I don't subscribe to the WSJ, so I could only see some of the first paragraph, but I like that they voted on it, and won 54% of the vote. They had 46% of the current student voting base saying no. So what about the Alumni? How about the employees? You look at it and it says they are a majority, but the reality is that they probably are in the teens, if that, when all "votes" are cast.

I think it is a great idea to have a new nickname. Players come and go --often only staying a year. Coaches come and go. Why can't nicknames come and go? Although I would rather not see us switch to the "Generals" in honor of the Washington Generals, consistent losers to the Harlem Globetrotters. 

Do these current students even know why there is a hippo statue on campus? Because a drunk SJT bought it at antique store and his wife wouldn't let him keep it so he donated it for the tax write-off? I suppose that'd be on-brand for some population of the current students? The whole thing is ridiculous. WSJ editorial has it right - the Colonial here references those that fought British tyranny and formed the nation. They are Colonials not Colonists. Perhaps those last three letters in the words are confusing? Context is everything and if you can't understand the context of the nickname in relation to the context of the university name, perhaps you should opt to go to a different school that doesn't offend your senses.

Well said Colonial.  Not sure what disturbs me more:  the potential
Changing of the name or the fact that current students do not understand the difference as mentioned above.

GWRising wrote:

Students are dumb. I was a dumb student once. For a bunch of otherwise smart kids they don't know sh!t, Same dumb dumbs who a majority of think the U.S. should move to socialism or that divestment from Israel is the way to solve the Middle East conflict. They will eventually grow up and learn like we did. Hopefully, they won't do too much damage to GW or the US in the process. 

If I remember one thing my grandfather told me when I was a "college student" with all the answers it was the following: The funny thing about life is that older folks seem to get smarter as you get older. Amen to that. Funny how a job, family and life concerns in the "real world" cause you to reassess things very quickly.
 

Ok boomer

I remember when I was at GW there were many of my peers who really were hostile to GW. A reverse lock to be or appear cool perhaps.
I would hope that someone is really talking to these students about the impact on giving and older alumni. I’m not talking about feelings but somebody from the development office with data and knowledge. My take is that silly nicknames scream FU to the alums who give and value GW.

The other piece is talking to students about giving time and money to GW as alums to help GW continue. If  students value institutions and what they bring to society great. If it’s clear they view their  time as transactional and stupidly believe they are paying all current costs to keep the school open I’m far less interested in what they have to say. Being “woke” today is going to be plenty muddy 40-50 years from now.

Seems to me real leadership involves compromise; while being a zealous hard ass is not exercising leadership.

Last edited by FredD (12/01/2019 1:03 pm)

Yeah, I’m done with donations at that point.  I’d move on to  something else and I’ve been giving for years.  The Colonials name is about the folks who fought for freedom against tyranny.  Marvin Center - sure, change the name.  Change the name of the Colonials?  Nope - I’m out.

I agree, if a name change happens, anything related to the Hippo would be horrible. Don't need to be named after a drunken school president buying a statue while antiquing in New England who donated it the school as a tax write-off because his wife wouldn't let him keep it at home.

And good point about why we use the name Colonial. It's the context that matters here. I understand and agree colonists were terrible in many parts of the world and that can create some strong feelings. However, our school name is about those who founded our country and actually fought AGAINST colonial rule. It's not some generic name. We can all acknowledge George Washington owned slaves and many who fought along with him did as well. It's terrible and education and context about our founding fathers is vitally important.

But if a person were to have a problem with the school's nickname in this context they surely have a problem with the name of the university itself being George Washington. There are other options for college if you think the school's name is a problem. It's not like we're named after someone who actively fought to destroy the United States.

If, more like when, the school's name is changed the closest thing I can figure would be the Revolutionaries. I mean our mascot is already George Washington so nothing would have to change except the name itself. Colors and mascot all remain.

BC wrote:

Nobody has changed the name yet.  My preference is for it to stay.  With some sort of acknowledgement that Washington had slaves which he freed when he died.  If we become the Hippos - well my thoughts are better left unsaid.   Can someone start a poll about changing the name?
a) Colonials
b) Hippos
c) Generals
d) Colonels
e) Kernals
f) Foggy Bottoms

BC, I'd like to see the Colonial name remain unchanged. However, if the university decides to change the name, I would understand, because in today's divided country, it seems to me that people are exceptionally passionate about either making massive change or holding on to the past.  I can see both sides. 

If the the Colonials moniker were changed, I think the university should consider forever honoring all the black soldiers who fought for US independence (and their own freedom from slavery). Sadly, US slaves deployment as soldiers has never been a focus in the way American history is taught in the US. 

Maybe the university would consider changing the name to the Atttucks, in honor of the the great Crispus Attucks.  He embodied so many of the values we hold dear as Americans.  Just a thought.    

Last edited by 22ndandF (7/21/2020 9:50 am)