WHO IS T.A. BRADY?
This was taken from a 1966 Resolution written by the Board of Curators:
“Thomas A. Brady served the University of Missouri for thirty-eight years as instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, professor, vice president, and dean. Thomas Brady distinguished himself in his chosen field both as a teacher and a scholar. Thomas A. Brady brought distinction and honor to the University by being the first University faculty member ever chosen as a Guggenheim Fellow. Near the end of World War II, Thomas A. Brady made a major contribution to American higher education through his study of the educational needs of the returning veteran and his plans for meeting those needs in Missouri and elsewhere. Thomas A. Brady held an abiding faith in the dignity and personal worth of each individual and made this faith operational in the daily life of our students through the student personal services, which he organized, developed and supervised. Therefore, be it resolved that the Curators of the University of Missouri do hereby recognize the long and distinguished service that Thomas A Brady rendered to the University and especially to its students by naming the building now known as the Student Commons the THOMAS A. BRADY COMMONS in testimony of our esteem and gratitude for his devoted service. "*
Sounds good, right?
The following statements were taken from letters written by Thomas Brady:
“I believe the Missouri Constitution compels us to keep white and negro students separate in activities which are part of the school program”*
-November 10, 1947
When discussing gay and lesbian students he wrote, “…they are a menace to a student population since they seek to indoctrinate and make converts…”*
-December 7, 1949
Does this sound like somebody who “held an abiding faith in the dignity and personal worth of each individual?” Should a space with such high student traffic bear this man's name? As the expansion of Brady Commons begins, we should ask these questions. More importantly, as members of the community at Mizzou, we should concern ourselves with the historical roots of the climate that exists on campus today.
This is an open forum for interested students, faculty, and staff to discuss the issue. We will be posting more information weekly on this blog regarding Thomas Brady over the school year.
Please feel free to use the link at the bottom of each post for any questions or comments.
*All information came from the University Archives, University of Missouri-Columbia.
posted by Erin @ 8:42 PM
32 Comments:
While it sounds to me that T.A Brady was indeed a biggot, I think it should be noted that those quotes are from the late 1940's, where almost all of society rejected the rights and wishes of the homosexual community, and where segregation was wide-spread throughout the nation. Therefore, I think it's best to judge him based on his own times. I'm sure this argument has been brought up all the time, but Thomas Jefferson owned and impregnated slaves, should we re-name Jefferson City? Again, he was a product of his time, where slavery was accepted.
Just my .02.
Zach-
Thank you for your interest.
Simply because people are "products of their times", does not mean that we can't examine certain attitudes and beliefs held from that time. Using this logic, we are drawn to even broader questions and issues. Since Brady is getting a facelift, so to speak, should we hold on to a name attached to his "time?" What is in a name holds more meaning than what you might think. The climate that exists on campus today, can certainly be traced to the time when, as you put it, "society rejected the rights and wishes of the homosexual community, and where segregation was wide-spread throughout the nation."
In response to Jefferson City: While I understand your logic, you must realize that this project is concerned with our power as students. Further, maybe those with the power to rename Jefferson City could look to history to see it from a standpoint of those who stood up against the vile system of slavery. Why couldn't/shouldn't we rename Jefferson City? But, this task is not mine or this project's.
Many buildings, cities and the like, were named at a time when certain parts of history were disregarded. In other words, many names came at a time when these attitudes and beliefs were still a part of the popular consciousness.
We are judging T.A. Brady according to his own time, and through this time, we see that, perhaps, those who upheld the status quo should not be held in such high regard. My last question is this, should names be reflective of those who promoted or resisted change?
Zach, I thank you for your interest in this project, and hope you check back in during the next couple of weeks.
Those of you wasting your time with this website need to find better hobbies. Even if this information is true, which I don't doubt, Brady paid for his name to be on this building. Names are not just arbitrarily put on buildings. You cannot belittle someone who did not know any better at the time in which he was raised. Get over yourselves and make some friends.
