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Petition Urges Removing Lincoln's Name From University

By Amber Shackelford
Black College Wire

Though never a student at Lincoln University of Missouri, Michael Blackburn worked with the Blue Tiger Battalion, the Army ROTC unit at the school, assisting Lincoln students in their desire to become officers. These days, Blackburn works in the Middle East as an independent contractor, saying in an e-mail interview that he is "providing security for those working to improve the quality of life for the Iraqi people."

And he is still trying to make a difference at Lincoln.

Blackburn recently initiated an online petition to change the name of the university.

He wrote a letter to the Lincoln University Board of Curators describing Abraham Lincoln as a white supremacist, an atheist and a man who was against slavery only so far as it competed with free white labor in the newly acquired territories.

"When one takes out all the politics and ideology, it is amazing how different the real Abraham Lincoln is from the myth that we are all taught from grade school through college,"said Blackburn.

Constance Williams, the university's vice president of student affairs, explained that, "The soldiers and officers of the 62nd and 65th colored infantries saved their meager income to create an opportunity for persons who did not have the opportunity to be educated to receive an education, and they chose Lincoln Institute as the name."

Photo credit: Library of Congress Abraham Lincoln with abolitionist Sojourner Truth.

But Blackburn said he thought it ironic that a historically black university would be named after a man who did not believe in racial equality and thought so little of African Americans.

"Even worse, he was a racial segregationist," Blackburn alleged.

Blackburn said that the petition could be available for at least a year, but would be halted if the drive fizzles out.

"Whether or not the Board of Curators, alumni, faculty, staff and students of Lincoln University decide to change the name isn't as important as hopefully beginning an honest debate concerning the facts surrounding Lincoln's presidency, and especially his views regarding African Americans," said Blackburn. The petition names other worthy individuals who deserve the honor, such as George Washington Carver, who developed hundreds of industrial applications from peanuts, sweet potatoes and other farm products; and Richard Baxter Foster, first principal of Lincoln Institute, forerunner of Lincoln University, he said.

[Blackburn's view of Lincoln is similar to that of historian Lerone Bennett, executive editor of Ebony magazine, in his 2000 book, "Forced to Glory."]

Blackburn suggested that the university sponsor a debate on the 16th president that would be open to the public, and charge admission. He said scholars could be invited to represent both sides of the issue so that the students could decide for themselves.

"The university might even make some money, which is never a bad idea with the budget cuts the way they are today,"said Blackburn.

Blackburn said he would welcome any help from students or university organizations.

"If they are enlightened concerning Lincoln and feel that a more appropriate namesake would better serve the university, then I welcome their involvement and activism,"said Blackburn.

Some students, such as recent graduate Ashley Skiles, said it was not their place to change the name of the university, but others said they felt differently.

"Lincoln University is open for change. I think it's a good idea. It should have been changed a long time ago," said Kristy Childs, a senior.

Childs went on to say that, "LU doesn't get a lot of credit. By changing the name, it'll get us out there more. If we had a name more African Americans could identify with, more would come to the school and take it more seriously."

Amber Shackelford, a student at Lincoln University, writes for The Clarion.

Posted Nov. 22, 2004