Our Future Leaders?

I certainly hope not!

The following quotes are excerpts from the minutes of the University of Washington Student Senate meeting on Tuesday, February 7th.

The topic at hand is the proposal to erect a memorial for UofW alumni, Gregory ‘Pappy’ Boyington, Colonel, USMC and leader of what is popularly known as ‘The Black Sheep Squadron’ during WWII.

R-12-18: A Resolution to Calling for a Tribute for Col. Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, USMC

Andrew Everett, sponsor of the legislation, summaraized the resolution. He said he wasn’t interested in a large statue, but something on a smaller scale.

A senator asked why Andrew Everett was interested in honoring this particular alumnus.

Andrew Everett said that he had read about Colonel Boyington and thought his achievements warranted recognition.

Tyler Dockins asked why the monument shouldn’t commemorate allt he alumni who fought int he war.

Andrew Everett noted that several statues around campus already serve such a purpose and that Colonel Boyington had many of the qualities the University of Washington hoped to produce in its students.

Jill Edwards said she didn’t believe a member of the Marine Corps was an example of the sort of person the UW wanted to produce.

Ashley Miller commented that many monuments at the UW already commemorate rich white men.

As you all know, it is not very often that I am left speechless, but reading this has had just about that exact effect on me.

WWII USMC combat veteran. Awarded the Navy Cross and the Medal of Honor. And yet only two UW student senators can find the gumption to attempt to pass a resolution that would only “look into the possibility” of erecting a memorial for the man on campus?

The part I excerpted starts on page five of the top link. And there are plenty more ‘objections’ to the proposal where I got the above quotes. 

Found at Andrew’sDadBlog via The Orb