WKU students react to reinstallation of a Civil War marker

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- A Civil War marker at Western Kentucky University is now reinstalled, nearly 18 months after its removal. Its new location is in front of the Kentucky Museum.

Students had mixed reactions to the marker.

The historical marker was removed while the new Hilltopper Hall building was under construction. It used to be right in front of the building but has moved several feet up the street.

The sign says that Bowling Green was the former state capital of the Confederacy.

“It is a part of history, but that’s a part of history that we don’t want to be associated with. We need to let that go,” said Mario Wright, a student at WKU.

Wright also said that he wants the sign removed.

“That’s something that they need to remove, because it’s like living in the past.  In this society we’re trying to progress, and that’s putting us back toward where we used to be,” said Wright.

Some students don’t find the sign offensive.

“It could be offensive to certain people. I don’t find it offensive, but I could see where it would be offensive,” student Kennedy Smith said.

Public opposition to symbols of the Confederacy has grown, but some students said the issue has been blown out of proportion.

“It’s not as big of a deal as people make it,” Smith said.

National debate over Confederacy symbols has sometimes led to their removal.

“I do see the reason why it’s offensive to some people, so I think that there’s some that could possibly be taken down,” student Hunter Hawkings said.

The Bowling Green chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People told WNKY in a statement that the local organization is not focused on monuments.

“It’s not really an issue as far as the NAACP is concerned,” said NAACP Bowling Green chapter president Ryan Dearbone said. “We are more focused on current issues involving race and racial inequalities and civil rights.”