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OMG! This is so beautiful. Black History isn’t told too our children as it should be.
C. Raven, I agree with you, “Black History isn’t told to our children as it should be.” Please share this account with the young people in your social sphere.
Exellent piece on eating healthy. I will share it on my timeline along with other information that I find on the subject.
Thanks for sharing this important information.
How timely for me. I’m currently reading The Quick and Easy Palo Cookbook and am ready to give it a try. The hard part for me will be giving up the beans because I don’t eat meat. Thanks for your suggestions.
You are welcome. I’m glad you found this piece on cooking and eating Paleo helpful. I understand how important beans are to a veg. I think you will find quinoa to be a versatile alternative. Keep me posted on your progress.
It is amazing that many of Dr Kings words remain relevant and true today, keep up and continue to lead in the fight for justice and equality Ambassador Ellis.
Thank you for your comments. However, I am not sure who the Ambassador Ellis is that you reference in your comment.
Praise God for the courage at that time these young men showed. JT I after all these years you still surprise me.
The courage of the 80, was your worship to the Mighty God we serve. I’m proud of you Bro!!!
Jerry
An astounding glance into the college football universe. This piece was well written that even a sports novice like me could enjoy. Fasinating, Mr. Harold Michael Harvey, thank you.
Ms. Teri-Michelle, thanks so much for reading my work and for those kind words. I hope you will come often to haroldmichaelharvey.com and share the articles you read here.
All hail President Barack Obama. Thank you, Mr. H., for giving us a monumental report. Bless the families.
T-M, it was a great speech. I hope the American people take it to heart and begin to bring about the healing that the nation needs in these perilous times.
Good article. I agree with your sentiments about racism in America and that hatred of black Americans by many white Americans is much deeper and stronger than we know, even in the Christian community. It is spiritual and other-worldly.
Valinda Lewis, thanks for the compliment on the article. You are so correct in your view that it is spiritual and other-wordly. This racism thing is deeper than we can imagine. We only get the jest of the racist taunts that sees the light of day. I’m told these kinds of conversations go on all the time. As a black person I can say that the subject of white people seldom comes up when black people get together. So I am having a problem processing why there is this fascination with white people for black people.
Harold, well spoken truth. The facts are clear. We are not crazy enough to believe, “Good Whites” want to hang out with us, any more than “Good Blacks” with them. It is the hate incited killing of black people we want stopped. America, was not built by white men, it was built by and sustained by the mother of black people across this globe.
Piavazelle Jerome, you are so correct, we desperately want “the hate incited killing of black people” to stop.
Good article Harold…. don’t forget that today is Harriet Tubman Day. ..since her death 102 years ago…. her fight for freedom continues even in today’s world…. her struggle must continue and the names she was called 100 plus years ago are still prevalent today…. Are the generations rewinding or just never left? Our children will face racism even at a young age of 4, 5 15 etc.. .. Have we stopped fighting the fight or we got to complacent/comfortable with where we are?
Rita, you raise some very serious questions that the collective village must answer.
I hope that the board LISTENS to the students. This is major.
I agree this is major. also, I hope the Board listens to the students. I just received a report that the board is meeting with the students as I type. Hopefully something good will come out of this.
Student voices are the hallmark of our heritage at Tuskegee. It would be tragic if the Trustees don’t hear from them!!!
This is a recruitment tool. ” students matter”!!
This is so true.
I am a business woman from the city of Tuskegee and I support the students.
I believe the student’s cause is just. It would be helpful if members of the community, the faculty and staff would write letters to the Board of Trustees and have those letters delivered before they open their meeting tomorrow morning.
I support the students but if they are successful in having the President removed, we turn the selection of the next President to the same group that brought us the last 3. (2 Presidents and 1 Acting President). Unless there is a change in the Board’s leadership the next President will be worst than the last. Charles Williams has to go and we need to reassess the remaining members Board of Trustees to determine what value they add!!!
You have expressed a very good point. The problem does not just lie in the person holding down the president’s seat. The board that appointed him and forced Dr. Rochon to throw in the towel before his contract was up must shoulder the blame for the university being stuck in the mud for the past three years.The alumni must hold the board accountable for what is happening at Tuskegee today.
Please get these major issues and problems corrected @ Tuskegee, We need to keep the “GOOD” name for Tuskegee.
Students make the University and must be listened too for concerns and hopefully resolved.
Do what is right and keep the University on good foot.
A concerned Alumni, class of 1963 and 1967.
Hopefully, the Board will carefully consider the student’s concerns.
I’m not sure I understand what you are saying in the first six sentences of your comment. I cannot comment on them. However, this post does not discuss any disconnect between students and the community. It does reference a disconnect with the Johnson administration and the Tuskegee community. Also, your reference to a shooting incident reference the event taking place off campus. In a technical sense you are correct. However, that house near the tennis court is only off campus because it now has a private owner. When you and I were students, that property belonged to the university and was very much a part of campus life. Additionally, I disagree with your trivialization of the student’s concerns. The campus community is their community and they should develop interests that are of concern to them. I applaud their initiative in bringing their concerns to the Board of Trustees. Thus far this protest has been peaceful and I applaud them for the manner in which they have petitioned their governing body for the redress of their grievances. Give them a chance to express themselves. They will only be young adults for a short period of their lives.
Stick together but don’t break any laws like we did. Be sure to keep outside agitators out, and follow good leadership.
Sound advice.
Honestly there has been some back and forth about the whole issue with President Johnson. Lest we forget these issues have. Even going on since Peyton was in office. Another thing, has anyone looked at the FULL list of demands? I have heard from students themselves that most of the demands are frivolous. Am I saying that President Johnson is perfect ,no. But am I saying there are two sides to everything, yes. As far as a disconnect between the students and community, its ALWAYS been there. From my parents generation at Tuskegee to mine, its always been there and recent events has made it worse (shootings of students off campus). He hasn’t been there a year give it a min.
The Tuskegee President position has heavy weight responsibilities as you can see. Mr Johnson probably is an excellent scholar. He is finding the expectations of a president are king sized and duties extend from the Tuskegee campus to the stars. There is one person I know of who has carried the water for this prestigious university. Benjamin Franklin Payton. We shall not break due to current mishaps of our freshman president. As a scholar Mr Johnson is capable of amending his thinking and become one of the great presidents of our time. In the 8 months Mr Johnson has served just like a fraternity pledgee. Nothing he does will be right until he presses himself to play attention and give utmost respect to the ones who he is given the responsibility to lead. I expect our president to carry the water like the past presidents did. Nothing has changed for the president’s position in over 130 years. Mr Johnson adapt yourself to the new universe that surrounds you on all sides as your serve as our president. Your rise from the ashes will inspire. We expect nothing less from you.
Well stated. I had a conversation with a member of the Board of Trustees on yesterday on this topic. The Board member shared with me that Johnson has the skill set needed by the university. This Board member went on to say that the only obstacle would be whether Johnson could learn to get along with the many components of the university community. Hopefully, he can.
I hate to comment again, because I have been told that I am negative, that being said the Presidency of Tuskegee University should not be a position for a presidential trainee. We should be able to attract top level seasoned people. It is the deciders that need to be evaluated. This President had not lead or been in charge of anything before he was handed the reigns of Tuskegee University. Shame on the Board when they had the opportunity to bring in people with a track record of success!!! One would think the the Board wants someone that they can manage to the point of violation of SACS requirements of their involvement in the day to day operations, but I could be wrong. By the way I have been told that his writing does not represent a PhD in English. I guess thats negative enough.
Calvin, your comments are always welcome on my site. I find your comments to be positive in that you are seeking to protect the rich tradition that Tuskegee has enjoyed since 1881. Keep pushing us all to become better alumnus.
The past and current challenges facing Mother Tuskegee should and must be addressed by the governing body of
Tuskegee University (The Tuskegee University Board Of Trustees) ,
its students, faculty, staff are sounding an alarm.It is now time out for not addressing its current state of affairs.If not now when ?
We can only hope that the men and women on the Board of Trustees will do their fiduciary duty and take care of the affairs of the university.
Should we (alumni) not also be asking for the resignation of the Chairman of the Board>? Let us not put a band aid on the problem, allow it to fester and then say all is well!
This problem is much deeper than an immature, social skills lacking, inadequate, poor performing and inept president. Who lead the search community to this individual? The chairman of the board!
This young man’s entire life philosophy (Dubois) contradicts and if polar opposite of the University’s founder, Dr. B.T. Washington.
Let us not get caught up on the number of presidents the University has, but more passionate in our search for the best Chairman of the Board of Trustees, better Trustees and the appropriate leader as President of Tuskegee University.
Merci’
Alumnae Kit
Good idea, Kit. More to come on the Chair tomorrow.
Truly a sad situation for such a fine and respected institution.
Yes it is. I hope the Board comes up out of their stupor soon.
Dear Mr. Harvey,
I know you were told that Mr. Johnson apoligozed to me, but her did not.
I will send you the complete copy of the correspondence back and forth between him and I.
I agree that the president need to go including the chair of the board. As a chair of an organization to allow the behavior of a NEW president to show his REAL SELF from the beginning and give him s slap is unexceptable!!!!
I met with the president in December and what a meeting it was. He was so rude and just kept stating that he didn’t know
I had no legal fight against the school.
I was so upset I just commence to laughing like a crazy women that he couldn’t apologize without an excuse.
He kept saying he didn’t know about BJ! I tell strangers I am sorry for a death so what I am saying he never apologize.
I would be happy to share with you all the back and forth correspondence between the president and I .
I spoke with a board member and said to him that they had a Bull in a China Shop as president and he would do something else that would make the university look bad.
The president even told me that the school couldn’t afford an ambulance for our children. My friend asked the president what do the school do when someone needs an ambulance. The attorney took over and said we put the kids in a shuttle and take them to the hospital. My friend then asked if the shuttle had equipment to stabilize someone if needed, The answer was No!
We were levit of course by both answers. However when the Tuskegee’s.
attorney said that We, meaning Tuskegee University wasn’t responsible for my son’s death, I wanted to go across that table and give her a “1959 Ass Kicking”. Who says that after all that have taken place.
With that said, Tuskegee had some real problem. Right now it’s getting worst because of Dr. Johnson and we know that bad management make for a bad environment.
In the meeting with the president there were also several comments about Dr. Rochon, past president. I replied by saying you can’t tell me anything negative about Dr. Rochon.
Dr. Rochon made my husband and I feel that BJ’s life mattered and Tuskegee cared and so did the interim presidents.
Mr. Chair, you need to first grow some balls and release that Dictator from his contract while the walls are still leaning. Remember Jericho
Mrs. Smith, I saw your comment shortly after you wrote it. I was floored and unable to comment until now. As an alumni of Tuskegee, I apologize to you and your family for the treatment you received from Dr. Johnson. Please forgive him because he does not know any better. Also, last year when the issue of his insulting comments to you came up, many members of the Tuskegee family said some cruel things about you and your motivations for asking him for a meeting. Again, I apologize to you and your family, because they too are guided by blind loyalty and do not know any better. It is appalling to learn that your son died of his wounds because there is no hospital in Tuskegee and there is not any emergency equipment in the shuttle the university uses to transport patients to Auburn or Opelika for medical treatment. It appears to me that BJ would not have bleed out if there had been a medical facility in Tuskegee or if the university had some medical equipment onboard the shuttle it uses to take emergency patients to the hospital in Auburn or Opelika. My wife and I are simply shaken by your words this morning. I could not in good conscience recommend any parent send their children to Tuskegee University until they have ample heath care facilities to provide the medical attention the student community needs. Our hearts goes out to you. God bless.
FYI. It is my understanding that Tuskegee residents have an ambulance service that can be use for transporting patients to area emergency rooms. I personally have used this service on two occasions to transport me to the ER in Montgomery . They usually transport to the nearest medical facility in an emergency (from Tuskegee, Tallassee is the nearest hospital), but if the emergency is not life-threatening, one can request to be transported to hospitals in Opelika or Montgomery. The ambulance will also come to check your vital signs at no cost, if requested. I have also used this service to have my blood pressure and blood sugar checked when I was not feeling well. While the situation leaves much to be desired, but the city is not completely without resources in a medical emergency.
Thank you for this clarification.
Mrs. Smith, I would also like to offer my sincere apologies – both for the loss of your son and for the rude and uncalled for behavior of our current president. One would think that as a father of two sons himself, he would know better.
I was in the chapel for your son’s memorial service and I can assure you that his death affected me and just about everyone else I know in this town very deeply. Although Dr. Rochon’s announcement about the scholarship in BJ’s name won’t bring him back, it was a nice gesture. Unfortunately, it appears that ‘nice’ is somewhat foreign to the person we’re dealing with now. And for some reason, our new president seems to be anti-scholarship in general. I guess he’s planning to waive some kind of magic wand to increase our enrollment with 4.0 students who will come with their own money.
I agree with you (and others) that both he and the general need to go. The general needs to be first though – otherwise who knows who he might try to bring in here next.
Also, thank you for correcting our impression that he had finally done the right thing by you and your family. Unbelievable!
Thanks for all the descent replies by all.
However to Ms. Wallace we need to stay informed. My son was 2 minutes from the campus at a party. He was shot in the back of the heart, so an ambulance probably wouldn’t have saved him anyways.
God needed BJ! Out of 200 kids running from a sound of a gun his life was taken.
Can’t give you all the shock factor because we have to get to court first.
However with that said, Mr Garvey you’re correct. The Ambulance’s home is Aurbun /Opelika that’s to far away for our children.
I can tell you in the last 5 years 3
kids have died due to 911 not picking-up or the ambulance was busy with the Arburn kids
Mrs. Smith, there is definitely a need for a medical care facility in Tuskegee. I hope the university and the local government authorities can get a handle on this problem and fix it before the next tragic event.
Did you get any response from alumni? I tried to generate a conversation. It has not happened yet!
Isaiah Miller Sr.
TI ’62
Mr. Miller, several members of the alumni association have been in communication with me on the events transpiring on campus. This is a good forum for an alumni discussion. This blog has been read by a great number of people. The number of visitors exceeds the previous day’s numbers. What are your views? You are welcome to expressed them here.
It seems as if the administration’s culture of the university has changed, when a hip-hop artist gets more respect than parents and the media! Just saying!
Yall blame President Johnson for the ignorance of my peers. Parents should have taught their children how to act before even coming to college. Its not the presidents fault that our generation is plagued by violence. This tragic incident could of happened at any place where that many students were in one place. It could have been a gospel concert, yall parents dont understand how much of this is YOUR own fault. President Johnson didn’t raise YOUR children to be ignorant students, YOU failed to educate us about the negativity of the society we live in so GUESS WHAT? YOU CAN FIRE PRESIDENT JOHNSON BUT I PROMISE THAT WON’T CHANGE THE FACT THAT STUDENTS GET SHOT, FIGHT AND ACT BELLIGERENT.
