This week marks the 14th Annual Social Justice Week on the campus of West Virginia Wesleyan College. Last year’s publicity (2018) explained why it is that this is such an important event. It said:
Social Justice week celebrates the social justice roots of the College through the United Methodist tradition. There are several events and opportunities that will engage participants in various social justice issues, from poverty, racial equality, modern slavery, and more.
Social Justice issues are not new. Some have been around for centuries while others change with the times. Any time there is inequity, prejudice, poverty, war, or an entitlement mentality you will find social justice conversations happening. Any time there is a group of people that feels entitled, or when there are policies in place that need changing in order for people to be treated justly, you will find social justice conversations happening. They have happened at West Virginia Wesleyan for more than one hundred years.
Early Conversations
The September 1900 issue of The Seminary Collegiate shows that students were writing and speaking about issues such as post-Civil War America, hazing and educational policies in military schools, what constitutes heroism, and racism.
Debating was a major component of the Wesleyan experience for many decades, and the topics considered very often fell into the area of Social Justice. Each of the two Literary Societies had full-fledged debates once a month. Later, a debate team emerged which won many intercollegiate debate tournaments. This resulted in students who were well prepared in researching, reading, critical thinking, debating, and communicating their thoughts about the issues of their times.
Here are but a few samples of the kinds of issues being debated – with arguments being presented both affirmative and negative. This helped to prepare well informed leaders for the future.
Resolved:
- 1891 That the right of suffrage shall be extended to women.
- 1891 That the Railroads and Telegraph lines should be owned by the government.
- 1891 That the Steam Engine is more beneficial to mankind than the Printing Press.
- 1891 That the Pulpit wields a greater influence for good than the Printing Press. (It would appear that the negative argument prevailed here.)
- 1891 That the Negroes have a greater right to complain of ill treatment at the hands of the U.S. than the Indians. (It would also appear that the negative argument prevailed in this one.)
- 1900 That more restrictive immigration laws would be beneficial to the United States
- 1900 That the Ancient Greeks were more patriotic than are Americans
- 1900 That Government would not be possible without morality
- 1900 That the action of the United States in regard to our new possessions is commendable
- 1900 That idleness should be prohibited by law and work should be furnished by the State to those unable to secure employment
- 1907 That there should be an educational qualification for Suffrage
- 1910 That Nickelodeans are more of a detriment than benefit to public morals
- 1914 That the nations should disarm and settle all disputes by abitration
- 1925 The constitution of the United States should be amended to give Congress power to regulate child labor.
- 1927 That the primary system of nominations should be discontinued
- 1930 That public conscience should be directed by Prohibition
- 1948 That the federal government should adopt a policy of equalizing educational opportunity in tax-supported schools by means of annual grants
A Strong Voice and Great Mentor
This is also Women’s History Month, and a great time to highlight a Woman of Wesleyan who encompasses both strong women and social justice. That person is Dr. Florence Weirick Schaper — Teacher, Counselor, Mentor, Leader.
1962 Murmurmontis
Dr. Schaper taught Sociology from 1950-1967. She also became the head of the revised Counseling and Guidance program in 1954. She had been very active in her profession for many years, and was retired from the military as a Lieutennant Commander. President Scarborough said the following as he announced this appointment:
Dr. Schaper’s previous experience in this field includes being Director of Student Guidance and Personnel for ten years at Lindenwood College, St. Charles, Missouri. During that time she was President of the St. Louis Branch of the National Vocational Guidance Association which is concerned with integrating education and industry. Dr. Schaper has been an active member in the American College Personnel Association for many years. During World War II she had military leave of absence from her educational work while she served as a Naval Reserve officer in Communications Personnel.
While heading up the Counseling and Guidance program, she exhibited her leadership working closely with the following group, and eventually also initiated the New Student Placement Service:
- Miss Nellie G. Wilson, Dean of Women
- Professor John D. Shaver, Dean of Men
- Rev. Sidney T. Davis, College Chaplain
- Mr. Donald Flynn, Director of Group Ministry
She also continued her role as Professor and Head of the Department of Sociology, where the following courses were being taught:
- Fundamentals of Social Problems
- Principles of Sociology
- Social Problems
- Cultural Anthropology
- Race and Ethnic Relations
- Social Disorganization
- Rural Sociology
- Urban Sociology
- Community Organization and Leadership
- The Field of Social Work
- Social Organization and Reconstruction
- The Family
- Criminology
- Child Welfare
- Social Theory
She worked closely with students, mentoring future leaders in the field of Sociology and Social Work, cooking dinner for them and providing programs, research opportunities and field experiences. From what I hear, she was available to them at any time during the week except when the Metropolitan Opera was being aired on the radio on Saturday afternoons!
Social Justice Week Continues Great Legacy
I believe that somewhere, Dr. Florence Schaper is watching the current students at Wesleyan as they celebrate Social Justice Week. That she would be right in the middle of it all if she were still on campus today. Maybe expanding on one of her courses from the 1950s: Social Disorganization!
Having read so much about Dr. Florence Schaper, and hearing about her from many who knew her, I would imagine that she would love nothing more than to cheer on the wonderful and socially aware students of modern-day Wesleyan in their work for Social Justice.
(Click here to see a list of those who have taught and mentored Sociology and Related Disciplines at West Virginia Wesleyan)