Is Tuskegee Safe for Obama’s Visit?

President Barack Obama gathered with his family on the Edmund Pettus Bridge to observe the 50th anniversary of Selma's Bloody Sunday. He urged Congress to restore the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Photo Credits: Kendra Hart,Ph. D.
President Barack Obama gathered with his family on the Edmund Pettus Bridge to observe the 50th anniversary of Selma’s Bloody Sunday. He urged Congress to restore the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Photo Credits: Kendra Hart,Ph. D.

TUSKEGEE (Cascade Press)

For several weeks now Tuskegee University President Brian Johnson has been hinting on social media that President Barack Obama or First Lady Michelle Obama would visit the campus. The speculation is that one of them would give the commencement address at next month’s graduation exercises.

However, recent violence on campus may call into question whether the university has the law enforcement resources to secure president Obama or Mrs. Obama.  The baccalaureate ceremony is scheduled during next month’s  Mothers Day weekend.

Brian Johnson's Facebook post alerting one and all of an impending visit from President Obama before receiving clearance from the White House to do make the announcement.
Brian Johnson’s Facebook post alerting one and all of an impending visit from President Obama before receiving clearance from the White House to make the announcement. Photo Credit courtesy Brian Johnson’s Facebook Page

In January two students were shot at a house party  off campus near Logan Hall. The location of the January shooting incident is on property formerly owned by the university. Although it now has a private owner, it would be considered on the main campus.

Sources have reported to Cascade Press that on last Saturday several fights broke out in the Daniel “Chappie” James Center. A hip-hop concert was being held at this venue. It is reported that one female student was pushed to the floor and trampled by stamping students who were attempting to get out when the fights started.

Once outside students reported to their parents that they heard gun shots. It is believed that the gun shots came from the parking lot near the Engineering Building.

This month Tuskegee University welcomed Young Thug to campus. Next month it hopes to welcome President Obama at commencement exercises. The Pride of the Swift Growing South continues to present the very best in the African American Experience. Photo from Young Thugs social media posting.
This month Tuskegee University welcomed Young Thug to campus. Next month it hopes to welcome President Obama at commencement exercises. The Pride of the Swift Growing South continues to present the very best in the African American Experience. Photo from Young Thugs social media posting.

In concert was hip-hop artist Young Thug. One parent said that a mid-level university official called and advised her to talk with her student about not attending the concert because Young Thug has a reputation of causing violence during his performances. Her student did not attend the concert.

Another parent was told by her student, that “there were ambulances everywhere.” It is not known how many students were injured and needed medical attention. Earlier reports indicate that one student was shot, but the university has not confirmed that anyone was shot nor that there was a violent incident on campus. Efforts to reach the university for comment have not been successful.

As late as 11:00 o’clock p. m. Central Standard Time, on Monday, the university had not posted a comment about the incident on the university’s website. Neither had the university sent any communication to parents notifying them of a campus shooting.

According to one senior university official, the university has not released a statement to administrators or department heads about the incident. This official speculates that the university is trying to cover-up the shooting so as not to alarm the White House before the President’s impending visit.

 

Harold Michael Harvey, is the author of the legal thriller “Paper Puzzle,” and “Justice in the Round: Essays on the American Jury System,” available at Amazon and at haroldmichaelharvey.com. He can be contacted at hmharvey@haroldmichaelharvey.com

 

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Published by Michael

Harold Michael Harvey is a Past President of The Gate City Bar Association and is the recipient of the Association’s R. E. Thomas Civil Rights Award. He is the author of Paper Puzzle and Justice in the Round: Essays on the American Jury System, and a two-time winner of Allvoices’ Political Pundit Prize. His work has appeared in Facing South, The Atlanta Business Journal, The Southern Christian Leadership Conference Magazine, Southern Changes Magazine, Black Colleges Nines, and Medium.

3 replies on “Is Tuskegee Safe for Obama’s Visit?”

  1. It’s very important for Pres. or Mrs. Obama to visit Tuskegee. Maybe this will encourage everyone to clean up the city and their behaviors. Besides, the White House will provide their own extensive security on the ground and in the surrounding air space. As a young girl visiting relatives on a regular basis, I thought Tuskegee was “the place” to live. It was beautiful and the residents had pride. In 1976, I graduated from TI. and as I return often, it is disheartening to see a lack of progress in the city regarding jobs, economics, crime, aesthetics, recreation, support for education, and etc. Whether one of the Obama’s attend or not, the city of Tuskegee needs to get themselves in a progressive mode so the campus and the city will complement each other.

  2. I would love to see the president go to Tuskegee! Nevertheless this doesn’t negate the fact that it’s TIME for the new younger Alums to force the campus to move into the 20th Century.

    There are still senior Alums that care. They have the wisdom and the younger generation had the power to be congruent.

  3. Mrs. Smith, you make a good point. The student population is afraid of President Johnson. He pushed through legislation in the Student Conduct Handbook that prevents students from speaking critically about campus issues, especially on social media. They could be suspended or expelled from the school by the student disciplinary board if they are found to have violated this directive. While such a policy is not permitted under the federal and Alabama constitutions, it will not change until some students or a student challenge Johnson on this issue and sue the university for denying them their constitutional right to express their views.

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