Removal of Lillian Gish name from University theater (1 Viewer)

[Angelo Colombus]

Wellesnet is reporting that the Bowling Green State University is removing the Gish name from the theater but retain the Ohio native’s endowment and personal memorabilia because of Lillian Gish’s role in D. W. Griffith’s controversial 1915 film The Birth of a Nation. In removing the Gish name, Bowling Green State University officials said in a 12 page report that " in no way is our intent to minimize her accomplishments or contributions to film culture and history. However, as an educational institution, BGSU has a primary responsibility to its students and an overriding obligation to create an inclusive learning environment." Nearly a dozen prominent Wellesians were among the more than 50 artists, writers, and film scholars calling for the restoration of actresses Lillian and Dorothy Gish’s names to a theater established in their honor 43 years ago at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. A very bad decision made by the University if you ask me!

 

[mark brown]

No sense of history!

 

[Peter Apruzzese]

It's an idiotic and pandering move. Rather than examine her role in *one* film that's possibly problematic and use it for education, they're literally throwing her away (but keeping her money).

They're a garbage institution.

 

[Angelo Colombus]

An update posted on Wellesnet. The University says it will not reconsider its decision.

 

[Robert Crawford]

An update posted on Wellesnet. The University says it will not reconsider its decision.

It needs to as it was a bad decision on their part.

 

[Angelo Colombus]

Here is a link talking more about it.

http://www.wellesnet.com/lillian-gish-removal/

 

[Jim*Tod]

PC culture run rampant. Gish essentially invented film acting. Her legacy goes way beyond BIRTH OF A NATION.

 

[Malcolm R]

They'll reconsider if a number of alumni begin withholding donations. It's all about the $$$ with these colleges.

 

[PMF]

It's an idiotic and pandering move. Rather than examine her role in *one* film that's possibly problematic and use it for education, they're literally throwing her away (but keeping her money).

They're a garbage institution.

They're keeping her money?!! That's really tacky.
FILE UNDER: In Gish We Trust.

 

[Matt Hough]

How short-sighted and absurd! I'm very disappointed in this university.

 

[Jack P]

"in no way is our intent to minimize her accomplishments or contributions to film culture and history".

Bovine scatology.

 

[Angelo Colombus]

The Director's Guild of America did change the name of the D.W. Griffith Award in 1999. DGA president stated that, although Griffith was an influential and innovative filmmaker, he also "helped foster intolerable racial stereotypes".

 

[Adam Lenhardt]

The Director's Guild of America did change the name of the D.W. Griffith Award in 1999. DGA president stated that, although Griffith was an influential and innovative filmmaker, he also "helped foster intolerable racial stereotypes".

I can understand that, given that Griffith was the driving creative force behind Birth of a Nation and therefore bears responsibility for its content. But Gish was just a performer in the movie, years before she'd get more creative control working for MGM.

How many degrees of separation does it take to avoid being purged on the altar of modern sensibilities?

 

[JohnMor]

What an odd decision. I understand the importance of removing a controversial name to make a more inclusive environment in 2019, and if the theater had been named for Griffith it would be a no-brainer imo, but Gish? And to still keep the endowment? THAT’s really hypocritical. If her name is that tainted, her money should be as well.

 

[PMF]

"in no way is our intent to minimize her accomplishments or contributions to film culture and history".

Bovine scatology.

Its more than minimizing, its a total erasure of her name. I wonder if those who are behind this decision have actually seen the entire breadth and body of her work? Try as they will, but Lillian Gish's title as "The First Lady of American Cinema" shall globally and historically remain secure.

 

[Sam Posten]

No P&R guys, you know better.

 

[Angelo Colombus]

Like the other posts I find it hard to see why the University is taking her name of the building for acting in one film that she was hired to do.

 

[ScottHM]

What an odd decision. I understand the importance of removing a controversial name to make a more inclusive environment in 2019.

I don't, because you don't become more inclusive by being more exclusive.
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[bujaki]

Like Gish in her most beloved roles, I am rendered speechless.

 

[Sandro]

If anyone is interested in the report of the task force:

https://www.bgsu.edu/content/dam/BGSU/president/documents/gish/Gish-Task-Force-Report.pdf