Harvard Law Professor Defends Yale’s Decision To Keep Slave Owner’s Name On Building

[I] can respect the decision [Yale] made. People speak as if you keep John C. Calhoun’s name, that means you’re indifferent to the legacy of racism. I don’t believe that. I think that there are people who embrace the idea of keeping his name who are deeply concerned with the legacy of slavery and racism and want to do things to address that legacy.

— Randall Kennedy, Harvard Law professor specializing in regulation of race relations, noting that though he’d have preferred Yale remove the name of noted slavery proponent, John C. Calhoun, from one of its residence halls, he understands the decision.