Minorities Also Deserve Space on Harvard Walls

To the editors:

I applaud the article by Kate L. Rakoczy ’04 addressing the issue of the lack of representation of women in the portraiture at Harvard (News, “Men Still Rule on Harvard’s Walls, Feb. 27). Indeed, such representation is crucial to honoring the contributions of women to the University, as well as to give the message that “women are a part of this community at every level.” This lack of representation is also true, if not more so, for the communities of color at Harvard. A striking example is the bust of W.E.B. DuBois, which is the only person of color represented out of a total of 45 figures—all male—in Annenberg Dining Hall. It is in fact, one of the only representations of a person of color on the entire campus, and is, ironically, cast in white porcelain.

We do need more representation of women in portraiture, but any such discussion should also include women of color; they’re women too.

While it is important to recognize the exclusion of women at Harvard, we must also remember that many other communities continue to be marginalized as well. We must to continue to ensure Harvard lives up to its commitment to diversity on so many different levels, and that the University is a community that is inclusive of all.

W. L. “Lonnie” Everson ’02

Feb. 27, 2002

The writer is chair of the Student Advisory Council to the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations.