Readers React: History lesson for Princeton protesters: Woodrow Wilson was a product of his time

To the editor: Maybe the students at Princeton University demanding the removal of tributes to President Woodrow Wilson — an alumnus and former university president — have arrived at a teachable moment and could learn that in life, we are not all one thing or another. (“Princeton agrees to examine Woodrow Wilson’s legacy on race after student protests,” Nov. 20)

Debasing Wilson or removing photos or artifacts of him while looking through our rearview mirror of 100 years ago to a man who was born in the South before the Civil War is not going to change history.

Even though Wilson championed the right of women to vote and was instrumental in fighting for world peace (he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize), he was not perfect.

His pictures and name should remain at Princeton to remind us how far we have advanced in the last century. For all we know, if he were alive today, he might be marching with the students.

Larry Margo, Valley Village

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To the editor: It appears that university students need a refresher course in history: We are, in part, a product of our times. That goes for the students and their protests as well as for Wilson and Isaac Royall Jr., an 18th century slave owner who played a role in founding Harvard Law School.

While Wilson’s and Royall’s perceived transgressions may be offensive by today’s standards, the attempts to erase them show a shocking lack of perspective. Much good was also accomplished by the Treaty of Versailles, for which Wilson won a Nobel Peace Prize, and Royall generously endowed a favored college.

Should we also erase George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, both slave owners, from our national consciousness?

Barbara Hartl, Orange

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