We’ll yall have the story wrong . The two boys that got jump during the concert is the reason why all this happened . They got stumped out for been disrespectful and Gang banging while the performance . The two guys don’t even attend the school , they are from Atlanta and were down at tuskegee with his GF kaylen and her friend. One of the two girls was holding the gun for the suspects during the concert . After the brawl only one of the suspects got arrested the other one got away and he was the one that shot towards a crowd outside the parking lot and fled the scene. Funny part is that they still around, cough cough you could find them in AU!
Y’all so right although I don’t agree with having president Johnson in office the students need to take they responsibility upon themselves.. Shamaye Dixon and kaelyn Collins always getting into some shyt this is not the first run in they have had either Smh. Same goes with the rest of these ATL bay bay kids. They need to get it together
The behavior of TU Students dose not have anything to do with the president. These students are so disrespectful towards each other and staff and if they don’t get their way then they want to go to the news.
Breaking News…The whole TU college in its entirety is blindeded by the fact that they allow the students to run the school, just go over there any given day and pay attention to how they are up and down the campus cursing and being disrespectful to visitors and the cafeteria they leave food, dishes and trash all over the tables, the floor and window sills and no one makes them get them. The students run T U and that’s a shame that a college of such prestige has gone to HELL.
bitch shut the fuck up. You obviously don’t know shit.
Young man, I usually do not allow people who use vile language and resort to name calling to comment on my blog. However, I am making an exception for your vile comment because it proves that what the lady wrote about Tuskegee students engage in cursing an disrespect for others is actually true. Your reprehensive language proves that she indeed knows what she is talking about. It is shameful that your Tuskegee experience can not teach you a better way to communicate. In the future you are welcome to comment on my blog, but you will not be allowed to use uncivil language or to call anyone out of their name. If you insist upon doing so, I will turn your abusive language over to the FBI for cyber bullying prosecution.
Young Tuskegee student, I am an alum of Tuskegee and my parents did not need to teach me how to at the university. Students need to be responsible themselves. SMDH!
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.
Your thoughts are reminiscent of my own, just a different city, schools and teachers. I am a 35 year educator, just retired as an administrator and I often wonder how to globally instill the kind of culture and guiding standards enjoyed while growing up. Your last two paragraphs speak volumes.
I like you often wonder if it is possible to capture the guiding standards of our youth for another generation. I think it can be done, one child at a time, by one mature mentor at a time. There is much work to do in our golden years.
I feel the same way as well! I am now a retired nurse of 43yrs! I was ushered into an integrated school in the 60s it was a great move for myself and a few of my friends that were transferred from a college prepatorial high school! I am thankful for all my teachers especially one of my 8th grade teacher Ms. Rose who said I wouldn’t amount to anything & for the love of me I never knew why she said that to me as I was an A B student except her class! Go figure! I thank my mom for motivating me to make the transfer! #great teachers #caring teachers #great parents
Thanks for your comments. One thing I learned from that experience was to never discourage young people, to alway lift them up because you never know the level of Divine potential inside of them.
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.
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.
Wow.
What in the hello is wrong with the board chair, and the board at such a prestigious university.
Right now Tuskegee is synonyms with Thugg
and the president is the leader.
If someone don’t grow some Balls you will be on the 6:00 news again . People have stop sending money due to this crazy man. I was told that Tuskegee was satisfied with Johnson because he was raising money.
Here’s my point, in case you don’t get it. Charlie Sheen, actor of Two and a Half Men had one of the most top rated shows on CBS.
They finally fired Charlie due to his behavior. Was Charlie bringing in the Duckies for CBS?
Yes! However, he cause them 250 million dollars, which was nothing close to what CBS made off the show.
Another point, sometimes you can be the best at what you do. However your behavior dictates your credibility and integrity.
Ok, now we have Tuskegee! Are you Charlie Sheen or CBS? You have allowed this institution to be embarrassment to our My Son, who is an Alumni, past Alumni’s and future Alumni……..
Even though Johnson wasn’t responsible for my son BJ’s death. It was his behavior
towards the death as it relates to something common, sensitivity to a grieving parent and at that time he was only there a couple of months
Are you a student Ms. Murphy ?
Yes I am (class of 88). I love Tuskegee University. I love the fact that TU is moving forward into the 21st century. You are in my prayers for the loss of your son.
Just read your article, and enjoyed it very much. I must admit that West and Tavis Smiley left such a bad taste in my mouth with their pronouncements against Obama that I have listened to very little that they have had to say since his first term in office. And while I do agree with much of what West has to say about poverty, isolation, and racism/classism in our society, I too do not agree with the “let’s tear everything down and start all over again” line of thinking he seems to take.
this is exactly why I opted out of attending graduation next month. My Tuskegee experience has not been similar to that of my peers because I wasn’t raised to engage in vile and lewd behavior. Few of my peers have pride in the way they carry themselves, and while the administration is definitely corrupt, the students also lack decency and humility. They remain fraudulent behind they’re Tuskegee gentleman and woman attire. They are, in fact, very common.
I understand.
Those are very serious occurrences . Certainly not befitting for a President of my distinguished Alma mater.
Tuskegee AD Curtis Campbell should be released, fired or dismissed. He’s a joke!
As a Tuskegee grad, I have not participated in the filing of this petition. Can you name the originators of the petition? I know many Tuskegee grads who did NOt participate in this as well as those who will NOT decrease giving to our beloved Alma mater because she will withstand the test of time.
Saint Paul’s College, an HBCU in Lawrenceville, VA just closed it’s doors in June 2014. They lost accreditation
and ran out of money as well.,
I guarantee you that Johnson will do something else stupid or to best serve him during this graduation.
The First Lady will be at TU and Johnson will do something to show the continued leadership of his
buffoonery. The present TU administration continues to run Mother TU in the ground.
A distinguished historical university (Tuskegee) left to chance and become at-risk. Trust the Tradition/Trust the Trajectory are buzz words and a slogan from the new administration. Moreover, what is the meaning of this slogan. Do these words add to substantiate the existence of Tuskegee now and in the future, as well as, in the overall of mise of universal change. Can “buzz words” or “slogans” alone ensure that Tuskegee University’s mission will grow and thrive for future generations to come. Often, such requires stepping outside of ones comfort zone and embracing change, This petition is about institutional change at the very top (president and board chair).
must be Tuskegee Alumni must learn from the Knoxville College, Morris Browns, St. Paul, as other almuni
And do plan to hop over and visit this spotlight author at Book Readers Heaven all this week!
http://gabixlerreviews-bookreadersheaven.blogspot.com/2015/06/check-out-first-excerpts-from-justice.html
We have seen through the era of the Civil Rights Movement in this country, that numerous white clergy joined the fight for equality in America. They helped the cause during that era, and I see no reason why this lady can’t help the cause now. If I remember correctly the NAACP is open to ALL regardless to skin color or national origin. If she felt like she had to change her appearance to be better accepted, and to do a good job, so be it. We as a people have that tendency to keep our Blackness(twoness) to us and only us. But criticized our brothers for acting, “white” as we did during the 70’s and 80’s. We bullied the smart black child in class for trying to be white rather than embracing them for their intellect. So now some want to grab her down in the bucket, or better still kick her out of the bucket.
Mr. Pearson, you make a valid and important point. Thanks for sharing your views.
Well said, Billy!
Sure is.
As I glanced briefly at this subject posting of versatile comments I too took a double take at the picture of the subject as I read. Yes I see a trace of myself having lived in Europe raised internationally with a father and Blackfoot mother – Seminole Native on her father’s side. I was raised in Harlem NYC. In my 5th. Grade class I was told by two white girls that they want to see me after school. They never said anything to me till that day although we were in the same classroom. I got faint because they looked so angry. I asked them why. The said: “We want you we wanna fight you we are going to get you after school.” I was Stunned and troubled. I just knew they were joking. Well they waited for me and the teacher heard them. She saw us outside the window but did nothing. she was a white female teacher. However I asked them what happened, why do you want to fight me. They say “we don’t like you. You think your are cute.” I was so floored. My heart sunk. Then one girl threw the other girl into me. I had told her what did I do…or are you going to say. Why…they kept hitting; so anger raged came over me like lightening and I balled my fist and did not stop going into her back non-stop till they began screaming stop stop crying wailing, saying I am crazy. I screamed for teacher to look out window and finally they got help. I told my mom what happened she said if they hit me then I did good and she is glad I let the teacher know. This school was in upper peninsula Mi.twelve miles from Toronto. But I looked like braids down to my waist and I looked mixed so just jealousy is what attribute to these. The Messiah says jealousy is cruel as the grave.
Ms. Simone, thank you for sharing your story. It is kind of hard for people who are not mixed to understand what life is like for those who are. I appreciate you sharing your experiences with my readers. Hopefully, some will have a better understanding of the emotional trauma people with multiply heritage have to navigate as a matter of daily survival.
Great story, Monet!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you.
Dear Michael, great story as usual. However, you might consider that because the first people were from Africa, and genes do funny things, the woman could possibly have some overactive melanin. SMiLE!
Karen, you make a valid point that is often missed by readers who get caught up in the media spin of the day. SMILE.
My only comment is to say that this is truly a thought-provoking article. As you say, it is all too easy to get caught up in the media hype. But this woman’s actions and intentions do cause a thinking person to wonder. (Why would she give up the comforts and privileges afforded to those with white skin and make herself a target of hatred and bigotry?) I am so glad that Karen Dabney brought up the point that is all too often ignored by mainstream America: ALL life began in Africa! Accepting this truth also means we also must accept that we are all brothers/sisters “under the skin”.
I’m working on the question you just posed and should be in position to publish it by breakfast time tomorrow morning. Thanks for posing this very important question, which is being missed by the whirlwind of media bashing.
I see nothing wrong with it…Regardless of how you look at it her life was difficult. So I for one see a none story in this story.
Ron Walker, thank you for your perspective on this issue. I tend to think as you do that this is much to do about very little.
If she married Black, I wonder how many times has her parents, and siblings dis-owned her? As we all know once a white person engages themselves with the negro, their white counter-parts dis-owns them. Having negroes as friends, or standing up for them brought about them term, N-lover? You have co-workers that will speak to you at work, BUT when you see them at Wal-Mart, or the grocery store, they look right through you as if you were not there? Plenty of whites voted President Obama into office, BUT a lot of those (whites), will not tell another white they voted for Obama. This country’s laws as stated were created around one class of people. BUT as the forefathers were so naïve to see that when they drafted the Constitution, they only knew of one people. Those words were , “All men are created equal,” with little foresight that this phase included, Blacks, Indians, Latinos, Mexican, etc. And as we saw Dr. King use these words over and over again as the laws of this country. Civil Rights, agitated the MORALS, of this nation, to change the laws. Dr. King questioned the moral standings of white Christian americans of this country. We lost everything coming to America. We had to ADAPT more so than Dinosaurs had to adapt in order to survive here. We turned so many cheeks, we have ran out of cheeks in places like Baltimore, Staten island, Oakland, Brandon, Ms., J’ville, Fl., Detroit, and Ferguson. Until we learn to stop enslaving our selves in the Justice in the Round doors of American prisons, then and only then shall we be free. Sorry Bro Harvey…I went from A-N on this topic..lol
Oh, I completely understand your passion on this subject and your well thought out comment. Just one point, Ms. Dolezal’s biological parents adopted four black boys during the time she was growing up in their household. Also, I have seen a wedding photograph of the entire family and they all appear to be comfortable with each other. Thanks for sharing your opinions on this hot topic.
The story depicting the many challeges facing HBCU ‘s across our nation.This piece on Dr. Wheeler depicts the plight of the many challenges facing higher education .My initial thoughts are perhaps the only way to save our Alma mater ,Tuskegee University is to seek a competent president who is the likes of Dr. Wheeler,experienced enough and can get the derailed train back on track.
Mr. Lee as you know, I am a proud graduate of Tuskegee University and I completely understand your position. As I watch what has happened at Tuskegee in the last three years, I can not help but think: How did we come to this?
Hopefully, the Board of Trustees is as good as the Tuskegee Board’s have traditionally been and they will take corrective steps to save Tuskegee from further disgrace.
If Dolezal wants claims to being a black person that is her right…She has not hurt anyone or anything doing that. She has he own personal reason(s) probably to do it and the right to disown her white family. If she now “walks the walk and talks the talk” of a black person she should be left alone. Dolezal is in Leadership in a major local chapter of the NAACP. Anyone has the right to redefine themselves and become someone else so that is what she did. It is not as if she is wanted by the law. She became a black person and it seems as if she is doing some good for the community.
I have relatives in the 1940’s and 50’s that passed for white. They did that because they felt that was the best way to support their family. I am quite sure there were many black people that did that then and even now. What Dolezal did is is nothing new, and “a mountain has been made out of a mold hill”.
This was hot social “Trending” news and is probably on the tail end of the news cycle. Dolezal, all I can say to you is that you have the right to be whatever you want to be. There are those white folk that want to be black when it is convenient for them or for a short period of time by Sun tanning, Tanning Spa’s, Tanning cream. At least Dolezal claims to be Black she has made it permanent. (“I ain’t mad at cha”.) Folks will forget about this by July and you can go back to being what you want to be. People forget easily in this country.
I welcome you into our “Black Family” Sister Dolezal you are O.K. with me and if you say you are black then there it is. I will treat you the respect that any respectful black woman deserves.
Right on!
I simply believe she didn’t need to lie, or avoid the question. During the civil right movement one of the issues was that qualifications not race would determine job placement. Has Rachel carried out the duties of her job? Black people have accepted white people forever. Most whites(not all) have not, do not, and will not accept Black people. Since Rachel wants this on her shoulders, I hope she has the fortitude to carry the burden that Black women carry. But, Rachel, you can opt out anytime. My Black sisters can’t. Let’s move on. It’s okay to be who you want to be. It more important to be who you are.
Cheryl, thank you for your views on this topic.
To: Tuskegee University Board of Trustees
Your deliberations this weekend are critical and impact the Legacy of Mother Tuskegee. We need Leadership and it begins with the Board of Trustees.
Trina Kinney Moss class of 1979
Nashville, TN
Johnson is at the beginning of running Tuskegee University into the ground….Johnson is like a bad taste in your mouth. I hope the Board of Trustees wake up and see what this guy is doing…Damaging the TU Brand!
To: Tuskegee University Board of Trustees, Alumni Association President, Almuni,and et.al.
Dr. Brian Johnson, Tuskegee University President or any future Tuskegee University President, he/she must be
perceived as instrumental in effecting movement in his/her organization.
