Category: Article

Ode To My Segregated Schools

By Michael April 15, 2015 Off

This is an ode to my segregated schools. In my educational experience I have attended three. At the  time, the law demanded that I attend those schools and none other. I love my segregated schools.

I woke up this morning, feeling like I did the morning after George Zimmerman had been cleared of the murder charges in the killing of Trayvon Martin. After a robust cup of java it dawned on me that the cause of my dread was not a repeat of that dreary morning two years ago. read more

Is Tuskegee Safe for Obama’s Visit?

By Michael April 14, 2015 Off

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. read more

Tuskegee Student Shot

By Michael April 13, 2015 Off

TUSKEGEE (Cascade Publishing)

According to several parents who have students attending Tuskegee University, a Tuskegee student was shot in the leg over the weekend. The name of the student has not been released, but it is believed that the student is from the metropolitan Atlanta area.

Anonymous sources inside the Tuskegee City Police Department said, “the student was shot while attending a hip-hop concert in the Daniel “Chappie” James Center.” However, the City of Tuskegee has left the investigation of the incident up to the Tuskegee University Police Department. A call to the university’s Chief of Police, Patrick Mardis, seeking information about the shooting was not returned by publication time. Also, messages left with the president’s office and the public information office were not returned. read more

Teachers, Mobsters, Oh My

By Michael April 2, 2015 Off

I went to bed last night shaking my head in disbelief. I woke up this morning feeling odd and thinking that teachers and mobsters used in the same sentence is an incongruous thought.  Surely, I had dreamed that 11 teachers in the Atlanta Public Schools had been convicted of racketeering in an organized crime scheme to defraud Atlanta inner city children out of an education. read more

Baseball, Glory, Glory, Baseball!

By Michael March 31, 2015 Off

Baseball. That game of nine men pitted against nine other men which begins during the chill of early spring and ends with the thrills of a chilly autumn classic is upon us once again. I’ve always looked forward to the opening of baseball season.

Opening Day of the baseball season was a signal in my youth that the winter was over and it was time to get out of the house and move around a bit. A chance to pound your fist into the palm of your glove, spit in it and get the leather supple for the next baseball thrown or hit your way. read more

Who Runs Tuskegee?

By Michael March 24, 2015 Off

Who runs Tuskegee University?

In 1880 Tuskegee was established as a teacher’s college with a self-perpetuating Board of Trustees. They elected their successors and are responsible to no one.

The initial Trustees were Lewis Adams, the Negro Shopkeeper who actually founded the school; George Campbell, a white banker befriended by Adams and a representative; appointed by the State of Alabama in exchange for an annual appropriation of $2,000 for teachers’ salaries. read more

Dr. Johnson Center of TU Storm

By Michael March 23, 2015 Off

Dr. Brian L. Johnson, the new president at Tuskegee University is at the center of a storm brewing on the East Alabama campus, that once reveled itself as the “pride of the swift growing South.”

Johnson’s tenure got off to a rocky start when many in the alumni community questioned his lack of senior executive experience at the postsecondary level. read more

Tuskegee Protest Day 2

By Michael March 21, 2015 Off

The student protest at Tuskegee University continued into its second day. Friday approximately 100 students assembled at the Booker T. Washington monument. They demanded that the Board of Trustees fire President Brian J0hnson by the end of the day.

The board did not fire Johnson.

One board member, who requested anonymity in a phone conversation, said “it is unlikely the Board will terminate Johnson’s contract.” read more

Tuskegee Protest Underway

By Michael March 20, 2015 Off

Tuskegee University students have issued a demand to the school’s Board of Trustees to fire newly- appointed President Brian Johnson. Johnson has been on the job for less than a year. He was selected by the Tuskegee Board of Trustees at the behest of Board Chairman General (Ret.) Charles Williams. read more

Obama’s Transformative Presidency

By Michael March 20, 2015 Off

You have to give it to President Barack Obama, if his presidency has been anything, it has been transformative. First Obama transformed the way Wall Street does business after it became obvious that the old system was fraught with fraud.

Then he overhauled the healthcare industry in the country by making it mandatory for all Americans to have health insurance. Today, more people are insured than at any time in American history. read more