I agree with Zach. He is long gone and dead and yes, he may have said some things that we don't agree with. However, taking two quotes on two issues is enough to condemn the man? I agree it was aggregious and unacceptable by today's standards, but maybe we will see pro-life or pro-choice individuals as horribly wrong in 100 years. Will we call the Bush Library something else then? What about the elimination of Native Americans? Not only did Jefferson own slaves, but do you remember the Trail of Tears? I would rather have something named after a biggot than a murder. Also, Jefferson was a trader by modern standards, as he rebeled against the Crown. I think that we need to stop focusing on stupid quotes and start focusing on improving things today. What if you spent your time making the plight of minorities better, instead of worrying about the name of a building? I think that your points are valid, but your conclusions are horribly off. Let the name stand!
after reading the article, those two quotes did come as a bit of a shock to me. I do not feel we can use soly those two quotes against him. Those are common ideas for the time that he expressed. From the sounds of it, his contributions outweighed those ignorant statements. I am not against giving the new commons a new name if we find someone better. Otherwise I think we should focus on his attributes and contributions.
Wow, great page guys! You wasted my time AND contributed to all the trash ads laying (lying? lieing?) around campus.
"What about the elimination of Native Americans? Not only did Jefferson own slaves, but do you remember the Trail of Tears?"
Not to be a dick, but that was Andrew Jackson ;)
I'm so glad that students are getting the word out about T.A. Brady. I have heard these things about him and very upset MU has such a high-activity spot named after such a disgusting man. I would love to see the name changed. He does not represent the views of MU nor the views of the students that attend it.
This blog is interesting, but I think the creators could promote their purpose better by citing sources and identifying themselves (i.e. as a person/group of people with a common goal).
The information is interesting, but there is an unstated (or at least unclearly stated) agenda and I would like to know where the information came from.
Interesting points all around, and they do present us with some stirring questions. However, personally I think perhaps there could be a better name found for the Commons; this is cynical, but surely some corporate company or conglomerate would love to put their name on the new Commons? Think of the exposure they'd get!
But honestly, I do think a better person could be found to name the Commons area.
I'm wondering if the people here (and throughout our lovely campus) that don't think naming a part of our student center after such a heterosexist and racist is a big deal are the same people that were outraged when our new arena was named after some spoiled rich kid that was completely unrelated to our university. I know so many people who were upset with the Paige Sports Arena, while it still was that. Why aren't people as concerned about the new student center? What is the difference between the two? Because the thing that I would say the difference is in is that Brady tried to make like hell for students at this University, tried to have them removed simply because of the way they were born. The University is still okay with that. All little Miss Paige did bad was cheat to get her degree, not even from Mizzou, and the University changed the name practically overnight.
To Sarah Smile:
More "equal" Mizzou?
I'm sure that when most minorities play pool at Brady's, they're no thinking "It sure does suck that I'm being discriminated against since this place is called "Brady's". To the "take your buisness elsewhere" comment. YOU think that their cause is just, therefore people who want to discuss the merits of the argument and disagree with parts of it have to be wrong? This blog was created (I think) to DISCUSS both the pros and cons of the naming, not for one side to say what they think is right, and for people to disagree with them to keep quiet, because they are wrong according to YOU.
I took a course at Mizzou (I won't say which to not endanger anyone's job.) in which, if you opted, you could go on a voluntary (vaguely related) field trip outlining the homophobia in the university's past. It was unbelievable and incredibly interesting.
I commend this group for making the information more available and see no harm in their attempts to make a change where they feel one should be made.
I for one believe the information about Brady, I believed then and I still do.
And the point about the Paige Sports Arena is dead on.
I think it's important to note how horribly MU has acted in the past. Remember, Lincoln University miles south of there was established for the explicit reason that no one who was black could attend MU.
This type of behavior was repeated all over this country throughout the majority of the 20th Century.
From my understanding, Brady served in the public eye up and through the late 1960s and early 1970s. He changed his comments as human dignity and rights passed through the Civil Rights Era.