Then there is Leadership: leader, leader behavior, leadership function, leadership style and leader group
relations which are all concepts requiring attention from the new school executive. To be considered a leader is,
implicitly, to be accorded a compliment.
Consequently, the message from students, faculty, alumni and others is clear: “demonstrate leadership” Trustees
and President. Some understandable questions follow, however for the Trustees to attempt to wrangle over.
1. What is leadership?
2. Leadership for what, or towards what ends?
3. How is it demonstrated?
4. What is appropriate behavior for the leader? and
5. What is effective leadership?
This is most unfortunate for a great institution of Tuskegee’s caliber. Even worst is what appears to be a lack of leadership in our new president. Arrogance appear be at the center of the problem. I have never met the man. Nevertheless all of the evidence points to inexperience.
College/University Presidents are the instructional leaders of their educational institutions. Such leaders are supremely accomplished and skilled by having held line and staff administrative positions. Thus, they would have had experiences in the preparation of the SACS Fifth Year Interim Report/Quality Enhancement Plan.
QUALITY ENHANCEMENT PLAN. The Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), submitted four to six weeks in advance of the on-site review by the Commission, is a document developed by the institution that (1) includes a process identifying key issues emerging from institutional assessment, (2) focuses on learning outcomes and/or the environment supporting student learning and accomplishing the mission of the institution, (3) demonstrates institutional capability for the initiation, implementation, and completion of the QEP, (4) includes 8 broad-based involvement of institutional constituencies in the development and proposed implementation of the QEP, and (5) identifies goals and a plan to assess their achievement. The QEP should be focused and succinct (no more than seventy-five pages of narrative text and no more than twenty-five pages of supporting documentation or charts, graphs, and tables).
Mister Harvey, this is marvelously well put. I have thought since we somehow managed to ban it in any context, that if we couldn’t use the word “nigger” in discussion of racism and how words can dominate us, the word itself controlled our conversation. This foolishness gives cover to the racist lackwits who would ask me why black people can call each other “nigger,” but they can’t. I suddenly found it hard to explain what I thought should be obvious. It gives cover to the fools who would insist that “reverse racism” exists as an evil equal to white racism in this country. My logic abandons me in these gotcha moments and I just want to be a drill sergeant again and scream at them that they are fools and idiots from an inch away. I am mindful of a teacher who lost, or nearly lost, his position because he was apparently the only person in his entire school, students, faculty and administration, who knew what “niggardly” meant, and used it correctly in a comment on a student’s paper. I think the paroxysm of Faux outrage President Obama’s studied use of “nigger” provoked is absolute proof that we’ve lost balance entirely on how we view and use discourse to deal with difference in America.
Well said, Mr. Larlham. To which I can add little.
In context, so what?
In context, a cultural shift away from the hate that produces hate. Time is the great revealer in removing this symbol of white supremacy.
Hello Harold, hope that your book signing went well. Sorry that I was not able to attend. As you know, my father was being celebrated at the same time in Macon and my time was completely booked. I always think about the ‘Mayor’ of Unionville, Frank Johnson and hope you had a chance to get by. Anyway we’ll catch up soon and hopefully see each other in the near future. Eugene Mosley
Hello Eugene,
The book signing went well. Sylvester Royal and Carlton Haywood came. Also, Mrs. Betty Lewis who taught history came to share in the occasion. Keep in touch. I did not get to see Mr. Johnson on this visit, but I did speak with his wife and she said he is doing nicely.
Why has the dismissal of Johnson not been brought to a vote, by the consultant (Luther Williams) to Dr. Jenkins, brother Who is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, General Williams!
Wagons on circling with heavy pockets and light hearts!
We need a Phoenix to emerge from the ashes!
Heads should roll! Blame should be assigned and responsibility should be taken!
MT should not have to suffer !
Good question.
Great story, just sad that in 2015 people are scared to speak out. Sad that so-called men run inside to avoid being men. I know that a lot of us in those inner cities have records and unpaid fines owed, BUT NOBODY should be scared to express their Constitutional right of Freedom of speech. Wonder if all those confederate flags that were removed across the country, be placed on every street corner in those hoods..WHAT WOULD THEY SAY THEN. Being scared also tells me they don’t vote either….The biggest problem as a person like Dubose that was arrested over 90 times for the same violations, was he had enablers to get him out of jail?? You should always want to set a better example for your kids…Don’t spend $12k on fines!! Spend that money on your kids, and those that “babied” him by bailing him out of jail should have stopped doing it. No money on the books, no paying of fines when you know you are wrong. He knew the laws, he knew the risk, but he knew his family would come get him out of jail. We as AMERICANS have laws to obey regardless of race.
[…] plate on the front of their automobiles. The national headlines even prompted me to write a column (https://haroldmichaelharvey.com/2015/07/30/a-powder-keg-in-cincinnati/) speculating that Cincinnati was a powder keg waiting to explode once the public saw this […]
The complete passage that this quotes is taken from reads as followed: The tipping point, the media reports said, could be the release of the video showing the shooting death of Samuel Dubose, a black motorist stopped by a white University of Cincinnati police officer for violations of a state law that requires motorists to display a license plate on the front of their automobiles. The national headlines even prompted me to write a column (https://haroldmichaelharvey.com/2015/07/30/a-powder-keg-in-cincinnati/) speculating that Cincinnati was a powder keg waiting to explode once the public saw this video.
Please add me to your google+ and email me.
I was refered by monetsimone aka monique barefield
Ron, I sure will. We were actually introduced to each other by Stacey Hopkins and did some work together during the Bank foreclosure fiasco.
Thank you, I admire you thought and leadership.
Thank you. You have been unaware, but you have been a source of inspiration to me since the mid 1970s.
The Pope was in The Den of Thieves, as Daniel was. Do you think if he washed Boehner’s feet he would have cried and fainted?
To entertain such speculation is to denigrate the Pope’s visit and his message.
Really? What a disgrace and exactly why I don’t attend church. Trump has publicly denied that Obama is even an American. He has tried to make a mockery out of the Obama presidency. There’s no way, as a black person, I would support Trump. Never!
I hope they come up with an explanation as how Trump is “misunderstood”.
I’m very interested in this because the “additive” Thimerosal (sp) was found to contain what was considered to be too much mercury considering the fact that children and infants generally receive more than one immunization at a time. Manufacturers began producing Thimerosal -free vaccines more than 10 years ago, if I remember correctly. Not sure if MMR was one of them though. And I have not heard of the disproportionate ill effects on Black children. I will need to see if I can find the report that is mentioned in your article.
I’m not sure why Robert Kennedy thinks there is a link to problems experienced by black children who are given this vaccine, but I plan to attend the news conference on October 24 and put my questions on the subject to him. Thanks for catching the typo.
Excellent report.
Thank you.
Pray for Mother Tuskegee!
Onward Mother Tuskegee! To those who have fought the good fight either on the front lines or behind closed doors, your dilegence has paid off.
Now lets get the city government cleaned up!!!
I AM EXCITED ABOUT YOUR PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS IN PUBLICATIONS I AM GLAD THAT GOD ALLOWED US TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER. 68 TU GRAD.
THE MARCH ON THE CDC IS AN ATTTEMPT TO SHARE DISPARITIES IN HEALTHCARE, 2015.AS A SOCIAL WORKER FOR MANY YEARS, I HAVE OBSERVED AND CHALLENGED THESE DISPARIETIES.I SALUTE MR. KENNEDY FOR HIS ADVOCACY AND LEADERSHIP IN A KNOWN HISTORICAL RACISM TACTIC THAT IS PLOT TO DESTROY THE AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILY.
Thank you.
we need to see more black and brown families who have been affected by the vaccines, this is going to be difficult due to the fact that in my opinion a large number are living at or below the poverty levels. Must send children to public schools, unaware about the waiver. I believe that we should attempt to locate this community, off the top of my head i know two parents with autistic male children both are teenagers. just a thought
I agree with you.
Dear Harold,
Thank you for writing abut this incredible opportunity. It was my honor to speak before those in attendance at the Interfaith Prayer Services we had at Muhammad Mosque #15 in Atlanta yesterday. From the moment I arrived in the parking lot until the moment I left for the airport, I was treated with the utmost respect and dignity. Your congregation welcomed me with open arms even before they knew who I was or what I was doing there. I didn’t know Minister Tony was going to invite me to share my story from the pulpit, but I was moved by the attention and the love that I felt the whole time.
Thank you for chronicling the events in your write-up and for truth-in-media (I’m not used to that quite frankly…misrepresentation is something I encounter regularly). In all fairness, I don’t believe that the CDC set-out initially to destroy the black civilization in particular, but the fact that they KNEW IN 2004 and ever since, that black baby boys are at a particular disadvantage (based-on Thompson’s allegations/admissions), and chose not to implement a new/improved protocol for them is clear obfuscation and could easily be interpreted as an attempt or an intent to harm. The increased rate at which black baby boys are adversely affected by their vaccines is certainly something we should all be concerned about. These innocent lives deserve love and protection and I intend to continue to share the truth about this issue as a commitment to spare more lives from harm.
You’ve got a friend in me. Thank you again for writing this great article!
Yours in gratitude, truth and unity,
Michelle
http://www.V-IAL.org
http://www.cdcTRUTH.org
@VIALnews
#cdcTRUTH
#CDCwhistleblower
#HearUs
#UniversalFight
Dear Michelle,
I too was struck by the cordiality that greeted me at Muhammad’s Mosque Number 15. Like you it was my first visit there in spite of the fact I live nearby. I’m a Methodist by birth.
You gave a riveting speech. I hope I did justice to your story.
Minister Farrakhan is right: “You are a warrior.”
Thank you for this post, it’s nice to see truth & facts represented. I was sadly disappointed that the media has not reported this truthfully. I had also have only heard negativity associated with Minister Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam. I’m actually a little mad at myself for being naive and believing what I now believe are lies about both of them. I’m so grateful that he stepped up when other leader have let us down.
Thank you for reading my report. I am a bit surprised that the Atlanta media did not cover this event. Subscribe to my blog as I will file additional reports as events unfold.
I was shocked today when I went to get a link to put on here for you that the video has been removed and we no longer have access to it. Many may have missed this but a while back there was an interesting story called “Mayo clinic Discovers African-Americans Respond Better to Rubella Vaccine”. While the title and written article put a positive spin on the entire idea that African -Americans’ response to vaccines is twice as strong as they are in Caucasians, the video interview put a slightly different spin on it. The scientist was in fact somewhat concerned about this and thought that with this knowledge perhaps vaccines should be manufactured differently for African Americans such as 1/2 strength or 1/2 the amount of vaccine. Interesting that the Somali community was included in the study and showed an even stronger response than African Americans who had generational history in the U.S. For those who may not know, I believe the Autism rate in the Somali communities is around 1 in 20 children. Even higher for boys. Perhaps that is why the video is no longer available. The scientist reporting seems completely unaware of the possible correlation but others realized the implications of making this information public and now the video is simply unavailable on youtube or the many other links that used to exist, including the Mayo Clinic sight itself.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC4eyi8h1UA http://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-discovers-african-americans-respond-better-to-rubella-vaccine Every single link now says “This video no longer available.”
Thanks for sharing this vital information.
Sadly Kendra, evil forces are at work to eliminate our right to the freedom of information. This is no surprise. I regularly “screenshot” information because I understand it disappears. Such a sad state of affairs when the people are left in the dark. The name of the scientist who shared your statement is Dr Greg Poland. He appears to be a warrior of truth but powers that be are keeping us from knowing his truth.
We are engaged in a war for truth and justice. The opposition does not and will not fight fair. Stay on the case ladies.
Kendra,
The mayo clinic link is working fine and the article is still there. The YouTube video, however, has been removed. Let’s hurry and print it before it’s gone!
I concur… Ditto!
I have said over and over that Johnson is going to run TU straight into the ground.
Under the present leadership, Tuskegee is an accident that is going to happen.
Johnson is a clown and TU is the circus and tent where he is performing. TU has a
clown as a President, that is Funny!
It is strange that politician only come to black churches to get political support. Never see them there to break bread or worship.
Whomever attended this mockery meeting with Donald Trump it is a shame and insult before God. This man have degraded women. He has shown outright racism towards our president and still does. He had his goons to beat a black man because of his tee shirt that states Black Lives Matter” He mocked man with a disability and lied saying, he didn’t know him. This is not the calibur.of man I would want ruling the highest office in the land. Trump is an arrogant, narcissistic, pretentious highminded, liar and criminal not worthy of any office except the one has now at trump towers He’s made others lose money with his craftiness as a con artist. His last 2 or 3 wives finally came to their senses and got out while the gettn was good for them. Oh yeah then he fraudulently set up this fake school and got called on the carpet for ripping off the students struggling thinking they were going to be Donald Trump mini trumps. SADD BULLY,
Where are their backbones?
THANKS FOR SHARING AND SPEAKING OUT ON TODAY’S ISSUES.68 GRAD TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY.
So beautiful and loving!!!! Thanks so much
Thanks for your kind words.
A good post. This is an excellent way to keep up with the happenings in Atlanta.
Thank you. We attempt to stay on top of things happening in our neck of the woods.
Poignant, thoughtful, engaging, and heartfelt! Thanks for sharing your intimate moments and for the indelible memories.
Correct email is: hollywoood001979@gmail.com
Thank you for your kind words. Let’s get together in ’16.
Definitely!
Beautiful thoughts and indelible memories! Good bless you and yours always!
Wayne
Great story, Mr. H., refreshing to read this with so much other negative energy on my timeline. I could picture you squirmming in the conference room while waiting for your moment to audition. I could also see your relief once the spotlight shifted to the young lady from Marietta. Sorry for no call-back. (One day I will tell you about the time I auditioned for my hometown version of the Wiz!) I appreciate you sharing a little more of the journal that calls your steps. “We Love The Harvey’s”, now that would make for ex ordinary t.v., I’d watch. Xoxo
Teri-Michelle, thanks for your kind words. Maybe one day soon we will get a film project of the ground.
This is the man I want to remember…no matter what some choose to do along the way, there is something that sometimes comes through to show his real self. I really don’t think it was the sex scandals that are now so prevalent. The movie and television culture breeds this type of behavior, sadly. I’m happy to share your memory of brightness…
My grandfather the late Charles Harvey taught me to get to know a person for yourself and not take anyones elses word for who a person is. This is the Cosby that I meet, the Cosby that I know.
I was happy to have you share this with us…No matter what, he was a man that made many of us happy with this gift of comedy…Thanks for telling a bright spot in your life…
Glenda
Ms. Bixler, it was pleasure to tell this story. It is one of those things that you do in the course of a lifetime and do not place any significance in it until much later in life. It is hard to believe that this event occurred 25 years ago and that I was at that time a fire breathing lawyer.Thank you for reading this story.
