On July 3rd, 1983 the newly renovated and renamed Langston Middle School was dedicated. W. Dean Wolfe gave the dedication speech, excerpts of which are included here, explaining why the school was renamed after John Mercer Langston. (more on Langston))The dedication of the refurbished middle school on Langstons name is a tardy but inspiring way to rediscover and acclaim this Class of 1849 graduate.
"Belated but justly due recognition and honor were bestowed posthumously last summer upon John Mercer Langston, who earned his AB from Oberlin in 1849, the AM in 1852 and graduated from the Theological Seminary in 1853."
"A relentless abolitionist, Langston was totally sympathetic to John Brown's agitations to end slavery; however he declined Brown's invititation to accompany him on that fateful Harper's Ferry Raid on the grounds that he could be most helpful working within the law."
"He was elected in 1894 to the presidency of the National Equal Rights League, a forerunner of the NAACP, and was relentless in his advocacy of Negro suffrafe on the grounds that loyal and responsible citizenship had been ample demonstrated by black Americans."
"Let us be reminded that the people of Oberlin cared for each other in extraordinary ways in thw 1840's, 50's and 60's, and they cared for those in the wider human community as well. Oberlin nurtured John Langston, and he responded with a life devoted to education and public service. If one were to write belated epitaph for him today, it could read simply 'John Mercer Langston, tireless public servent, but never in servitudes.'"
"The Lanston name oon the new middle school should be a source of pride for all the boys and girls who attend it, and it should serve as a reminder to all others that a high standard was set for us by those early Oberlinians."
this statement was printed in the Oberlin Alumni Magazine, issue 40, Winter 1984, pages 13-16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|