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Clemson University alums, Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, are spearheading real change in their alma matter. The NFL stars are urging the university to scrap the use of the name of John C. Calhoun — a notorious slave owner and former U.S. Vice President — in the school's property and, more specifically, in its honors program.
“Clemson University still honors the name of well known slave owner and pro-slavery politician John C. Calhoun on its buildings, signs, and in the name of its honors program. I felt this oppressive figure during my time at Clemson and purposely do not mention the University’s name before NFL games because of it,” Hopkins posted on Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBMCxaFlpQD/
Watson also took to Twitter to air his grievances about the issue. The two-time NFL Pro Bowler joins both current and former members of the university in advancing an online petition to rename the controversial school program.
Clemson University should not honor slave owner John C. Calhoun in any way. His name should be removed from all University property and programming. I am joining the students, faculty & DeAndre to restart this petition to rename the Calhoun Honors College.https://t.co/GdhtCZKFnZ
— Deshaun Watson (@deshaunwatson) June 9, 2020
After just five days of being created, the petition has already reached almost 16,000 signatures, just 9,000 short of the petitioner's 25,000 goal.
Earlier this month, Clemson president James Clements came out with a university-wide statement as a response to the nationwide movement for social justice and racism. In his statement, Clements said that issues such as racism, injustice and hatred cannot be tolerated and that the university, as a whole, has a lot of work to do.
“We can, and must, do better if we are to build a truly inclusive Clemson community. That work has never been more important than it is right now.” Clements declared.