Micheal, smile and somewhat surprised because really can’t judge a book by the cover:)
With that said. As a women what I take from this story, your short story intrigued Bill.
However the FEMALE intrigued him even more. Ok, men are men as it relates to women.
Pasta, Pasta, and Pasta!!!!
There is a lot packed into this brief story and encounter with Dr. Cosby. I found the pasta story kind of intriguing too. Out of the other seven people in the room, some who were female, the only story I recall is the one about the pasta. My recollection of the woman at that time was that she was not particularly charming or beautiful. I have no idea who she was and hope she is not one of my social media friends and is reading my blog post description of her from 25 years or so ago. Also, I think the pasta story gave the creative mind of Dr. Cosby an opportunity to be funny. In those auditions, you never know what the producers are looking for and they seldom know until they see it. I have always had a keen sense of observation and my sense impressions on that audition did not tell me that the man/woman dynamics was involved in the interplay between Cosby and this woman. Additionally, I recall several years before this event, when I was home studying for the Bar Examine, seeing Dr. Cosby on a local television mid-day News Program where he was interviewed by a young blond haired reporter. It was obvious to me that this reporter was flirting with Dr. Cosby and he went to great length to rebuff her advances and even very politely and grandfatherly chastised her for flirting with him. Now I have never told this story before this moment. Anyone can make of it what they like, but this is the sense impression I had watching that mid-day news program in 1984 or 85.
[…] Over the years, I have two vivid personal Cosby memories pre-scandal. One was an in-person encounter with the Dr. William “Bill” Cosby at an audition for a pilot show he had in the works. This audition took place in the Peachtree Center Towers in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. It occurred sometimes in the early 1990s; probably 1991 or ’92. I wrote a blog post about this meeting yesterday (ttp://haroldmichaelharvey.com/2016/01/05/my-audition-for-a-cosby-show/). […]
I believe we’re working ourselves into the same situation we had in 1966. I suspect the Republicans have the same thought I have: Nixon vs McGovern. No one trusted Richard Nixon… NO one. America despised the man with a common view that has been seldom seen. However, the words “Socialist” and “Socialism” terrified the vast majority of American voters, even those who agreed with his proposals for Viet Nam and the economy. McGovern won only ONE state… ONE! And it wasn’t even his home state. Nixon, the man everyone hated, called Tricky Dick, excoriated endlessly and had run out of politics eight years earlier won in the largest landslide ever recorded… and proceeded to eff it up in grand and glorious ways no one had ever thought of.
Should Bernie win the nomination, the Republicans are looking forward to (and not one of them will let this slip for fear we’ll figure out the danger and fix the problem) the same result in November if Bernie is nominated. They are, in fact, beginning to count on it.
The Democrats are split on why they’re avoiding Senator Sanders. For many, a great many I suspect, the other half of the same argument pertains as for the Republicans… to wit, “We can’t put a Communist in the Whitehouse.” However, for too many “ordinary” middle class voters the problem is covertly the same as it has been nearly overtly for Republicans these past eight years. “You guys put a (N-word) in the white house.” And with that as a base they believe that Obama is an America-hating, Christian-butchering Muslim or at best an atheist (which somehow is OK with them when I am the subject).**
Note: For even educated Democrats, Socialist equals Communist. For some astoundingly ignorant Republicans, Democrat equals Communist.
My sources? Barbecue conversations in my middle class, primarily labor neighborhood, low- and mid-level professionals where I worked and Union workers at that same place.
The McGovern/Nixon contest occurred in 1968, not 1966. Also, the electorate is much different today than in 1968. The major difference being the Cold War fight between West Democracy and the Soviet Communism. Communism as a system of governance has not threaten the world since the Berlin Wall came down in 1989. Hence, we have a new generation of voters who are not antagonistic when hearing the word Socialist. However, I believe you are correct about the Republicans sensing that the term Socialist Democrat will be a turn off to a majority of Americans in the General Election. I do not believe the Republicans are correct in this assumption.
Sorry about the fat-finger on the date.
I feart you may be incorrect on whether today’s voters will be antagonistic toward the words Socialist and Socialism. There are a substantial number of middle-aged and younger voters who are, at least up here north of Detroit. Nonetheless, I’m still hoping you’re right.
“feart” = fear
And I proofed that twice.
An easy typo to make. I just wanted to make sure that anyone reading your comment would know the correct date.
There are so many things that was important to our generation that is not important to people just 20 years our junior. As this campaign season unfolds, you will be able to observe what I see today.
Mr. Harvey…my contacts in Ferguson, MO (and Florissant, Dellwood, etc,) have the same doubts. I have no doubt. My best vote, in the Primary, is for Senator Sanders. My second choice, (if I have to make it) in the general election is for a straight Dem ticket. I hope, for the futures of my children and grandchildren, that we have the Bernie Option in 2016. He is my choice, based on his 30 year history in making a difference, in calling out lies and double-speak; For women’s rights, for folks ‘of color’ and for the hope that this nation can return to being true to it’s core values. Human rights for ALL, Wage equity, and, Women’s rights that do not depend of the whim of undereducated males in the senate and house.
Wow, those are some hard hitting reasons for supporting Senator Sanders, Ms. Wilka. He offers the nation a clear progressive pathway into the future. His job will be in communicating this to the voters.
Always like reading your comments. Donald is so funny. Don’t be fooled now, the Donald feels he is a Deity.
I truly feel that he’s a plant to make the Republicans look like fools.
Mission Accomplished ?
Cynthia A. Smith
I’m not fooled. But I don’t think the Donald is a plant. I think he is in it to win it.
Agree ! If the fight won’t come to you … you bring the fight to him . He will gain respect and show the people that he is not afraid of Trump . I also think he thought he would insult Meagan Kelly once again by having Fox chose who would be there … Meagan or Himself … he is probably still trying to get over the fact they didn’t eliminate her for him. Great article !
Thank you.
I like this idea. However you should have called him and told him that before they Started Sparring?
Wow, I was 4 but my father watched Boxing?
Trump is a Rich, Big- Mouth Man.
Money Can Buy Anything?Not
God?
You know, I wish I had. It would have provided more excitement than the actual debate last night.
Great Article, Michael. My son and his family have lived in Charlotte for 12 years. My grandsons (ages 10 & 8) love Cam Newton. I have been watching his career at Carolina from the beginning. I have also been reading comments in various mediums regarding Cam being a “thug” or “having no class”. I was not surprised at any of this due to the exact concepts you discussed in this article. I really like how Cam Newton put the issue out front on the FIRST day that the Panthers players met with the Media. That is the way to handle them: put the words “African American” and “scared” right out there. Don’t beat around the bush with innuendo and BS code words.
Love it!!!
Thanks, Connie. I’m just trying to keep it real. Newton is a fine young man. He is doing a good job on and off the field and that is about as much as we can expect from a rich
young man.
Thank you so very much for this article! I have been expressing my opinion about both of the last two games that Mr. Newton played not being on NFL Replay, while the other games that were played that day repeated over and over. I have been very disturbed about the way white sportscasters only talk about ways the Broncos, Paton Manning in particular, should go about beating Carolina: but don’t even entertain the possibility that Mr. Newton might end up beating….no pounding the Broncos. They refuse to acknowledge Cam’s greatness and are all to obvious about their preferences. Thank you for calling it what it is: white male fear of a big Black man who is smart, able, and has already beat their best hope. Something like the continuing hate we see heaped upon our current President. Like those who say Black people should “just get over it” when it comes to racism and continued disenfranchisement: I say “Get Over It”! Black men are brilliant, capable, present and don’t have to be afraid to be who they are because you fear them.
You are right on target. I especially like your conclusion: “Black men are brilliant, capable, present and don’t have to be afraid to be who they are because you fear them.”
Mr Harvey,
This is a great blog. You have already received my remarks but I will say that racism in this country used to be a problem for blacks.I argue that its now a white man’s problem.Cam has changed the paradigm when it comes to the black quarterback.And he now is using his bully pulpit(super bowl) to force our society to deal with race in the context of a great black athlete whose not afraid to celebrate his blackness while also being the best player on the field.His skills sets are far superior than what fans are accustom to seeing from that position and his athletic arrogance is the reason why most white people don’t like him.Just like the slave who wanted to be educated, that puts him in the “uppidity” category when it comes to his on field bravado..In other words, the good ole boys club is saying we let you play but we can’t accept the fact that you are great and made it to a Superbowl being a “black” quarterback. So Cam has set the tone for all conscious athletes who dare to be African American and great inspite of racist backlash and animosity.
Thank you for the compliment and for sharing your thoughts on my blog.
Best article yet. My son was going to Auburn, and he loved some Cam Newton.
Nothing wrong with taunting your opponent with a little Super Man Dance.
I like Peyton too, a Louisiana Boy.
Nevertheless the Brilliants of Football that God give Cam can’t and want be taken.
I hope he has a good Mentor though. Maybe he need, Tony Dungee. Look what they did to one of the best Black Quarterbacks I have ever seen prior to Cam. Sent him to prison for his cousin, Dog Fighting. I am so sick of Racism by white folks who say they’re not racist.
Cam has to be smart and surround himself with people like Venus and Serena.
Talk about a family that the White media couldnt shake or break.
Thanks for the compliment Ms. Smith. You make a good point about Cam needing to surround himself with good people. I hope he is. He seems to be making all the right moves off the field. Also, I agree with you about the Williams family. They have stayed together for several decades. The fact that two sisters at times had to compete against each other was enough of a conflict that would have torn many families apart. Cam has a good supporting family. His father is a strong religious leader and I am sure providing Cam with good advice when he needs it. It all starts with a strong father in the family. The Williams sisters have one and so does Cam.
Congratulations, you nailed it…this should be a word to the wise if they are really serious about winning anything…
I suspect they are not paying attention.
How well I remember those years in Macon, Georgia! Vernon Pitts was a classmate of mine at Ballard-Hudson Senior High before he entered Lanier for our senior year. Kenneth Nixon and his brothers, Ronnie and Norman lived right across the street from me in our neighborhood. For a poor Black community, I am amazed at the number of super citizens it produced. During the ‘one way’ integration of the Bibb County School System, the atmosphere was that Black students had to prove that they were capable of keeping up with white students academically. I mentioned that the integration was ‘one way’ because in the first year or two (maybe more) no white students were assigned to the Black schools. I am tremendously proud of not only the young Black men, but also the young Black females who so bravely pioneered the education integration effort by leaving their comfort zone and stepping into a potentially hostile enviromnent. Their success at the formerly segregated white schools was an affirmation that our Black educators at our segregated Black schools were doing a superb job under less than ideal conditions and second-hand course material and text books. At those Black, segregated schools the opportunity for a superior education was there for any student who desired it and was willing to put forth the effort. It is my hope that we can pass this kind of recent Black history on to the youth of today, so that our Black kids can regain that sense of pride that we possessed.
Edward Barnes, Ballard-Hudson Class of 1965, Albany State College (University) Class of 1973
Where was your home in relation to the Douglas home?
About a mile and quarter from the Douglas home. My neighborhood was east of the Douglas home, near the corner of Montpelier and Pio Nono Ave.
I see.
Congratulations
Thank you.
Congratulations on such a wonderful accomplishment. Your voice is needed to continue to break the shackles that is keeping black people in a mental bondage., Continue to free us even if its one person at a time!!!!!
Thank you for your kind words of inspiration.
Extremely well written and eloquently stated; I could not agree more. For me, this is just the latest in a long series of disappointing self-revelations by Congressman John Lewis. It is long since time for Mr. Lewis to retire.
Thank you J. Bellamy-Walker. Politicians are like athletes, neither knows when it is time to leave the game.
Politicians are like athletes, they do not know when to retire.
Brother Harvey, so on point. A fellow Maconite, Wallace “Winifred” “Hotoda” “Bo” Francis, who attended Ballard-Hudson, became a member of the BPP in California making significant contributions before and after joining. Once a colleague and I tried to assist him in a speaking engagement at Cornell with the legendary Dr. James Cone. His response to us: “Would I know him?”. It seems only the rich and or famous need assert their movement bona fides. Thankfully historians have learned there are unsung heroes and heroines of the movement. Dr. Cones response and dismissiveness remind me of Lewis’
foolish statement. A sad commentary indeed. Says a lot about the man that his comments would be solicited in such a fraudulent and sordid way to mislead the very people he claims to lead and to represent. Perhaps he lost his way in the journey.
Mr. Penn, Dr. Cone would not know me either. He left Tuskegee University within months of my arrival on campus on August 20, 1970. We never had the pleasure to me. I am familiar with his work and surprised to learn of his response.
Rep. Lewis is my good neighbor and it was very difficult to pen this piece. I felt I had to speak up for the untold thousands of people who worked during the civil rights area, whose contributions have never been documented. In my writings I attempt to tell as many of their stories as I can. I history is much richer than that of civil rights icon who get paraded out to tell this limited version of our story.
Wonderful reading and clearly very heartfelt. Thank you sir!
It was not easy expression myself on this one, as Rep. Lewis is my good neighbor. But I felt compelled to raise my voice in the face of changing the historical narrative to fit contemporary political objectives.
Well done Mr. Harvey! I wholeheartedly agree with your point of emphasis. It is the audacity to think that one person’s contribution to any movement is more important than any other’s. Or that because it missed his field of vision Mr. Lewis would dare to say that Bernie was not involved. It does make me wonder, since it seems that we went through this same thing when Sen.Obama was running for President: why does Sen. Lewis continue to champion Clinton with such passion? It appears that he is again not listening to the will of the people that he represents.
Your points are well taken Ms. Grant. It appears that Rep. Lewis will be late to join the Sanders bandwagon as he was in jumping aboard the Obama train eight years ago.
Without diminishing his contribution to the cause, protesting segregated housing in Chicago is not the same as protesting on the front lines in the South in the 60s, as Bernie tries to insinuate he was a part of.
It takes great courage to protest injustice anywhere. The most difficult time Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had was when he attempted to integrate housing in Chicago. Chicago is one place he was not successful. King said he could not believe the hatred that was hurled at him and those who demonstrated with him. All service is worthy and we do a disservice to the movement for justice and equality when we attempt to place a particular aspect of service on a pedal and say that other service does not measure up.
Lewis is not unlike the corrupt dictators of Africa, Asia and Europe. What a useless waste of space in congress. Uncle Tom is an appropriate association to his tenure in the House. You could also label him a House n__ger.