Those quotes were taking in the context of when they were spoken, and I would urge to check into any public comments Brady made after the public consciousious changed for the better.
If there is to be a group about this looking to rename something, please remember that we have no building on campus named after a African American figure in our history.
~Ken Sweet,
Maneater UNews Editor 2003-2005
Bloomberg, Hong Kong
Actually, we do have the Gaines Oldham Black Culture Center on campus. Looking at their photographs I believe they were indeed black. However that doesn't preclude us from changing the name of Brady. With a new commons being built, I think it would be great to consider a name sake that didn't hold those antiquated beliefs at the time when he or she made a great impact on the university.
Good job y'all!
I think Zach brings up a good point with Thomas Jefferson. I'd like to put in my own comments regarding him. Who gave us our university through a land-grant agreement -- Thomas Jefferson. Whose original tombstone is on our campus? Thomas Jefferson's? Has anyone thought of removing that, considering Jefferson's treatment of the slaves and women? No. And I think some double standard exists there.
Who do you go after next? David Francis (do we rename the Quad?), I'm sure he has skeletons. What about Elmer Ellis. Somewhere, it may be written that he has some skeletons too.
Rename the university while you're at it. Missouri was a slave state in the Civil War, and if you go with your current arguement, it's wrong.
As an alum, I am proud of where I attended college, and while I loved the fighting spirit of Mizzou students, I really think some people have way too much time on their hands.
AG
I think it was already said--by Erin--at the top of the page that this site is not about Thomas Jefferson. It is about T.A. Brady.
To respond to some other comments out there that the makers of this site and their supporters are viewing this man and his actions from a modern-day persepective: I think we are, and I think that's the most appropriate thing to do.
We have the perfect oppurtunity now to change what we call our commons--it's being rebuilt. So, why would we want someone who stood for racism and homophobia to represent us, regardless of what time he lived in? I'm sure there are countless other alumni and staff out there that have served the Mizzou community without such bigoted ideals.
Accepting Brady's name on our building after we have learned these terrible things about him is not only accepting his bigotry as an appropriate viewpoint, but also emblazoning it on the side of a building like we're proud of the man.
We shouldn't have anything with "TA Brady" on it.
To respond to Katy's comment... the Gaines Center was paid almost through fundraising and private donations. The university's main funding didn't pay for that.
Also, if you want Mizzou history, there have been under 10 times when the UM system Board of Curators have voted 9-0 or some unaniminous vote. The BCC was one of those (7-2). It took 27 years for that building to come into existance.
Out with the old and on with the new. Anything that promotes something positive is a good thing. Afterall, MU is all about tradition right?
If you've read this whole thread carefully, you now know that President Andrew Jackson was responsible for the "Trail of Tears" which occurred after he signed the "Indian Removal Act". The Cherokee Nation was thereby virtually destroyed.
And yet every year, at events all over the country, the Democratic Party celebrates its founding on "Jackson Day", named after none other than that genocidal ex-President. Any of you highly sympathetic folks planning to leave the Democratic Party over that? Any of you started a website advocating that your party change the name of that celebration? I'm going to take a wild guess and say "no".
Uh, how about Jefferson City, for starters? Thomas Jefferson owned slaves.
I don't think you're accounting for the evolution of society, but that's typical of overzealous young people.
I think you need to get your nose in the bible...I love you all but I hate your sin. You truly can find all you need in Jesus. You were not born to be queer. You are loved by our Lord. Go to him, he is waiting for you. Mr. Brady was very correct in his view against gay&lesbian behavior.
To those who think homosexuality is a choice: Where is your scientific evidence? How do you explain the fact that homosexuality occurs throughout the animal kingdom? Do gay penguins choose to be gay? Heterosexual people cannot be converted to a homosexual orientation.
It's highly unlikly that the human race is going to become extinct due to underpopulation. The Bible was written at a time when Earth's total population was appromately 200 million. That's two thirds the population of the U.S. alone today. Clearly, homosexuality is no threat to the continuation of our species.
