Ryerson was progressive for his time and had no direct participation in the residential school system. Nor was he pro-slavery. In fact, if you look at his writings he tended to be apolitical and held views on politicians and the media that many of us would still agree with. He laid the foundation for an educational system that would allow every child in Canada the fundamental right to receive an education and wallow in ignorance and live a life governed by archaic superstitions. We should be celebrating his legacy rather than erasing his name from history.