It is no secret that our University has a shameful history when it comes to racism.

Many of the earliest students were the scions of slave-owning plantation families.

These students endowed the University with racist ideologies, a set of ideas that characterized the University for decades.

It was not until the 1960s that the University was officially integrated. This occurred only after a series of near-violent student protests and riots.

The University has made commendable efforts to eradicate any racist blemishes.

But one ugly remnant of its bigoted heritage remains — Russell Hall.

Russell Hall is a towering tribute to white supremacy.

The building, one of the most visible on the University’s campus, is named after Sen. Richard Russell Jr., perhaps the most ardent white supremacist in the history of our illustrious state.

This is not an easy feat to accomplish. Sen. Russell dedicated a significant portion of his senatorial career to precluding the advancement of civil rights for black people in our country.

Russell is notable among political historians for his frequent use of the filibuster in order to prevent the passage of civil right bills in the Senate.

The senator was indefatigable in his effort to perennially block legislation that would protect black people from unequal treatment and from lynching.

An infamous advocate of white supremacy, Russell inelegantly wrote about his dismay for civil rights in a document he coauthored, “Southern Manifesto.”

Russell maintained his seething hatred for equal treatment of black people for his entire life.

He never apologized  for his reprehensible beliefs.

The University should be ashamed that one of its largest buildings pays homage to such a revolting man and to the disgusting belief system that he championed.

Immediate action must be taken to rename Russell Hall.

The administration must create a committee that will make a concerted and deliberate effort to efface the memory of Richard Russell on our campus.

Every day of inaction to change the name is another day that the University sends the message that it honors a man who hated people because of their race.

Perhaps the new name of the hall should honor a Georgian who made valiant efforts to further the cause of civil rights. Martin Luther King Hall or John Lewis Hall has a much less bigoted ring to it, don’t you think?

The University cannot move past its racist history until it desists in the memorializing of such an ardently racist figure.

Then, and only then, can the University step away from its racist history and into a brighter future.

— Zach Nikonovich-Kahn is an alumnus from Atlanta