Sen. Lindsey Graham says name change for Clemson’s Tillman Hall ‘makes sense’
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham says it makes sense to rename a Clemson University building named for a segregationist and white supremacist who advocated for lynching Black people.
Graham, a Republican from Seneca which is near Clemson, made the comments Monday at a Columbia Rotary Club meeting, where he also talked about ongoing race issues and police reform proposals.
“Should we rename Tillman Hall? Makes sense to me,” Graham said. “Should we look at everything anew? Yes, but through this prism. The times in which we live matter. Do you believe we’re all to some extent the product of our environment? So don’t judge somebody in 1820 by the standards of 2020. Judge based more than on a single factor.”
Tillman, served as governor and U.S. senator in South Carolina, advocated for lynching Black people, led efforts to disenfranchise African Americans, and was part of a paramilitary organization that used violence, fraud and intimidation to ensure victory at the ballot box for an ex-Confederate general, according to a Clemson University biography.
In the wake of the death of George Floyd, a Black man, while in Minneapolis police custody, Clemson University has asked that it be allowed to rename a building named for Ben Tillman, changing the name back to Main Hall. However, under South Carolina’s Heritage Act, the university needs approval from the state Legislature to do so.
Floyd’s death sparked nationwide protests led by the Black Lives Matter movement calling for police reforms.
“All I ask is if we reevaluate and look at the past, remember what we’re trying to achieve — not name buildings after perfect people, but honor those who on the whole made it better even though they were wrong a lot,” Graham said.
Graham criticized incidents where crowds tore down statues regardless of whether the removals were sanctioned by local officials.
“These discussions are important, but the one thing that is unacceptable to me is to take the law into your own hands and destroy monuments — the rule of mob, not the rule of law,” Graham said speaking to reporters prior to his remarks.
Graham also addressed the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, saying the country needs more coronavirus testing before schools reopen in the fall.
He encouraged people to listen to the governor when it comes to stopping the spread of the virus, wear masks and steer clear of crowds.
“I would recommend not going to a large gathering without a mask. I would recommend if you went to a gathering to try to social distance,” Graham said when asked about the president’s large gatherings during the weekend. “The evidence is pretty strong, the virus can be easily spread and it’s dangerous to a certain segment of the population. My hope is people will follow the governor’s urging to be responsible citizens. Hopefully by the fall we’ll get a little bit of a break.”
Graham also said because of the rising case counts, the tourism economy in Myrtle Beach will be smaller this year.
“Myrtle beach is the preferred destination. The bad news is we see a spike in cases as we’re are around each other more. The summer season around Myrtle Beach is going to be a fraction of what it would have been before the virus. But there is no substitute for social distancing,” Graham said. “Bars probably need to stay closed for a while because that’s where a lot of young people contract the disease and spread it to their parents and grandparents.”
However, Graham didn’t endorse a statewide closure of bars, as has taken place in other states.
“I think that is something to look at in each region,” Graham said. “All parts of the state are not the same. You see people gathering in bars. You saw that in Clemson. Just use good common sense. When you gather in more than 10 people, you run the risk if you don’t wear a mask and don’t socially distance.”
This story was originally published July 6, 2020 at 5:01 PM.
