Ralph Wright (1907-1946) was an African American student in the Williams College class of 1928. He was active in many student organizations, and was denied access to the Commons Club due to his race. Through letters written between Wright’s father, a lawyer at the Department of Justice, and College President Harry Garfield, we learn the extent of this denial. There was room, and the Commons Club just didn’t want him. This went against the values of the Commons Club. After being admitted to the hall, Ralph began eating meals there.

Then one day, when Ralph went to dinner with a few of his African American friends, they were told they weren’t welcome there due to “space issues.” Now Ralph had no access to food, as the Commons Club was the only dining hall not affiliated with a fraternity. The Board of Trustees ruled that President Garfield had authority over the issue, and Garfield was adamant that absolutely no one could be denied membership to the Commons Club. However, the issue didn’t resolve, and the leaders of the Club continued finding new ways to exclude Wright.

-Serenity Young-Ferguson and Eli Silverman

All items from: Wright, Ralph Clarke, discrimination at Commons Club, 1924-1925. Office of the President Records. AC9. Box 44, Folder 127. Williams College Archives and Special Collections.