Essay "A Failure to Become Involved"

Essay "A Failure to Become Involved"

This essay was written by University of Richmond student, Richard Cook, who chastises the university for its continuation of its segregation policy. Cook's main argument is that while the university prides itself on being an advanced forward-looking liberal institution, it continues to hold on to its discriminatory policies, a problem Cook admits many Baptist universities faced. Cook also argues that the university's role should be not only to stick to traditional views and norms, but to take active steps in order to push society forward, as to avoid doing so would represent the institution's comfortable place within the past, resulting in the loss of its academic integrity. The article concludes with the statement that for the university to continue to practice segregation would be to fail the students and graduates of the school. Such actions would teach students that it is okay for them to live morally uneducated lives by encouraging close-mindedness and bigotry.

Cook, Richard. "A Failure to Become Involved." <em>The Messenger</em> (Summer 1964): 39-40. University Archives, RG 24 Student Publications. Virginia Baptist Historical Society, Richmond, Virginia.

The Messenger, University of Richmond

1964

Keshara Moore

Gabby Kiser

English

Messenger1964.39-1964