The Bible was written by people who, like T. A. Brady, were products of their time and place. Furthermore, over the course of about 200 years, people made numerous edits to its text, reflecting the constantly changing sensibilities of their times. It is a valuable human creation, but it is not God's eternal Truth in whole. Rather, it is an ancient people's understanding of God and a reflection of their social values.
Nowhere in the Bible is Jesus quoted saying anything about homosexuality, but a careful reading of the four gospels reveals that celibacy was the preferred Christian lifestyle, that one should cleave to God instead of to a spouse. Reproduction was, at the very least, not a very high priority among the early Christians.
I'll grant you that a person chooses whether or not to engage in homosexual activity, just as straight people choose whether or not to have sex. But sexual orientation is not a choice. God creates gays and lesbians, and any society that deems itself compassionate and free has a responsibilty to allow all of its citizens to live peacefully as they choose.
T.A. Brady does not represent the social mores of 21st Century America. Every generation redefines its world, and ours is no exception. I'm not a student or alumnus of this school, but I think it's wonderful that these students want to participate in the redefinition of our world by renaming a building to reflect where we are as a society and where we are going.
For those of you who feel the need to consistently say what a horrible man this was- think about every action you have taken throughout your life, everything you have stood for, and every comment you have made (and every action you will stand for or comment you will make for the rest of your life)…will you (or your children and grandchildren) be proud of each of those, and agree with each of those sixty years from now? If not, you have no right to treat this man and his legacy the way you are.
We are each a product of the times and culture we live within. Thomas Brady was no different than a vast majority of the people that lived in this time. He followed the laws of the time; he upheld what were clearly the feelings of the highest University administrators at the time. This is not to say that his feelings are right in our day and age, but they were in his. Every single person has done something they are later not proud of, and I would guess that Thomas Brady would tell you the same is true for him, were he still alive.
Until relatively recently, homosexuality was seen as a curable disease, rather than something you are born with. As sad as it may be, some people still view homosexuality as a disease and a sin. Knowing this, how can you expect that Thomas Brady should have been more progressive than some are today, in statements he made 50+ years ago?
Brady Commons was not names after Thomas Brady because he worked to get homosexuals or other groups off campus (which I don’t feel you have truly proven he did or succeeded in doing). Brady Commons was named for this man because of his many contributions to the University and its students. He may not have been progressive when it came to homosexuals or minorities, but he was extremely progressive when it came to providing for returning soldiers (he actually created a model program for other schools), and providing an education for them, he was progressive in providing a variety of services to students, and actually greatly expanded the idea of student affairs and student life as we know it today, and Dr. Brady was also very concerned with Greek organizations becoming a character building resource, rather than simply a social organization. These, among many other are the reasons Brady Commons was named after Dr. Thomas A. Brady.
We can only judge those of the past based on the society of the past, not on today’s norms and ideals. Those of the past will never live up to our ideals, for they lived in a very different society, with different morals and social values. If we are to judge Thomas Brady’s actions based on our ideals and our feelings of right and wrong, than we can only expect that those we are naming our buildings after today will be judged by a completely new set of ideals in following generations. No matter how progressive we view those we name our buildings after today, future generations will not view them the same way. Renaming TA Brady Commons because we are judging a man based on our present day morals rather than his actions in the view of the time he lived in sets a bad precedent of renaming buildings with every new generation based on current views rather than past contributions.
While I commend your interest in your University and its past, I encourage you to actually find out about this man and why the building was named after him. Look for the good instead of the bad, the good obviously far outweighs the bad, or the building would not have been named after him.
Consider doing something to truly inform students- invite Thomas Brady’s son, and others who knew him to an open forum, have a real discussion…make this something students learn from rather than bashing a man that is no longer around to defend himself, and you will be far more successful- because whether the building is renamed or not, students will know more about their University.
Joel Vance said...
