garrett’s at IU.

Is Bill Garrett not worthy of having a building named solely in his honor?

Janet Cheatham Bell
IU alumna, 1964