Addressing Our Racist History

Sign this petition to make the KKK illegal.  The Ku Klux Klan is a white supremacist hate group with historic background of terrorism, including countless physical assaults and murders. The KKK is still active in certain parts of the country and has public rallies. Hate should not be a way to bring communities together, nor should it be allowed or tolerated.

Dear UA Community,  Many of you have recently heard of the petition that advocates for the renaming of buildings on The University of Alabama’s campus that hold the names of racist figures in this country’s history. Multiple buildings are targeted, including the College of Education’s own Bibb Graves Hall. As College of Education Ambassadors, we want to make it clear to our peers and faculty that we stand in support of this petition. Furthermore, we have chosen to create our own specifically requesting that the University of Alabama rename Bibb Graves Hall to Autherine Lucy Hall. We strongly urge the University of Alabama to listen to the requests of its students and community.  Included in the College of Education’s overarching ideals, we state our “Commitment to Diversity [and the] Ideals of Fairness and Equity.” The College’s vision is to “facilitate [the] visibility and voice of education leaders beyond the classroom in support of democracy and social justice for all learners in our global society.” Furthermore, the larger University’s Capstone Creed challenges us to “act with fairness, integrity, and respect; promote equity and inclusion; [and] foster… civic responsibility.” Yet, these values are taught inside buildings named after leaders and participants of overtly racist organizations.  The values we are asked to uphold should be embodied in current life on campus, not just stated as a hope for the future. As student representatives of the College of Education, and as individuals who walk the halls of Graves daily, we expect all aspects of our college, including who our buildings are named after, to reflect these ideals. In 1956, the College of Education demonstrated these ideals by admitting the first African American student to UA, Autherine Lucy Foster. Today is another opportunity for The College of Education to once again take the initiative and lead our peers.  For these reasons, we find it only right to join the College of Education’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee’s position to change the name of Bibb Graves Hall to Autherine Lucy Hall.  We hope that by publicly acknowledging our stance on the current issues affecting our students, many other college Ambassador groups and student organizations will join us. Together, we can make a difference here at the University of Alabama. Together in support,  Lauren Upton - President, College of Education Ambassadors           lkupton@crimson.ua.edu Sidney Sheppard - Secretary, College of Education Ambassadors                sjsheppard@crimson.ua.edu Faryn Fryer - Parliamentarian, College of Education Ambassadors                       flfryer@crimson.ua.edu Along with Alexandra Svenson, Amanda Ferrito, Anna Tucker, Brynn Murray, Caroline Kellogg, Danit Silberman, Elizabeth Aguirre, Emma Grace Jones, Katie Jo Dickey, and Lindsay Pugh: College of Education Ambassadors.

Ever since the inception of the Ku Klux Klan in December 24,1865 they have terrorized American citizens for the color of their skin and opposing views. This group has a long history of murder & intimidation of people based on color and religion. The KKK has lynched 3446 blacks and 1297 whites based of the research of The Tuskeegee Institute. The KKK has raped,murdered people for registering to vote, and destroyed towns built by African Americans. Clear documented evidence is available through picture and video of their murderous acts. Black Americans have suffered the most under this terror group. Terrorism is the use of violence and intimidation in pursuit of political aims. We ask if ISIS or ISIL is labeled a terrorist group for their acts, then surely the KKK fit the clear description of a terrorist. KKK does not care to publicize their actions and the police aren't interested in investigating it.  KKK members are in many forms of the government KKK could be considered the best example of a modern terrorist group that was even allowed, by the government, to function and even do marches in the capital of the country

Georgia's Board of Education passed a resolution on Thursday, June 3, 2021 essentially seeking to eliminate discussion & teaching in Georgia’s schools of racism and racial challenges we people of color have faced and continue to face in America. This resolution makes shockingly inaccurate claims including statements which seek to rewrite our history, e.g., "with respect to their relationship to American values, slavery and racism are anything other than deviations from, betrayals of, or failures to live up to, the authentic founding principles of the United States, which include liberty and equality."  Teaching civics, social studies, and history with a social justice lens and acknowledging the past and present racial traumas in American society, especially given our state's role, are necessary to build awareness, understand and address major societal & systemic challenges faced by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities, and heal intergenerational trauma. Just as recent voter suppression legislation was passed in Georgia to placate unfounded claims of fraud, we believe this is another attempt to further suppress our voices, our stories, and our truth. We must teach our children America's true and complete history. We call on Georgia's State Board of Education leaders to immediately reverse this resolution as well as work with Georgia’s BIPOC families, community leaders, and DEI, antiracism, & CRT pedagogy experts, educators, & practitioners to define a plan for how best to proactively, inclusively, and truthfully include these components into Georgia's schools.