Following the controversy surrounding the naming of the new location of the Gish Theater, the Black
Student Union held a public forum Thursday at Bowling Green State University.
“I think the presentation and all of the communication from everyone in the room is important to the task
force. The task force was present tonight, not everyone, but many of us, and we will be meeting first
thing in the morning, so what we’ve heard here will be important and what we’ve heard from both sides
will be important,” said Raymond Craig, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Craig reported that a determination on the naming will be announced before the end of spring semester.
The task force recommendation for BGSU President Rodney Rogers is due April 17 and the final
determination will be taken to the board of trustees in May.
Passions ran high in the room on Thursday, with several people walking out. The forum was held in a large
lecture hall on campus with almost 100 attending.
“Please let the people speak. One of the rules is: do not interrupt,” said Kyle Thompson, political
action chair of the BSU.
Many different perspectives were given, but the dominant perspective was consistent with that of the BSU.
The BSU position is to change the name of the theater, but the purpose was not to harm any reputations.

“The Black Student Union does not in any way bear ill will toward the Gish sisters or their legacy in
American cinema/film history. Rather, we wish to tell history in great veracity and detail, including
the parts that are deeply problematic,” the group said in a statement.
Calls have been made for changing the name of the theater because of Lillian Gish’s starring role in the
1915 D.W. Griffith film “Birth of a Nation” and its racist portrayal of African-Americans.
“I’m upset with that she is being defined by one film and she is being demonized,” said Barbara Carr, a
1973 BGSU graduate.
From the opposing point of view, the support of director Spike Lee, a winner of the Dorothy and Lillian
Gish Prize was also cited.
“For black people, we were demonized in that film,” said Jaida Jabbaar, a sophomore.
Liz Novinsky said that she is a fan of Lillian Gish, but not the “Birth of a Nation.
“I’m glad I came here tonight because you have opened my eyes,” she said to applause.
Several individuals made statements regarding their experiences not reflecting claims promoting diversity
and inclusiveness.
“BGSU is not a museum. We are trapped in history. We are trapped in history because history plays a part
in the present. Now it is our job to learn from history and make sure it doesn’t happen in the future,”
Jonae Williams said. “For future students to come, I feel like it is important that we remove this name.

The recent racially based attack of two men at the Waffle House in Bowling Green were also brought up as
an additional reason for the the event.
Issues with the theater name emerged after installation of the new Gish Film Theater signage in the
Bowen-Thompson Student Union during the first week of February.
Craig previously said that at the time of its release, “Birth of a Nation” led to a revitalization of the
Ku Klux Klan, playing on controversial images that glorified the KKK to increase ticket sales. Eight
states refused to allow the showing of the film because there were instances of race riots and the
violence associated with it.
Ralph Wolfe, founder of the theater and distinguished professor emeritus of English and Gish Professor of
Film Studies, did not address the forum, but he was present and listened intently.
He has previously said that Lillian Gish’s role as a nurse in the film was not relevant to the sections
on the Ku Klux Klan. He added that when there were public showings of the film during her lifetime, Gish
would decline invitations to attend. The Gish Film Theater has never shown the movie, Wolfe said.
The Gish Film Theater was located at Hanna Hall for 42 years and named in honor of both Lillian and her
sister Dorothy Gish, who were actresses born in Ohio. Lillian’s debut was in Risingsun.
With the changing of Hanna Hall to the new School of Business, the theater was moved to room 206 of the
Bowen-Thompson Student Union. This is a large lecture hall that has undergone renovations to change it
into a theater that can show films.
A message about the connection between Gish and the movie went out on Twitter on Feb. 10 from a Black
Student Union member. Discussions between the BGSU administration and the Black Student Union began Feb.
12.