whatthehey78 said:
BJC said:
Texas A&M University is bigger than a mere statue...
Yes it is...but its stature and reputation is made of from a myriad of things, people, principals AND its history!! Removing some or ANY is detrimental to its overall stature.
If the statues of Sully, Earl Rudder, etc., were physically removed but their stories were still told and publications about them were maintained, would that really change TAMU's history? As an African-American Aggie myself, I am indifferent to statues, as the stories behind them are more important than their physical representation.
Governor Ross was able to be in his post-gubernatorial position as TAMC president due to the efforts of Republican Senator Gaines being a prominent proponent of the Morrill Act of 1862 which help establish land-grant post-secondary institutions like our collegiate alma mater. Although there is no physical statue of Senator Gaines (again I do not care if they do or do not make one of him), I see him just the same as Governor Ross and General Rudder, for these three men in their own way indubitably helped Texas A&M become the fine institution that it is today.
We Former Students are living beneficiaries of these three outstanding men.
BJC
Texas A&M Aggie Class of '96