IT seems as if Mr Sanders is already preparing for his impending loss to Hilary Clinton when his focus is so much on “Closing the Gap” as opposed to just winning.He speaks of “Free College” for Public Colleges and State Universities but did anyone remind him that 50% of HBCUs are PRIVATE and how does he plan to address those students given the fact that the Government has cut back on Student Loans for Black Colleges and Universities?Am I suppose to just ignore that as an HBCU Alum? Part of my problem with John Lewis is that he does not stand firm on his position. He simply was stating a fact. He said he never met Bernie Sanders in his travels,marches, or work during the Civil Rights Movement. Thats not dismissive of the thousands who “Participated” whose names are unknown.He was simply being Honest. Bernie implies that he is some Civil Rights Icon but I am more interested in his Record on Civil Rights as a Congressman than I am him Marching with King or joing CORE..What Bills has he authored that aided in the welfare of Black folks?Mr Fort says we have to Make Mr Sanders the Next President but he does not say WHY.Because he said so? And I would like to know if he loses Georgia will he come back to the state and apologize for lying?Well, I have pontificated enough. Peace!!!
State Senator Fort did enumerate a list of reason why he believes Sanders should be elected. Those reason were not in this report and should be charged as an error of omission by the journalist and not to Sen. Fort. Also, the questions you raise of Sanders could very well be asked of each of the candidates in the race. Moreover, the problems you raise about free college tuition can’t be viewed in the same prism as the current system of funding higher education. As I understand Sander’s plan, it would address the deficiencies you reference.
Can you Say: Saint Paul’s College?
http://diverseeducation.com/article/53664/
I certainly hope Tuskegee University does not go the way of St. Paul College. As you are probably aware, I have been reporting on issues affecting Tuskegee University governance for several years now and have come under extreme cruel criticism for being the bearer of bad news.
It is certainly proper to be the bearer of bad news if that news is brought in the interest of making alumni aware of administrative failiure to see the dangers of fiscal and organizational irresponsibility and thereby call the administration to task to face the reality that the “pride of the swift growing south” is in dire straits and must comply with guidelines and protocol to keep it afloat.
Thank you Harold Michael Harvey. TU has a rich heritage and a world renowned University. My husband and I are TU alumni and wish the TU Legacy to continue. Harvey Maxwell recently had a mini stroke. My name is Dandy Bettis Maxwell. Sorry that we are sick and shut-in but we are with you. Keep us informed.
Thank you Mrs. Maxwell. Tuskegee University has a proud and long legacy. The Atlanta Tuskegee Alumni Club did their due diligence and stepped up big time on Saturday. Give my best regards to Mr. Maxwell. I wish him a speedy recovery.
This left me in tears and can I suggest a different ending to this ? I see myself holding up a cup of cheer with tears rolling down my cheeks in my city of brotherly love because we have a President Sanders that will continue the fight President Obama started and perhaps together they will fulfill the dreams we all dream of dignity and respect #Bernie2016
Amen!
The most important question for me, is what can we do to change this?
Good question.This is precisely the conversation this piece was designed to spark. What do you think?
When did Obama ever start the fight you’re talking about?
He is commuting sentences at the federal level. He sent DoD to investigate Police brutality in localities. He had the F box removed off federal job applications which ask about convictions. These are not going to cure all that ails disenfranchised Black citizens. The Office of the Presidency does not have legislative power. He admits that he should have communicated more, should have fought more by voicing displeasure with the opposition more frequently, and should have realized sooner that the opposition had NO intentions of working with him. Of course he did not do enough, but NO president can ever do enough with a legislative, executive and judicial 3 tonged government. People also have to vote, speak out and not vote as a block. What are we doing to ensure our interests are being addressed?
Thank you for your comment.
There are some really smart and articulate black leaders supporting Bernie (for example Ta Nehishi Coates, Nina Turner, Erica Garner, Ben Jealous, Cornell West, Killer Mike, to name a few). Why aren’t these voices making a difference with the African American community?
Walter, you pose a good question. At least one as good as the one I posed in this piece.
Thank you for providing this insight. I do support Bernie but as a white guy, I just don’t feel it my place to say what the best interests are for a group of which I am not a part. I appreciate hearing voices like yours because I am happy to think that his message is resonating.
Sanders messaging is moving throughout my community. I am not sure if he has enough time for it to sink in large enough numbers to make a difference.
This for reading this commentary.
When will there be in this country a moment when we are all seen as equal, as children playing together with one another, no matter the color of their skin. When all have the same opportunity, financially, may be a great first step. When we step away and reject the beliefs that have kept us trapped, I imagine, may help. Thank you, Michael,
this article is just what I needed to read, this afternoon.
welcome, feel the Bern!
Thank you for this. As a White Southerner, it has been challenging to have these conversations with my friends of color without sounding like I’m Whitesplaining. I appreciate your insight so much.
Thank you for reading this piece. Never stop talking to your friends of color about this issue and other artificial issues that tend to divide us along color lines.
https://www.facebook.com/PeoplesDemocraticWorkersParty/posts/1685614565046402
Thank you.
This is an amazing piece. Thank you.
Thank you for reading it and for taking the time to let me know what you thought about it.
Bernie needs to stick to his message and not cow tow to the any group. He doesn’t have to spout his past record on civil rights! Just let the chips fall where they may! The worst thing he could do is compromise his message in order to he politically correct. By in large the majority of Americans respect politicians who are honest, forward-looking, and stick to beliefs and values. Once you try and be a man for all seasons then you might as pack your bags and go home! For this and many other reasons I have the upmost respect and strongly support Bernie “tell it like it is” Sanders!
The most remarkable thing about Sanders is that over the course of his lifetime, he has maintain his core philosophy beliefs.
I think African Americans are so cynical that many have given up and do not pay attention and just vote based on name recognition. This is understandable because the system has failed them and many promises were broken and the real sad thing is Rep Clyburn is against Bernie’s free public college plan because it would enable many African Americans to have a choice of going to a public college instead of an all black college. Obviously he is in bed with these colleges like Hillary is in bed with so many special interests. Bernie does not have a ton of money and he can’t be bought. please wake up and vote Bernie, a vote for Bernie is a vote for yourself.
I am a product of a Black university. While my university is a private institution, like many of the other ones, that are public, it receives state support. So there is a fallacy that Sanders plan will only benefit public colleges. The more we peel back the onion, the more we know.
I’m Bernie supporter, and I found this “explanation”‘to be quite condescending. It took me a minute, after much research, to become a supporter. Before then, I certainly was no “slave who didn’t know she was free”…. I didn’t know Bernie, except for him switching from Independent to Dem, and snippets on CNN here and there, over the years. Early in his campaign, and sometimes still, he seems to push the belief that economic equality will be a catch-all, and lives Black Americans will somehow just fall in order. When I talk to my friends, who are either undecided, or Hilary supporters, they usually say they don’t know enough about him. And the constan comparisons to Donald Trump don’t help.
It’s not as simplistic as you would have folks believe. And Black people are not as simple-minded as your “explanation” seems to depict.
Without my own research, I certainly would be supporting the frontrunner. Diatribes like these make it harder for me and other like me to win support for Bernie Sanders.
Thank you for your perspective on what, to me, was a complex commentary to write.
You are treating the black community as if it is a monolith of thought…all the same. People are individuals and are driven by a lot of different very valid motivators. You should respect that and not act like because all blacks don’t think as you do that they are not smart enough to know what is best for them.
I regret that you feel this commentary is somehow dismissive of black intellectual thought.
Michael, love; read your comments, or opinions. I remember you saying to me that I liked Hillary because she was a woman. I immediately said that wasn’t it……..
However “I asked you why Sanders?”
You are as consistent as the sun rising
in the East with your views my friend.
You really give me something to think about that evening and shared it with my husband.
Bernie has some great ideas, but so does
Trump,the idiot. However Blacks are not running out to vote for him.
Please, Bernie isn’t being compared to the idiot. Just my left right analogy.
I agree, Faith can change the world.
However, I m going with Hillary?
One of Bernie’s Platform, Tuition.
The USA is such a “capitalistic county” and ain’t no way in the USA that the rich want continue to be “The Rich.”
There’s greed in all countries. Nevertheless
American take the cake.
I am going with the lesser of the evils. Plus
Hilliary comes with Bill. The country was in the Black when Bill was president.
I love ready your articles and have much respect for you views and educational information on serious topics.
I am struck by your “Lesser of two evils” comment. What is evil or sinister about the program that Sanders has outlined for the country?
You will note this commentary does not suggest that women are voting for Clinton because she is a woman. It does say that Clinton and her supporters are asking people to vote for her because she is a woman.
Also, your reasoning process that causes you to conclude that you are voting Clinton proves my thesis that Black people are voting for a system they feel more comfortable navigating, because they lack the faith to believe it is possible to get money out of politics.
As always, thank you for your comment.
It is so interesting to see all the different points of view. I am sure there are plenty more. Rather refreshing and educational. Would it not be a blessing to be able to talk about these views without all the hate. Though we are all mad about our own situations and experiences. If we could all find just 1 thing that can be agreed on and work from that point on. But, I am afraid that under the climate that we are all in now, our “leaders” want allow each other to even do that 1 small thing to start a dialog.
“One small chisel, One small hammer, can tear down a wall”
Having respectful and educational conversations is not up to the leaders, it is up to each of us individually. Yes we can tear down the walls that separate us with dialogue. Any old song we would sing in Vacation Bible School comes to mind: “The more we get together, the happier we’ll be. For your friends are mind friends and my friends are your friends. The more we get together the happier we’ll be.”
Are you publishing this article on the various Facebook pages that can reach African-American voters? Many of the Super Tuesday states plus South Carolina this Saturday.
No I am not. However, you are welcome to post this link https://haroldmichaelharvey.com/2016/02/22/why-do-blacks-not-feel-the-bern/ to any readers you believe this information will be helpful in making a decision on their vote this campaign cycle.
As a white southern male born in the 50’s who was partially raised my a Blk housekeeper who had to care more about me that her own children, I have a lot of soul searching to do and have been doing for years. First thing I had to do was own it, admit it, apologies made but not looking for apologies excepted. Move forward with my own biases, and not try to “fix” it. Just let my children know the truth and guess what, it worked for them. They don’t see color, sexual orientation. As my daddy used to say, “some folks just have to die”. There is light at the end of the tunnel. But if things don’t change soon. It will be a train.
You, my friend, have done the healthy thing. An internal spiritual cleanse is good for us all. The world is a better place because of your parenting. I always admired your daddy and your uncle Gene. Give my regards to your uncle. Additionally, your closing statement “But if things don’t change soon. It will be a train.” I reach a similar conclusion in my new book Justice in the Round. If you have not read it, I recommend it to you. It is available on Amazon as an eBook download for $2.99 until the end of the month.
If things don’t change soon fiscally we are all doomed. Why is there no candidate whobis socially liberal but fiscally responsible. And why do we talk as if it is ok to simply talk avout a “black vote”? We are individuals with individual thoughts and ideas. Why should we all vote the same way? We did it with Obama and our unemployment rate only got higher. It scares me to hear people talk about “the black vote”. If you dobit enough one day there will be a “white vote” and it will be a white vote out for vengeance on all they gave away through the years. When we stop talking about votes as if they come in blocks of racial segregation we may start healing. The longer we focus on race the longer the suffering will continue. Please, as an African American, I ask you to keep me out of “the black vote” conversation. My children have different goals and likes than other children and in the end I vote for what I think will leave my children in a better America for them. Obama would have never been elected without the white vote but we refuse to see these things and only focus on negativity instead of the positive America the MLK visioned where a black man could be elected president.
Kevin, you brought yourself into this conversation. Secondly, there has always been a white block vote, an Irish block vote, etc., and in this presidential election cycle there is an important woman block vote. These are all realities of political life and social life.
Very thought provoking and interesting piece. Thank you for writing it. As a white man, obviously I cannot pretend to understand some of the dynamics covered in your article. But I feel like I am better for reading it.
Thank you for reading it. All the world needs is understanding, the rest will follow.
I think the answer may be as simple as Bernie’s lack of name recognition in the black community. Hillary is well known and Bernie is not. As the campaign progresses, the black community will learn more about him and he’ll gain more support.
You may very well be right. However, in the age of the internet, there is ample material readily available for anyone to have gotten very familiar with Sanders long before now. I believe the reasons Blacks pretend not to know much about Sanders is a case of selective knowing.
Very interesting and informative article,Michael. I became a Sanders supporter early on from various posts about him on Facebook which prompted me to do further research. I often hear other people say that Sanders, because he plans to do so much, and the costs of doing those things will be so great, that he will get nothing done. Then Ms. Clinton proposes to do a lot of the same things, except for maybe not going quite as far, but will be almost as costly. So why do we think that she can get things done that Mr. Sanders can’t. With the present make-up on ‘the hill’ there will be no love lost for HRC. She will every bit as much difficulty getting her policies through as President Obama has, and Bernie Sanders would, should he become president. The key for us is understanding that a president can’t do it alone, no more than Michael Jordan, as good as he was, could win an NBA championship alone. He needed help! A president, no matter who he or she may be, needs help. That is why I stress voting EVERY TIME a U.S. representative or U.S. senator in your state is up for reelection. Some of us tend to lose interest in voting after we vote for president. Bernie Sanders has a lot of good ideas for this nation. We just need to research and learn what they are and how they will benefit us.
Thanks for reading this commentary. I often hear people say there is no enough known about Sanders. However, in the age of the internet, there is a whole lot of information about Sanders and his views. A Sanders presidency will bring with it the hatred that a Clinton or Obama brings to the table. I actually think that Sanders can get a lot done. That being said, you make a good point about the down ballot. The problem is that the DNC spent the last four years trying to clear a non-contested pathway for Clinton that it did not spend sufficient time in candidate recruitment and raising funds for down ballot candidates. Either there needs to be new leadership in that organization or progressives need to organize their own party and began to contest these statewide and national elections.
Hurdles:
Many African Americans like Bill and Hillary is accepted, by proxy.
Hillary (of the Chicago Rodhams) is seen as more of a southerner, due to Bills Arkansas roots.
Many women would like to see a female president and break the last , of two glass ceilings.
Hillary has had a long relationship with the Black community, and time= valued.
Hillary has an infrastructure and organization , not her first time around.
Hillary is already known and accepted, as such, given a pass as some in the African American community are not aware, don’t care or even turn a deaf ear, to any derogatory information about her and close ties to the MICC, Wall Street bankers , in particular.
Bernie is less known.
He is characterized as too ‘pie in the sky’ or unrealistic.
He tends to talk in broad generalities about racism , police state, low opportunity.
Hillary adds racism against African Americans, police abuse of power against African Americans, jobs for Black people
Bernie does not openly embrace Christianity, and how can that be trusted, right? Even if the message sounds moral….. he may be a closet heathen to the faithful….
Bernie is a northeasterner, from a ‘white’ state, no less (he doesn’t understand our plight).
Bernie is painted as someone who can’t get things done, too left of center. Although ANY bill needs a majority..
