The Obama Diary

Heartened to see my alma mater make this change, and even prouder of the students who’ve been advocating for this kind of change on campus for years. Let’s keep finding ways to be more inclusive to all students—at Princeton and at every school across the country. https://t.co/jQd0TmJe1r

— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) June 29, 2020

In 2015, student activists occupied President Eisgruber’s office, which led to the creation of the Wilson Legacy Review Committee. The committee and the board recommended reforms to make #PrincetonU more inclusive and more honest about its history, but kept Wilson’s name.

— Princeton University (@Princeton) June 27, 2020

As the tragic killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and Rayshard Brooks drew renewed attention to the long and damaging history of racism in America, the board reconsidered the Committee's conclusions and convened a special meeting on June 26.

— Princeton University (@Princeton) June 27, 2020

Wilson’s racism was significant and consequential even by the standards of his own time, taking America backward in its pursuit of justice. He not only acquiesced in but added to the persistent practice of racism in this country, a practice that continues to do harm today.

— Princeton University (@Princeton) June 27, 2020

#PrincetonU is part of an America that has too often disregarded, ignored, or excused racism, allowing the persistence of systems that discriminate against Black people.

— Princeton University (@Princeton) June 27, 2020