A Remarkable Conundrum
April 22, 1905
Summary
Professor W. H. H. Hart argues that “all prevalent practice of designating people as ‘colored’ and ‘white’ should be stopped.”
Transcription
If we are to accept the statements of the Washington, D. C., Record, it seems that Prof. W. H. H. Hart is still with us and of us. Under the caption of “Prof. Hart and His Critics” it says:
Prof. W. H. H. Hart, who is just now conspicuously before the public has been made the target of some non-sensical criticism, due to his insistence that he be treated as an American citizen should be treated. It is well known that he be not misunderstood.
At the time of securing his marriage license, the clerk placed the word “colored” after Prof. Hart’s name. Whereupon Prof. Hart inquired of his authority for so doing. To the inquiry the clerk responded that it was customary to make such designations. Prof. Hart told him not to do it-- and jocularly queried, “Why not make it customary to designate by using the word white?”
This is all there is to it. Prof. Hart did not say that he was a white man, nor that he was not a white. He questioned the legal right of anyone to officially designate him as colored.
This is in keeping with Prof. Hart’s well known consistency on this point.
Prof. Hart believes that he is right. He is a citizen of the United States, and believes that all prevalent practice of designation people as “colored” and “white” should be stopped, as it is invidious, and helps to perpetuate prejudice and establish a line of caste.
It is thought that the criticism of Prof. Hart is due more to the fact of his having been so favorably mentioned as candidate for the recordership of deeds than for any other reason.
The gentle reminder that Prof. Hart may consent to the presentation of his name as a candidate for the Recordership of Deeds of the District of Columbia, may in a measure account for this rather remarkable explanation.
We are glad to know, however, that we have not lost the professor, even though he persistently declines to personally enlighten the public upon the subject.
Prof. W. H. H. Hart, who is just now conspicuously before the public has been made the target of some non-sensical criticism, due to his insistence that he be treated as an American citizen should be treated. It is well known that he be not misunderstood.
At the time of securing his marriage license, the clerk placed the word “colored” after Prof. Hart’s name. Whereupon Prof. Hart inquired of his authority for so doing. To the inquiry the clerk responded that it was customary to make such designations. Prof. Hart told him not to do it-- and jocularly queried, “Why not make it customary to designate by using the word white?”
This is all there is to it. Prof. Hart did not say that he was a white man, nor that he was not a white. He questioned the legal right of anyone to officially designate him as colored.
This is in keeping with Prof. Hart’s well known consistency on this point.
Prof. Hart believes that he is right. He is a citizen of the United States, and believes that all prevalent practice of designation people as “colored” and “white” should be stopped, as it is invidious, and helps to perpetuate prejudice and establish a line of caste.
It is thought that the criticism of Prof. Hart is due more to the fact of his having been so favorably mentioned as candidate for the recordership of deeds than for any other reason.
The gentle reminder that Prof. Hart may consent to the presentation of his name as a candidate for the Recordership of Deeds of the District of Columbia, may in a measure account for this rather remarkable explanation.
We are glad to know, however, that we have not lost the professor, even though he persistently declines to personally enlighten the public upon the subject.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Lower Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Ryan Shah
Citation
“A Remarkable Conundrum,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed February 14, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/355.