Before becoming a general, a president, or a legend, George Washington — like all Americans before 1776 — was a colonial. He lived in a colony.
But a student petition at George Washington University launched in the name of all the school’s “students, faculty, and staff” to banish the university nickname “Colonials” is underway. Why? The term and their mascot, a cartoon Washington caricature, have been labeled as “offensive” to “the nation and world at large.” The name, the students argue, has been “historically, negatively-charged” and holds “a connection to colonization and glorifies the act of systemic oppression.”
The proposed solution: a rebranding to the “Hippos” or “Riverhorses” after a hippopotamus statue purchased in an antique store and donated in 1996. Only about 150 more signatures are needed to force an administration review.
Changing the name is another step toward forgetting, or even vilifying, the people and ideals that founded the nation. While the student petition correctly identifies the darker side of colonialism, it overlooks the importance of the colonials and Washington to spreading ideals of freedom, liberty, and equality throughout our nation and the world. A hippo mascot rejects the inarguable connections between colonials and the birth of the U.S. The name should remain — or if it must be changed, at least keep it tied to the country’s or Washington’s history.
Does anyone recall the tale of Washington crossing the Delaware on the back of his hippopotamus? Or how about the old joke, what color was Washington’s grey-pink riverhorse?
Originally founded as Columbia College in 1821, George Washington University has experienced name changes before. The selection of the Colonials name in 1926 was made “in just regard for our precious heritage” to commemorate “the warriors wearing the Buff and Blue.” The term “Buff and Blue” refers of course to the uniform colors of Washington’s Virginia colonial militia during the French and Indian War, and of the Continental Army during the Revolution. The name Colonials ties to the creation of an American identity.
The petition organizers themselves acknowledge that the Colonials nickname had an “innocent” intention, but supporters maintain that the “disgusting” name is “a literal representation of the systematic extermination and oppression of global communities for white profit and power.” One signer supports the change because it could increase attendance at sporting events. Another mistakenly declares, “George Washington wasn’t even a colonial.”
Washington started his life as a British colonial and became an American Revolutionary. The ideas and actions of colonials helped free a nation from oppression and establish the standards of U.S. democracy, which sparked quests for liberty around the globe. Basically advancing the same principles the petitioners hope to highlight. Washington became immortalized as a symbol of liberty and proper rule. In 1823, Ecuadorian politician Vincente Rocafuerte said that all leaders would abuse power “unless he is a hero like Washington, or like [Simon] Bolivar.” Others seeking to liberate themselves from European oppression celebrated Washington and colonial resistance.
Surprisingly, Washington does have hippo connections: He was interested in a farm tool named the hippopotamus to remove manure from river beds, and his famous false teeth featured hippopotamus ivory. If the name change is made, doesn’t this open up the potential for others to take offense to Mount Vernon’s slave-based agriculture, or the inclusion of slave teeth in Washington’s dentures, or even the ivory trade?
There have been instances where antiquated school and athletic team names have been inherently offensive, and have been or should be changed. But in this context and for most Americans, the name Colonials holds a meaningful connection with the country’s origins.
Washington was not perfect, nor were the American colonists, but they are representative of something bigger than themselves. The students, like the revolutionary colonists, are petitioning for change. But if a change needs to be made, let it be a name that reflects the legacy of Washington. Although not listed in the petition, the name “Revolutionaries” was advanced. It makes sense, and is actually better. Or perhaps the “Continentals?” Such names could allow both sides to win. But will this be enough, or will arguments about the Revolution not extending full rights of citizenship to all trump the spirit of liberty it created throughout the world? Will the name George Washington ultimately be next?
Craig Bruce Smith is an assistant professor of history at William Woods University and the author of American Honor: The Creation of the Nation’s Ideals during the Revolutionary Era.