I am writing a biography of Ward Dorrance, a French professor who was forced to leave the university in 1953 because he was gay. There are letters about Dorrance in the Thomas A. Brady collection at the Western Historical Manuscript Collection, but the files are restricted and need permission from his son. I've written for that, but have heard nothing (and don't expect to). My next step, I guess, is to file an F.O.I. request--but the last two requesting info on Dorrance were stonewalled by the university until the Attorney General's office leaned on them and then they "couldn't find anything."
Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can get into the Brady papers at the WHMC?
Joel Vance (jvance@socket.net)
Freakin' idiots.
Those who do not recognize and respect history are doomed to repeat it.
Few great Americans were and are perfectly politically correct. This man gave a gift to the University and was recognized for it.
How many of you politically correct 'judges' will be able withstand the scrutiny of future generations after you are dead and gone?
Brady Commons has less to do with Thomas Brady and more to do with a tradition at our univeristy. Nobody cared who Tomas Brady was but we cared that we would meet our friends at Brady Commons.
Frankly, kiddies, you and your liberal little ideologues should stop trying to revise history and worry about your own futures. Why don't you focus on how you will financially contribute to the university instead of trying to destroy its traditions.
The minute the University of Missouri buys into this garbage, they will never get another donation from this alum. Period.
As a Missouri Alumnus and proponent of Gay Rights, I would like to leave my comments as being against any change to TA Brady Commons.
While some of the beliefs of Mr. Brady are distasteful, especially when viewed from a modern perspective, they do not negate the many good things he did. He was a devoted educator who dedicated much of his career to the improvement of our University. This dedication to the University is the reason for this honor.
While the comparison to President Jefferson is more apt than the comparison to Ms. Laurie, Erin is correct that they are not relevant to this specific case. Neither would be comments regarding individuals honored in similar ways by other Universities.
The question that should be asked is whether the changing opinions of history should be used to damn historical figures, and whether that damning is appropriate in all cases. Even by the accounts of this web page, the distasteful actions Mr. Brady took part in were hardly out-of-line in their own time, no matter how we may feel about them today.
In the end, the University of Missouri has to work in the best interests of its current students, but it cannot forget its past. Changing the name of TA Brady Commons would be a disservice to the past. If the name becomes a symbol of the mistakes that were made in the past, so be it.
How many of you can honestly claim you've never said anything you regret? Who among you has not said something you later wish you could take back? No one! You're human, just as this man was, and as such, we all make mistakes.
Besides, if we're going to change Brady Common's name, why not get rid of American Literature classics such as, say, "Huck Finn", because it uses racial comments and slurs frequently throughout the book? Nevermind that it has been a classic for years and actually works to belittle slavery. It no longer reflects the views of people today, so we should remove it from our libraries. Blot it out from our history.
Or how about the civil war? Racism, slavery, brother fighting brother...we don't think that way anymore, so lets just forget about it. Rename it the Happy Times and pretend it never happened.
And to say, or even insinuate, this Brady Commons bearing its current name has contributed to the current "racist" climate on campus is ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. How many people, when they see the name, "Brady", think, "Hey, I'm gonna go use racial slurs and push around people of minority"? Besides, what kind of racist attitudes do you even see on campus anymore? Very, very little.
oh give me a break! He's a guy who said some bad stuff, but he is just a guy. No one even thought of the things he said until you guys dragged it out into the open.
the only reasons these words could have any power is because you've given them power over you- over your self-control. You've let a few words get the better of you, and now you're making a fool of yourself over a simple name.
Seriously- get a life and worry about something more important. How about national debt, world peace, starvation, or AIDS? Surely those would be a better use of your time.
Brady was a great man and a devoted educator. Lots of MU students are really tired of Gays trying to hijack Brady Commons. How about this- If a gay person ever succeeds at benefiting our University or donating allot of money we will name something after them. Until then, buildings should only be named after individuals who contribute enormous amounts of time or money to Mizzou.
lol brady BTFO
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