Anna Julia Cooper's The Colored Woman

Wilson’s efforts to expand Princeton into a complete university included raising the academic standards, creating majors, and initiating lectures held by professors. Princeton honored him by establishing the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs in addition to its residential complex also in his name. Here, it is evident that Wilson has created a positive learning environment that eventually turned into one of the greatest institutions in the country and has in a way, earned his high regard. However, the murals of him, quotes by him, and other reminders of his efforts can also be seen as controversial because it is a constant reminder of his history of wrong doings against black people. By removing black officials from

The colored woman has the position in society that can and must influence change because she understands what it is like to be inferior in terms of race and gender. In doing so, the colored woman has the special ability to understand social struggles and be the one to spark revolution by being an “active agent.” She says, “No other hand can move the lever” (Cooper 125). Also, Cooper’s idea of agency, the capacity of individuals to influence social change, is ultimately difficult to defy, especially for a minority group. Therefore, there can’t be a one-way street; in other words, other races in society need to reciprocate positive change. To relate Cooper’s ideas to Princeton, the Black Justice League is the collective group that is initiating the change, but the change will only be successful if the other races on campus support it as well and vote for the expunging of Wilson’s name. Consequently, Cooper argues that there is strength in numbers when she says, “Only the Black woman can say, ‘when and where I enter, in the quiet, undisputed dignity of my womanhood, without violence and without suing or special patronage, then and there the whole Negro race enters with me’” (Cooper 135). With this being said, Princeton’s Black Justice League is acting as a powerful initiator, but having a vote on a campus where 8% of the students are black will not be efficient if other races, like the white people on campus, are also supportive. Cooper’s ideas also coincide with the removal of Wilson’s name when she says, “We must go to the root and see that that is sound and healthy and vigorous; and not deceive ourselves with waxen flowers and painted leaves of mock chlorophyll” (Cooper 135). This metaphor suggests that on the exterior, Princeton’s campus seems socially equal. However, the