Re: James S. Woodsworth: A man to remember, never to glorify

I would like to thank Marloes Streppel (sic) and the Innis Herald for drawing attention to some of the lesser-known aspects of James Shaver Woodsworth and his views. As a historian, I am well aware of the difficulty of grappling with historical figures who could be quite progressive in advancing one particular cause or social movement, yet whose views in other areas were unacceptable and even repugnant. As a social welfare reformer, pacifist, labour activist, and advocate for adult education, J. S. Woodsworth promoted many of the values that the University of Toronto and Woodsworth College hold dear and continue to uphold. As a man who embraced and propagated the racist, eugenicist, and assimilationist views of his time, especially with regards to Black and Indigenous people, he stands for an ideology that we emphatically reject. I will be proposing a town hall, or series of town halls, to engage in thoughtful discussion about the complexities of these and other historical legacies. My hope is that, as a community, we will be able to confront and acknowledge those complexities without erasing the history. This will not be a quick process. We ask for patience and look forward to further dialogue.

Carol Chin
Associate Professor, Dept. of History
Principal, Woodsworth College