The Clinton campaign has been shrewd to embrace Obama-ism, so any disagreement with her is somehow and attack on the work (and disrespect to) President Obama. If Bernie says he wants health care for all people, he didn’t specify his focus on poor black people and she cleverly says, ‘you are trying to dismantle Obamacare, I will not sit by and let you destroy the programs that African Americans need and ruin all the hard work President Obama has put in to improve our system.’ example of twisting his message……
Good analysis. Thanks for responding.
An execution.
Anyway you look at it, it should never have happened.
Thank you for covering the story.
Thank you for your encouragement.
My thing Michael is one question i would like to know from mpd is if the officer was struggling with mr.gunn for a whole block, why when neighbors heard the shots and looked out officer Smith car was already at the scene, remember now he said he was out his cruiser a whole block away, unless he has some type of magic powers like bewitch and twitch his nose and the cruiser drove itself to the scene,and i know their cruiser are not a google car.
Good question. The Preliminary Hearing is schedule for March 24 and I plan to be there to hear all of the details for myself. I am curious about how this alleged struggle took place too.
If it’s not one thing it’s another. Why would you shoot another individual in the back 4 times. Cops has been out of hand for years.
Nevertheless, the Justice System is still for the criminal. Until Victims have rights, or the family member of the victim, if dead
this kind of behavior will continue.
I agree there should be rights for victims. Mrs. Gunn should have been allowed to comfort her son while he laid dying a few steps from her home.
Bond $150,000, the new way to make others happy. That’s nothing for person that accused of Murder. I have seen others get s higher bond for selling marijuana .
So true. He was out within minutes of being booked. The bond was paid by his fellow officers.
Mr. Harvey…are we to assume you are supporting Sen. Sanders? If so, plz tell us more. All politicians …like all human beings… are flawed. We generally select the best of the worse. To put it another way… and for many Afr. Americans….
“…it’s better with the devil you know”! This is NOT AN argument in support of HRC necessarily. Whomever the Democratic nominee…I will vote for that person.
No you should not assume that I support Senator Sanders. I report the news. My blog contains several reports on presidential politics 2016. I have written extensively about both the Republican and Democratic Primaries. Maybe it is past time for “many African Americans” to get to know a new “devil.”
Tuskegee. The pride of the South, and it still can be. Do one think that having Dr.Johnson under control is a good thing?
You can’t make people genuinely care about other. I will never forget how this man treated me after my son died. Never said one word of sympathy, and no one made him.
A man like that running an institute that already has its trouble is crazy. He should have been “fired” after he sent me, a grieving mother a letter saying he didn’t give a shit about my son. Not the exact words, but maybe it’s time I post the complete correspondent between the two of us to the AJC, or anyone that will listen.
My son adored Tuskegee, and it was Dr. Rochon who showed compassion and empathy for my family after the death of my 21 year old son. What you have now is a monkey playing the role when being watch. Integrity comes when no one is looking. My son was proud to be a Tuskegee Man, and I am proud to have been his mother. However don’t get the like of caring that took place for my son after he was killed. I pray that this doesn’t happen to another soul. Long as you have a cold heated monkey like Dr. Johnson there, you can’t teach love and compassion. Some people can’t even fake it.
I hear you loud and clear. Hopefully, members of the Board of Trustees will read your comment and take it under advisement. Tuskegee University is much bigger than Dr. Johnson. The university offers the world much more than any one leader could ever offer. I am glad to see that the university’s board is taking steps to get the school back on track. Rome was not built in a day and neither will the problems of leadership at Tuskegee be solved in one full scoop.
I agree that Tuskegee “should” be bigger than Dr. Johnson, but it isn’t possible. That’s like saying the debates are bigger than Donald Trump.
He’s an Embarrassment and a laughing stock to a great institution. The board has change, hopefully for the best and I do agree that Rome isn’t built in a day, but Rome rid themselves of many bad leaders.
However Tuskegee still have Nero.
I am on the positive Tuskegee train but we can’t have peace with bitter hearts.
I hear you loud and clear.
Wow. Very hurtful. Now more than ever.
My children wasn’t by far Dr. King but the were my Kings. There death has given me the chance to view life as it is, so unfair.
Nevertheless I truly believe you Destiny is planned by God in your mother womb.
Some get it done and some don’t due to life circumstances.
Dr. King did!
Did Nikki and BJ?
Only God knows this one.
My, my. Blame the black man. That always works. Goverment can do no wrong silly man. ?
Yep, I am appalled that reasonable thinking Americans would allow a former President and a former NFL All-Pro get away with this type of assault on black people.
[…] Tuskegee Student Shot […]
Great Story as usually. Education at its finest?.
Thank you. I seldom score 100 points.
Wow, totally don’t get this Micheal.
Don’t get most things today my friend.
Donald Trump for President, Wow.
Let’s talk soon.
Great as usual
Wow, underscores the world we live in today. Call me when you have time.
Shame on you, Maria!
Tear, oh hell. One of most beautiful Mothers Day Story I have ever read.
Thank you.
Excellent Journalism. Maynard has always reported the front runners news. I will always want to see the other side of the mountain. Keep up the good work. We have your back.
Good work.
Stick to your guns and vote your conscience. And for Petes sake, don’t lament the loss.
Well I am not a wordsmith like my highly intelligent friend. Nevertheless I am as real as real can get, oh wait. I think that’s a song?.
They are all a bunch of fools if you ask me.
However, I have to vote. I prefer voting for myself, not possible.
They were never “Real Friends” anyways.
We should be able to agree to disagree.
Purge is often good for the soul.
I hear ya. This piece is actually about the split that is occurring inside the Democratic Party. You will be hearing more about it in the coming days in mainstream media. As a writer, I tend to write about national issues from the personal perspective because as they say all politics is local.
Micheal, I am afraid that Hillary and the Bern better join forces, like Batman and Robin.
If not, the Donald will be president. The Art of The Deal will be in the White House making nothing but money for his personal Treasure Chest.
I believe you are correct. If the Democratic Party cannot come together the likelihood of a Trump presidency is a real possibility.
Never in my life have I seen such reckless talk and no one challenge him.
I think he’s the Anti-Christ.
I’ve not seen anything quite like this either.
If I were not alive I would never believe this whole nightmare if it was told to me. He is saying all of these things and no one is challenging him at all. Are they afraid of him or what. I must be missing something. I can see us as a third world country soon.
If I did not have a front row seat I would find it hard to believe too.
The “so-called” journalists are no longer in the news to report the News. They also DO NOT challenge lies and/or opinions. God, have mercy on us all!!!!
I agree. The media has been complicit in this dangerous rise of Donald J. Trump.
Well Done
Thank you. More to come.
I always get a History lesson from your articles which are facts. My heart ( what I have left) is breaking.
Times like those must have been tough.
Sad situation for any “Human Being” to feel they should be superior over another.
Superiority belongs to God, our father.
Someone should tell that to Donald Trump.!
Humbled by your expression. Bigots like Trump can not comprehend their bigotry.
Micheal I think that you were keeping Chuck alive longer due to whatever was troubling him in his heart. I can probably say but don’t want to speculate.
When one is sick to the point I think Chuck might have been minds are opened and one reevaluate their lives.
Nevertheless. You made a positive different in Chuck’s life before he met his maker.
Thank you for your comments. I would like to think that I made a difference in his life. He sure impacted me. I will be sharing with his family tomorrow.
We often gain friends that we never have seen in person, technology and the wonderful world of social media breeds those wonderful friendships.Great account Harold of your lost friend, may he R.I.P..
So true the age in which we live makes getting to know people in other parts of the country or world a whole lot easier. Chuck is one of those friends that I will miss.
I know your concerns. Nevertheless I will let this brother leave with God’s Grace. He’s not done yet.
He’s been through so much.
Racism is so tiring and We continue to go through it everyday.
He had to endure it publicly.
Are you suggesting that my concerns do not “let this brother to leave with God’s Grace?”
Micheal, just reading your post assures me that your’re floored with the impact that you had on Chuck.
In a small way I hear regrets. Women has intuitions. Men, well?
Add my family to the pray list too.
I believe?
Cynthia, thanks for your comment. I have no regrets. I enjoyed the online time I spent with Chuck, but I would not be honest if I did not also say, I wish I had flown up to meet him. You and your family have been on my prayer list since we met several years ago. Be blessed.
Brian Johnson stated that he will get from 3200 students to 10,000? Please the only time 10,000 students
will be on that campus will be former students and Alumni during Homecoming. If he plans to do that at TU
they have a long way to go to catch up with: Jackson State University, Howard University, Florida A&M University and North Carolina State University… those Universities are at the 10,000 student mark…What is Brian Johnson claiming to do to make student population like the come to fruition? Brian Johnson is sounding like Donald Trump all air with no oxygen. “Don’t hold your breath!
Tuskegee is a unique center of culture and higher learning. Because it is what it is, anything is possible. Because it’s alumni are who they are, anything is possible. Get on board “Mr. Bill” the “Pride of the swift growing south” is leaving the station ride with us to destination success!
So, let me get this straight. The Atlanta Club’s Vote of No Confidence was blatantly ignored by the Trustees? Isn’t this a violation of sorts? Sounds like a shady move by the BOT, which should NOT be tolerated and should be exposed at the National level.
This is my understanding. If this is incorrect, I would welcome someone from the Atlanta Tuskegee Alumni Club to correct me.
Portions of the above are inaccurate.
This is not a new rule. It has been the practice since I have been involved with TNAA. (This subterfuge comes on the heels of new rules which prevent dues paying members of the Tuskegee National Alumni Association from voting to elect officers if they are not present at the Association’s conference that will be held in August this year in Las Vegas, Nevada.) I am not sure where the following comes from. When we last voted for the Alumni Trustee this issue came up but was resolved in favor of ALL known alumni voting which based on the mailing I have seen remains the practice. (In previous years, the rules permitted all alumni a vote on the alumni trustee, whether they were members of Tuskegee National Alumni Association (TNAA), as long as they were a member of a local alumni club. Now only those alumni who are dues paying members of TNAA will be permitted a vote.)
It is disappointing that the Club’s leadership decided not to go forward with the will of the body. I would hope that the Club takes some action to sanction those member up to removal from office!!
Thank you for your comment. This information came from an alumni who has been a member of TNAA since 1981.
I concur, regarding sanctions against those officers/executive board members who in secret decided to go against the will/vote and decision of the club. Even if this effort is executed retroactively, it should be done to send a clear message that this seemingly unethical behavior will not be tolerated!
However apart from Rose Merry Brock, former president/possibly still acting president of ATAC until the Fall 2016; I have not been able to identify the officers of the Atlanta Tuskegee Alumni Club (ATAC). I never received any documents from ATAC (though every club is governed by the TNAA and I have a copy of its constitution and bylaws).
Sad, but it is my understanding that the President’s contract has been renewed and he is completely underwhelming and underperforming.
Thanks for your comment. It will take an actively engaged alumni association to bring about positive change in the administrative situation at Tuskegee University.
I was on the board in various offices for about 18 years until about 2008 and that’s what I am basing my statement on. Thanks for the feed back.
You have to understand that we have an extremely weak board. I only hope if for them to get or demonstrate that they have a clue and perform their fiduciary responsibility to assure that he is performing in the best interest of the School. I wish I could get a sense of growth in the President but he truly demonstrates a significant flaw in the “Peter Principle” or the Board’s hiring practice, in my opinion.
My frustration grows!!!
Louisiana is in a BIG recession from the former Governor Bobby Gindall catastrophic administration, and the state still has to continue to cut…Grambling University probably did not have the proper budgets to work with and Dr. Bradford is not a magician. They wanted him to bake this cake but the state did not supply him with eggs and butter….just flower. Who wants that headache? No money to do anything with? Please…I can’t say I blame him.
Correction: I meant to say Dr. Larkin not Dr. Bradford…
“….I never imagined I’d ever be at Tuskegee University and didn’t seek this job, but when the opportunity presented itself, I applied,” said Johnson, who turned 41 in July (2014)….
Johnson has personally done his part to make a good first impression, establishing a $100,000 family gift that will take the form of an endowed student scholarship spread out over five years.
He said funds won’t be withdrawn from the base amount, only interest drawn from the endowment to help students far into the future.?
… Courtesy of the Montgomery Advertiser
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/local/alabama/2014/10/24/johnson-journeyed-projects-top-university/17820019/
Only 3 more years before we get to draw down the interest on the $100,000 endowment! Will the school be open then?…. M.T.
Poignant……
Michael,
I think the blowback has begun with Donald Trump’s comments on Fox News this Monday morning when he implied that President Obama’s body language was different from his words in his comments regarding the police shootings in Baton Rouge.The blowback might be the election of Donald Trump for president.
Yep, the law and order candidacy worked with for Richard Nixon in 1968.
Unfortunately I think this young man will be food for campaign foder and a recruiting tool for racist militias! I know him and his family! $75,000 cash bond and possibly 20-60years! Words from a man feeling preyed upon and questioning the justice system!
http://fox6now.com/2016/07/11/you-kill-our-children-we-return-the-favor-racine-man-charged-accused-of-threatening-officers-on-social-media/
But what those UNDERCLASSED has failed to see is that the the GOP spreads the wealth among the ALREADY WEATHY WHITES, and this process keeps them exactly where they already are….IN THE UNDERCLASS. A prime example of that system was showcased right here in Alabama 17th a 23count felony case against the Alabama Speaker of the house. 23 counts of using the government system to funnel 2.3million dollars into his bank accounts,not yours as the state cut jobs and raised the 529college funds. Then asked voters to give them the authority to raid the rainy day fund to the sum of $425million dollars, as they choses not to expand state Medicare, or except 2billions dollars from the as they say..OBAMACARE incentives as provided by the FEDS. They starved the white middle class by making them here President Obama and his administration. So as Alabama voted Anti-Obama tickets the last 8years, they are in 7 of those years how corrupt those GOP candidates are. So if Alabama could be a model for the country…WATCH OUT AMERICA. OR SHALL I SAY BLACK AMERICA, keep your green card handy…IJS
No convention bounce for Donald Trump in the polls but a clear warning to Americans that early 20th century sentiments preceding World War I and II are still alive among a lot of men and women; but not enough to change values.
Ironically, the kinds of people who lavish praise on Trump for the pursuit of power, are not interested in empowerment of other Americans seeking to be empowered not great.
