Collegeharvard lawharvard universityIvy League

Some Students Want Harvard Law's Seal Changed Due To Slavery Connection

They say it's a symbol of racism.
Tyler Kingkade
By 

Senior Editor/Reporter, The Huffington Post

FILE - In this Aug. 1, 2005 file photo, a bicyclist walks by Langdell Hall, the Harvard Law Library, on the Harvard Law School campus at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. Some students at Harvard Law School want it to change its official seal because of its ties to an 18th-century slaveholder. The seal depicts three bundles of wheat, an image taken from the family crest of Isaac Royall Jr. It's meant to pay tribute to Royall, who left his estate to create the first law professorship at Harvard University but who was a slave trader and owned slaves at his Massachusetts home. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
FILE - In this Aug. 1, 2005 file photo, a bicyclist walks by Langdell Hall, the Harvard Law Library, on the Harvard Law School campus at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. Some students at Harvard Law School want it to change its official seal because of its ties to an 18th-century slaveholder. The seal depicts three bundles of wheat, an image taken from the family crest of Isaac Royall Jr. It's meant to pay tribute to Royall, who left his estate to create the first law professorship at Harvard University but who was a slave trader and owned slaves at his Massachusetts home. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
ASSOCIATED PRESS

BOSTON (AP) -- Some students at Harvard Law School want it to change its official seal because of its ties to an 18th-century slaveholder.

The seal depicts three bundles of wheat, an image taken from the family crest of Isaac Royall Jr. It's meant to pay tribute to Royall, who left his estate to create the first law professorship at Harvard University but who was a slave trader and owned slaves at his Massachusetts home.

Students opposing the seal say it's a symbol of racism that's proudly displayed on buildings, shirts and other merchandise.

The students organized under the name Royall Must Fall. They say they were inspired by movements at colleges in South Africa and England to remove symbols of colonization.

About 2,000 students attend the suburban Boston law school each year. A school spokeswoman has declined to comment.

Facebook: Royall Must Fall

Related

harvard lawharvard universityIvy Leagueslaveryharvard law seal
|
Submit a tip

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot