By Deidre Slagle, Stevensville
When I saw the headline and accompanying photo (Missoulian, December 9, 2019) about swastika tiles on Corbin Hall, a University of Montana building, I immediately thought, “that is not a swastika.” I am 72 years old. I can’t believe that the people who scream “diversity” the loudest are now wanting to erase an architectural element and historically significant symbol which they know nothing about. If our education system has not taught them to know the difference between a swastika and its mirror image, among many other things, that education system should be held accountable. How is it that a few uneducated people can have a beautiful building defaced?
I also find this statement ludicrous: “Whether or not that symbol is facing left or right is somewhat arbitrary in terms of the impact it has on our student body and its interpretation,” said Grady, a senior. WHAT? There is a difference and you, a student, are at an institution of higher education. You should be learning. The impact and interpretation is in the minds of the uneducated. The building was built years before the Holocaust. So how could Grady say “that symbol bears that history…” And furthermore, that is not even the symbol of the Nazis!
Higher education should be educating. The suggestion of an interpretive plaque would be educational. And Grady calls that “dismissive narrative to the people who actually want it removed.” What does he mean by that? I say NO, that is actually “education,” and that is why you are at a learning institution.
I also submit that the Diversity Advisory Council is anything but Diversity-oriented to even consider this. At the rate we are allowing history to be erased, there will soon be no need for a History curriculum in any schools.
I, as a taxpayer, feel strongly that funds required to do the defacing of this building should be paid by the person or persons “offended.” And if somehow the tiles are mysteriously defaced, that person or persons should be held accountable.