TU is in trouble financially, and allowed the present leadership to drive Mother Tuskegee
into the dangerous waters. TU’s ship has finally entered into the same troubled waters as did
another HBCU did back in 2003…Saint Paul’s College in Lawerenceville, VA. The same financial
diagnosis killed Saint Paul’s College may put TU in critical condition…The remedy: Change leadership
(the Captain of the ship quickly) and go into another direction.
http://diverseeducation.com/article/53664/
WE MUST ACT IMMEDIATELY TO SAVE TUSKEGEE BYANY MEANS NECESSARY.AN ALUM CONFERENCE
ON CAMPUS FOR INTERVENTION IS IN ORDER.WILL FOLLOW UP WITH ALUM IMMEDIATELY.
Your mayor posted an announcement of a $39 million solar contract for the Tuskegee Commerce Park and the hope for 25 jobs. Was there any consideration of involving the University’s Engineering Department or other facilities?
You pose a good question. I know that Mayor Johnny Ford sometimes reads my posts and maybe he will see this one and respond directly to your question. I would like to know the answer to this very important question.
First things first,Mr. Harvey, slaves did not build anything thing in this country; ENSLAVED HUMAN BEINGS OF AFRICAN DESCENT DID! We must be philosophically committed to returning to our ancestors their Humanity and Dignity, for goodness sake! In lieu of that, the issues at Tuskegee are many, and I agree wholeheartedly on all points emphasized in the article.
Kindric, you are absolutely correct. I was a little sloppy in my language after hearing the First Lady mischaracterize my ancestors this week and the public parroting that followed her mischaracterization. I will correct the cut line on my photo immediately. Thank you so much for pointing this omission out to me.
Personally, many had to see this coming. High profile speakers, extravagant Baccalaureate luncheons, new police cars, golf carts and raises for presidential staff all pointed to the obvious.
Rochoh was let go because he was “spending too much money”. Johnson is spending the same money but in places that are less visible. He claims that he pays for his ideas out of “his” budget. The problem is, his budget is not external to the basic budget. Everything is cut except for his budget/salary/expenses. His CEO mentality is something to behold. Believing thay he is a CEO is apparent. CEOs eat while company employees starve! That’s how Enron imploded.
Prayerfully, we do not go down the same path as Morris Brown. We have yet to see the big gifts roll in!
Know your facts…no new police cars have been purchased since 2011 under he previous administration… The car you are referring was purchased by and titled to the chief. Yes I use my $35,000 vehicle for some police functions as a service to my university…..what hav you donated back to Mother Tuskegee?
RIP will read the headline and so it should! Until the prestigious alumni of “MOTHER TUSKEGEE” look up and find themselves unemployed because they need a degree from an Accredited College or Institution. Alumni feel the dire situation does not impact them! Ask Albany State University how they were folded into Darton College in broad daylight by the Georgia Chancellor.
Some students even secretly hope the University loses its accreditation so that they “may” have their loans discharged! Ignorance is bliss and possibly the reality for imagining your student loans could be dismissed!
If Chairman Page wants to stand by and support Johnson as the ship sinks; he better have a life jacket and raft on deck! Every Tuskegee Alumni Board Members needs to be on notice and aware! Be prepared to go down on record as standing on the right or wrong side of history. Saving the University is the priority and paramount! Johnson does not have the skill set to complete this task!
Over two years ago many Alumni started a letter writing campaignto the BOT. There were naysayers who refused to see that the direction which TU was heading was like a head on collision. I’m just wondering if they have seen the light or in this case the imminent darkness ahead.
I hope enough concern alumni take action and demand that the Board of Trustees take immediate action to protect the viability of the Pride of the Swift Growing South.
Wow…. look what happened to Morris Brown another HBCU which had to close its doors. Tuskegee University has been hurting for many years. It’s time for a change.
INTERVENTION IS NEEDED…….
T………..U………
Thanks for keeping us informed as to what is going on at “Mother Tuskegee”. It is starting to look like the alums have to start making some noise.
If the alums don’t start making some noise soon, there will not be no cheers coming up from Alumni Bowl in our future.
Thanks for this most important information regarding our university. The operating staff needs changing.
Thank you for your comment. I often get criticized for airing the universities dirty laundry in public. I do not believe things will ever get better if we are not willing to talk publicly about them.
The cuts to the retirement plan was the biggest sign of financial instability.
Great article as usual.
Always very informative and educational to me.
Thanks,
Thank you for your kind words and for reading my work. I appreciate readers who come back and back. and who don’t mind taking the time to let me know what they think.
Great. I can see how they would think you were a spy??.
Again, very informative.
Just think, they got a better story from me than from the guy covering it for the Huffington Post.
Please before the sun comes up!!!
Sooner rather than later!
Sir:
There is currently a team of auditors on campus for the next 3 weeks as we speak!
The auditors who monitor the endowment are separate and external from the current administration that has not been able to provide an adequate financial report in year(s). Yes yes years that is plural under Johnson and Rochon!
Maybe the TU Board of Trustees having their integrity, competence, ethical and moral character brought into question will finally place Chairman Page in the position to disregard his similar upbringing/”affinity” for Johnson and save his stellar reputation and creditials.
Like Paul Ryan and Donald Trump; Chairman Page appears to be “Not quite there yet”….
I suggest he get there quickly, lead the charge and stand on the right side of history! The alumni will soon question Chairman Page’s leadership! He has to make the right decision! If he can not; someone else on the board MUST!
Now is the time for all good alumnus to come to the aid of their university.
AMEN
Amen!
Where are other alumni who feel similarly? We are in dire need of plan and action- from Trustees to President we need a reset led by Alumni, with a strong contingent of “under 30”
Another call to action. I hope they are reading and listening and will step up and provide the leadership the university needs at this critical period in history.
How? What can we do to make this happen or to get someone’s attention?
It’s time to organize. Several people have commented on this thread with a similar question. Time to organize and making plans outside of the channel of the school approved alumni clubs.
I won’t go into details about your accurate predictions about the student loan bubble that is going to burst. I will say that Tuskegee is on the verge of going the way of the dinosaur if it does not drastically change course. FYI: In addition to the student loan bubble that will burst, mark my words: We are going to see a Brain Drain as our best minds exit this country for greater opportunities elsewhere.
I think you are right about the “Brain Drain.” The brightest and the best no longer have to settle for second rate institutions that fail to offer the course of study that suits their interest.All of our schools, especially our HBCUs have to be in a constant state of improvement in order to stay ahead of the curve. I will be watching the Brain Drain paradigm shift now that you have brought it to my attention.
I would not allow my child to attend Tuskegee currently (academic warning status, significant financial deficits, no access to health medical care or fresh quality food).
Any Tuskegeean recruiting for the school at this point should also be on the hook to refund any students money they convince to attend. The Wall Street Journal article alone is reason to not #TrustTheTrajectory.
The slogan should be #Don’tTrustTheTrajectory
Fact check fact check and fact check again.
The arrogance of this so called leader is something all concerned alumni, students and supporters of Tuskegee University should be wary of. As an alumni with a daughter enrolled there, I find it disturbing that Mr. Johnson has not directed funds to improve student housing but has absolutely no problem spending funds sprucing up the Presidents quarters. There has been more than enough concern about this man to warrant a “Federal” investigation. An independent “audit” of how this man is misappropriating funds that should be used for student welfare and safety. Calling any and all Alumni who are either attorneys or involved in law enforcement on a state of federal level to push for an investigation into how this University is being used as a cash cow by this want to be gansta.
Thank you Lt. Col Brown for your call to action.
Surely, I was one of the so called students that was not expected to graduate. Coming from a poor beginning and raised on public education. Being at Tuskegee caused me to raise my level of focus, and eventually graduate. (5 years). Start a business, and repay my student loan. It is my understanding that Tuskegee was created for people like me, not the prepared, and pre polished. Tuskegee gave me a chance when other institutions would not.
Congratulation to you. Where there is a will there is always a way. Tuskegee was founded because there was no school in East Alabama for Black children, prepared or otherwise. We have to make sure that the doors remain open for students like yourself and the polished. This university means much not only to Tuskegee graduates, but to the larger Black community as well. It would be a shame that a bit of foolishness at the top causes this legacy to come tumbling down.
Thank you, I agree!!
Thank you.
I am thankful for your honest account of what’s happening at TU. What can we do to effect change?
Kahlia Bell, thank you for your comment. I do not have the answers, but I know without knowledge of what is transpiring at our dear university, we could not begin to effect any change. The key to resolving any problem is to organize around a group of people who share your concerns. Together, the Tuskegee family can overcome this challenge.
Thank you for your comments. I do not have the answers, but I know that organization is the key to solving any problem.
I am not questioning the validity of your article. I just attended my first national alumni meeting (and I was delegate for my chapter). The president received a glowing review from the leaders! I will admit that I may not know who everyone present was. I am sure the president of alumni association I think he is from Alabama and the chairman of the board both gave outstanding reviews on the new president and progress the university has made under the new president. The chairman gave a solid financial report on the financial status of the university! We did not receive any hard copies but the chairman said the university was not in trouble academic or financial and is fiscally sound! Everyone who spoke in Vegas said everything being reported was false and that Johnson inherited Payton’s and Rochon’s mistakes.
The new president of the Atlanta’s club even said after the president spoke that the Atlanta club fully supported Johnson and were behind him 110%!
I again am not questioning you, well I guess I am!
I am new to this whole thing and apologize for being a helicopter alumni. Meaning I fly in and hover or Tuskegee for homecoming only….. I still consider myself a young alumni….? Under 30!
BUT …. If the chairman says there are no financial problems and our accreditation is not in danger….. Well!
If the president of a club you claim or reported took a vote of no confidence says they are 110% behind Johnson then…. Well were you there??
Again I am just asking because I just don’t know what or who to believe!
I’m just saying please help me understand if…….someone has their facts wrong!
Carmen, thank you for your comments and your request for information: As I understand your question you ar not sure whether to believe the report you received at the TNAA conference or news reports you read via my blog. You specifically ask if I was present during the Atlanta Tuskegee Alumni Club February meeting where a vote of no confidence in the performance of Dr. Johnson and the Board of Trustees was made. First, a lesson in reading newspapers or magazine. Whenever you see an article stamped with a date line that gives the location of the event at the beginning of the story, that means that the reporter is present on site witnessing the events as they occur. You will note that the article where the no vote of confidence was issued had such a date line. Here is a link to that article:
https://haroldmichaelharvey.com/2016/02/20/tuskegee-alums-no-vote-of-confidence/
The bold type, ATLANTA, Georgia Cascade Press (CP) indicates that Cascade Press had a reporter at this event (me). Because, our date line indicated that I was present at the meeting, I wanted to make sure that the readers knew that I did not participate in the meeting as an alumni and then wrote from a biased position (journalism ethics requires a journalist to disclose any possible bias up front), so at the end of the article you will note that an Editor’s Note was included to indicate that the reporter did not participate in the discussion or cast a vote on the issues on the floor. See the editor’s note below:
EDITOR’S NOTE: Harold Michael Harvey is a dues paying member of the Atlanta Tuskegee Alumni Club but neither participated in the discussion nor cast a vote on either motion.
Yes, Carmen, I was in the room when the vote took place. I duly recorded what transpired at the meeting down to the vote on both items. I did not argue for or against the votes of no confidence, nor did I vote on either of them, because I did not want my report to be biased. I wanted those who were not in attendance to have a clear view of what had taken place. I have no reason to lie, or to fabricate anything. You are free to believe what you want about my reporting, but I will continue to report the facts as I see them and when I offer an opinion I will be sure to label the article as an editorial so the reader will know that I am expression my opinion as oppose to reporting an objective news story. I hope this clears up in your mind what I observed at the Atlanta meeting. I have no doubt that you witnessed in Vegas what you have recounted in your comments. I do not doubt that those representations were made before your very eyes. So too were the events of the February 20, 2016 meeting of the Atlanta Tuskegee Alumni Club made before my very eyes. I brought the report back that I had observed. Just think how you would feel,if I doubted that you saw in Vegas what you say you saw.
This is why I am baffled. Wait let me say I make it a point to learn something new each day.? I had no idea about the journalism citing. Thank you sincerely for educating me. I am slightly embarrassed. ?
How or why would the chairman say the school is in a good place financially if we are not? ?Why would Atlanta’s club president not send their vote up? Why would the president then say the Atlanta club supported Johnson 110% if the club took a vote that said they don’t have confidence in Johnson.
I am a young alumni and currently back in school working on another advanced degree. I chose the field of education. I don’t earn a lot. I feel like older alumni and the Univeristy don’t respect you or listen if you are not one of those older big donors! ?
I just want to know what I can do to help save the school from what appears to be a possible demise. ???How do we contact the chairman, who hires and fires Johnson?
You posed several significant questions in the second paragraph of your comment. Frankly, I do not have the answers. Their public posture baffles me as well. I applaud your efforts to obtain an advanced degree and wish you well in your chosen field of education. I will follow up with the names and addresses of the members of the Board of Trustees and will submit that to you under separate cover.
Thank you for the very informative article. I would like to know more… I am a Tuskegee Alum and the author of the book Booker T. Washington and Africa: The Making of A Pan Africanist. I had a lot of interaction with the university while writing both my dissertation and then the book. At one point I was actively seeking to join the TU faculty during the change from Richon to Johnson. But things didn’t look good then…
Thank you again for the article, please check out the book, it is all about Washington’s clandestine role in Africa, and what he attempted to do with the Tuskegee model, once perfected. You can read about the cases and purchase the book via the site. BookerTWashingtonandAfrica.com
Thank you for your comments. I reference Booker T. Washington’s role in developing schools in Africa in my book Justice in the Round: Essays on the American Jury System. You can purchase it on this website. I will be sure to order a copy of your book. It sounds like a very interesting topic.
THANKS FOR SHARING THIS MOST SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION.I AM FELING DISMAYED ABOUT THE FINANCIAL STATUS OF TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY.IS THERE ANY WAY AS ALUMS WE CAN HAVE WEEK END SUMMIT ON CAMPUS OR AT ANOTHER LOCATION TO ADRESSS THESE ISSUES RIGHT AWAY.WE NEED
A COPY OF THE OPERATING BUDGET,DEBTS OWED,ENDOWED MENT FUND UP DATE,FUND RAISING PLANS,AND PROJECTIONS.IT IS CRICAL THAT WE BECOME PROACTIVE AND ADRESS THE ISSUES THAT YOU IDENTIFIED.
Your suggestion would be a good beginning. However, neither the administration or the Board of Trustees believe there is a problem and are unlikely to sanction the release of this information to a group of alumni.You have to be the change you seek if you want to help dear old Tuskegee.
Several years ago I recommended to several TU board members and alumni that a new business model be implemented by TU. The first step in this model would require open communication in the form of effective University functions, by releasing the board of trustees minutes annually on the official TU website. Their is no current process to uniformly releasing such information.
The benefits of such an action, it would hold all stakeholders and the Tuskegee President accountable to its many publics. Our well heeled Alumni with a certain skill set would be able to create a nimble competitive change process where needed. Not overruling the governing bodies but making recommendation that would keep Tuskegee relevant.
The days of secret black societies are over! As we can see from the fruits of that labor has ended in mass closings of our institution. When I graduated from TU in the late 80″s there 120 HBCU and now there are less than 95 today.
Shining a spotlight on the Board’s proceedings would greatly impact not only the perception, it would also impact the problems that exist.
Tuskegeeans will deserve exactly whatever they allow these money hungry, back alley deal cutting leaches to do to us!
If these board members don’t realize how their decisions or lack of action reflects on them professionally there is nothing else to be said. When I first received the WSJ article I was elated. Until I took the time to read the article in its entirety. Brian Johnson basically said he is pimping our children. The lack of response from the board and alumni sends a signal that this is okay. As long as Brian, obviously the board and their crew get their money and homecoming is not disturbed who cares!!!
I am tuning in late but it doesn’t take an Einstein to figure out something in the milk ain’t clean. How could a man with the creditials of Brian Johnson ever even be considered to enter Lincoln Gates! Why would the chairman who is an attorney or rather legal counsel for a major corporation allow this infidel to stay and tear down Tuskegee.
Follow the money find the truth.
Scratch a lie find a thief.
I do give and when I learned how much money this idiot was spending monthly on the back of Tuskegee I puked! They pay this kid $350,000, for what? To wear glow sticks on his head at block parties?
Everyone fell for that ploy about the new president giving the school a $100,000 gift! Wait on it! No he will give it after he is at Tuskegee 5 years! Who will get a kickback out of the incentives and benefits the clown is over in the meantime?
Let them eat cake!
We don’t deserve Brian Johnson but if we don’t do something quick, we will deserve whatever we get!
Thank you for taking the time to actually read the Wall Street Journal report and for weighing in on this issue.
Harold Harvey:
I don’t know you but I appauld what you do. I did a little background on you this morning and you are a very cool cat!
So many alums are of the opinion if we remain silent and pray it will all work out. I am not! I refuse! I will be headed to the campus with a group from Detroit, Chicago and Cincinnati soon. Please have anyone from the classes of 86- 91, Russell or Bethune Halls contact me. We as men must stand up and not let the university fall down! Or anyone interested in getting some answers and forcing some resignations.
I applaud your willingness to work for the integrity of Tuskegee University. I will pass your message on. Please let me know when you will be on campus with your group and if available, I will drive over and be with you.
This is scary and troubling Michael. However, I want to reiterate something that a lot of people do not think about: Good, hardworking young people are buying guns for their own protection. I had a perfectly reasonable and good History student once who terrified me by saying that he had a gun. “Oh no, Ms. Allen I would never harm you or any of my classmates, but I’ve met a rowdy element on my way to school, and I’m scared that without a gun I am going to get killed by someone.”
The local community is a much scarier place today than it was 46 years ago when I entered Tuskegee. I’m sure that many on the guns on campus are in the possession of good hard working students who feel they need to protect themselves from the bad guys. I do not have the answers, I just watch and report.
All of you are wasting your time! It is unfortunate but blacks are reactive not proactive. This come a multi-racial person. I am so glad I got a second degree from an Ivy League to balance the lazy alumni at Tuskegee.
I was drug out to an alumni meeting today. Hate to even admit it my sorors are the major contributors to the destruction of the University. Advising us privately to stay quiet indicating the board who get rid of the problem after the next accreditation review.
Ivy League was so different! The difference is black and white! Children not safe, school on warning, no financial report in 6 years. Only at an HBCU is this possible and someone’s head not roll.
Are you the only man willing to speak up?
Why are more alumni not willing to standing up?
Sometimes I feel like I am. A few will send private messages, but seldom will they go public.
Who hired the president?
Who is responsible for his contract?
Whom can we contact to ask that they terminate him?
Please post or send us this information!
The Board of Trustees hires the president. I will get the contact information and post as soon as possible.
HARVEY,I AM HEARING SOMETHING IN MY PROFESSIONAL EAR AND MY SOUL.COULD THERE BE A DRUG PROBLEM OF AB– USE, ADDICTION, AND TRAFFICKING THAT PROVOKES THIS VIOLENCE.?
Ms. Baker, I don’t know. There could be a variety of social problems that could be a trigger for this rash of violence. These acts are occurring all over the country. One of the few places we think our children can be safe is in school. There is a solution. It will take the university and city officials working together to find it. You just can’t have the university to point at the location and say it was not on my property and therefore, I don’t have anything to do with it. The community will have to work together to solve the problems that causes so many of our young people to pick up guns and form the mental intent to end the life of another human being.
Isn’t it time we as black people do for our own communities. If we would eliminate some of these small churches and combine ourselves we could do more in our neighborhood. Everyone wants to pay light and gas, garbage, insurance and other small cost rather than combine with the church down the street.
The young fellow who went through the neighbor cutting grass for people who could not afford to have it done was an example of what we as elders should be doing. It was to beautify the neighborhood. Trust me when people see that someone cares they will care to. But I do not need anyone giving me nothing the door was opened for me and I got it myself.
We have talked about this for over 40 years but someone think that the light will shine more on someone else than them.
Thank you for your comment. You have sparked the dialogue and I hope others will join in this discussion. I like your point about eliminating some of the smaller churches. I am an old Colored Methodist. Among Black Methodist, you have the CMEs,the AMEs and the AME Zion. Just think how strong the black Methodist Church would be if these three branches combined into one connectional church. The problem is none of the Bishops want to give up their power and authority to make meger happen.
Why are we waiting for someone else to solve our problems? It is FEAR that keep us in place nothing else. Most people are afraid to be all that they can be because they are afraid of failure. So let’s get that fear out of the way and team up with a few people in the neighborhood and watch strange thing happen. Then others will follow.
God Speed…….
Thank you.
Go for it Michael!!
Thanks for your encouragement, Joy.
I salute the find young player. However when you speak up they sneak up.
This is the NFL. It’s all about the money?
I think you’re right about his career. Black folks don’t stick together?.
If we do have White friend that get it. They never been discriminated, but they see the injustice. One has to do something. Michael, racism is real. I will share something with you later.
As always, thanks for your comment. I look forward to talking with you soon.
Saint Paul’s College, Bishop College, Daniel Payne College, Friendship College, Guadalupe College, Guadalupe College, Leland University, Mary Holmes College, Mississippi Industrial College, Western University, Prentiss Institute.
These are the HBCU’s that have closed and Morris Brown College lost it’s accreditation. I pray that Tuskegee University will not be added to this list of HBCU closures. Will the Tuskegee University Board of Trustees get their heads out of the sand and see what is going on with the Leadership, and why money is not coming in to Tuskegee U….the only thing President Johnson is doing is getting paid.
I hear you Michael, loud and clear. We Black folks, however, have a bad habit of always being able to build another steeple, but not save the institutions that truly work for us and develop our young people. My mother, a graduate of Morris Brown College in Atlanta, wept bitter tears over what happened to her school. I do not know how Tuskegee’s board is structured, but you may recall a while back when Morehouse College alumni discovered the misuse of school funds to purchase luxury items by Leroy Keith, a former president that left in 1994. These Morehouse alumni showed up in numbers and, if memory serves me correctly, seized control of the board. You might want to find out exactly how Tuskegee’s board is structured and what it can and cannot do and whether a board seizure is a viable option. All you need is a good strong group of alumni willing to show up and stand firm, along with a notification to the news media.
I know lots of Alums are ready. I am sure this didn’t start going down hill recently.
However the total embarrassment that has been brought to that campus since that Jack Ass, Johnson got there?
Somebody is trying to bring down Mother Tuskegee, and I have absolutely no respect for any Alum that hides out due to the fact that they don’t want to get involve.
Speak Up. Stick together and save Mother Tuskegee. When I met with Dr. Jack Ass and the staff attorney told me and my friend that Tuskegee has no protection for our/ your children as it relates to camera’s.
When the attorney for Tuskegee University tells you in a meeting with Dr. Johnson sitting right there, if a kid gets hurt on or near the campus they will be transported in the back of a van to the hospital. A van with no equipment to stabilize the situation.
Due to the fact they have no contract with an ambulance service, but for Football Games.
I almost cross over that table at the nappy head Beatrice.
When it’s someone you love. I will be there for you.
THIS INFORMATION SHARED BY MS SMITH SADDENED MY HEART AND SPIRIT.AS A CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER AND T U ALUMNI. THIS IS DEVASTATING NEWS CONCERNING THE HEALTH AND EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR TUSKEGEE STUDENTS IN NEED OF EMERGENCY HEALTH SERVICES IN NEED OF MEDICAL ATTENTION.WE CAN BE SUED FOR THIS TYPE OF INADEQUATE HEALTH CARE.FOR EXAMPLE,A STUDENT WITH ASTHMA WOULD NEED MEDICAL EQUIPEMENT ASSISTANT AND NOT PLACEMENT IN THE BACK OF AVAN DURING AN ASTHMATIC EPISODE. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF POOR HEALTH CARE INTERVENTION.
Hello Fellow Alumni , it pains me that our proud institution has become the subject of this much needed conversation. There are a number of things that need some serious attention paid. In recent years I feel our leadership focus seems to have shifted from that of previous administrations. We have always led in academics, research, engineering, and fundraising to name a few. We need to get back to what we do best. If that means a shift in leadership then let’s do it .I studied during Dr. Foster’s leadership and he was a true Leader,
Sad sad sad my my my
Jesus! Are things really that critical?
As a graduate of Tuskegee in 1970, with daughters who are graduates of Tuskegee University with excellent careers, I would like to express my dissatisfaction of fellow Alums that publicly display negativity of their “Mother”. I would never express negatives of my mother nor my family. How can we do such a thing. I think a majority of Alums have personal issues. I will say this, I love “Mother Tuskegee”. My legacy is expressed in my loyalty and the recruitment to our University. Don’t talk or spread negatives about my Mother. If you do we have major issues. Burn your Degree. You probably not supporting financially anyway. So keep your negativity to yourself when talking about “My Mother Tuskegee”.
Do we have problems? Yes, but name me one HBCU that is not having survival issues due to integration. Alums stay loyal to your mother like you were taught and with positive support we will conquer the present issues and rise to our appointed place, at the top!!!!
I agree with Mr. Smith.He said it well. I prefer not to air negatives about our Mother Tuskegee and I will continue to offer my services as well as be a paid member to show my support as an Alumni. We will conquer the present issues and rise to our appointed place at the top!!!. I am a graduate of Tuskegee in 1971.
Mr. Smith has offered an olive branch and I have offered one as well, but if we continue to take sides, in the face of an honest attempt to create positive dialogue, the two sides will never get together. It does not matter which side is right, the problems need to be resolved.
I agree with you both Robert and James, however the current leadership and financial plight of Mother Tuskegee has been damaged severely. Every major news outlet has been notified by Tuskegee University via a series of press release updated and all other infomation posted on the official website ,Tuskegee.edu in an effort to exercise damage control .I agree that we discuss it as alumni, we must tell the story facing us correctly .We all know that protecting the positive image of Mother Tuskegee, should be the subject that all of us who entered Lincoln Gates should and wil continue to hold with a degree of concern.However,please let us not loose focus on the real issue currently and how we arrive at this discussion , which us challenging us all who possess That Ole Skegee Spirit..Our plight begins and ends with those who we entrusted and unfortunately have allowed our plight to fester and obviously still continue to exercise procrastination in
making the best decisions for our beloved Mother Tuskegee. We all at some point have made bad decisions and in most instances we take responsibility and do our level best to mitigate through eliminating the risk of those bad decision recurring again.Our Tuskegee University Board Of Trustees appear to haveb failed in the minds of many to move foward hence creating what is obviously a crisis of instability ,fostering an image that Mother Tuskegee did not ask for.Our problems are now public and those responsible (Board Of Tustees)must step up or step down and allow corrective action .Had prior action been taken, we all would not be here airing our problems in public venues. Please let us promote washing out all that is not so clean and change the beddingb and make sure Mother Tuskegee will get back to sleeping well. We all have work to do in one accord to keep her Healthy.
Very well stated Frank H. Lee. Also kudos to you and your efforts in keeping all abreast of Alumni who have said their last goodbye to this environment. I hope one day that there will exist a photo of all alums in our database to continue the kind of work that you do to keep us informed. As we become season Alums it is sometimes difficult to recall all those we have met at Tuskegee that have moved on.
Hats off to you and what you do to keep us informed.
Robert C. Smith, is it possible to expand the alumni group to include input from minority voices in the alumni group on how to address the financial and accreditation issues facing Tuskegee University?
I don’t believe the gentleman in the picture is talking about anyone’s mother. Stay above the fray gentleman. He appears to be saying the people inhabiting the home of his elderly mother are not rendering the best treatment or providing the best care of his mother too! I believe he is pointing out or bringing attention to the “Hired or Appointed Caretakers” of his mother.
I accept his call for help. I accept his call to action as notice to his fellow brothers and sisters that someone is mistreating “Our Mother Tuskegee”. It maybe time for our brothers and sisters to come to the nursing home or mama’s house other than homecoming and check on “Our Mother Tuskegee”!
I’m sure there where students and Alums that appreciated your information about the academic status of our beloved Tuskegee University. My question to you, is how can I and other alumni assist you in doing something about it?
Mr. Turner, thanks for your inquiry. A group named Concerned Tuskegee Alumni for Change distributed leaflets at the football game. Their contact information on this leaflet is as follows:
P. O. Box 90164
Atlanta, GA 303364
Concendtualumniforchange@gmail.com
Again, thanks for your inquiry.
What is the protocol for being left on academic probation for the additional year? How do we help?
Mr. Jordan. Usually, you get two years to fix the problem. If you can not SACS takes more punitive actions. See my response below to Mr. Maurice Turner for information on how to get involved.
When did the problems start?
The first warning notice was issued in April 2015. I wrote about it then. If you follow the links at the bottom of this story it will lead you back to the beginning story I wrote on this situation. Thanks for your question.
Trimble is doing the right thing even though I hate that it had come to this. A warning and a probation from SACS is the first step toward a school losing its accredidation, if that university does not take the necessary steps to correct its problems. And make no mistake about this, people fought long and hard to have Historically Black Colleges and Univerisities to be examined and counted among all of the institutions of higher learning in the American southeast. Spelman College’s former president Florence Matilda Read was one of those individuals who fought long and hard to get HBCUs the recognition they deserved from SACS. As someone who has actually participated in a college’s preparation for a SACS review, I know that a warning from SACS should be addressed ASAP; and that warning can actually help a school figure out what it needs to do to rectify its problems. FYI: The Georgia Institute of Technology (bka “Georgia Tech”) was given a warning by SACS less than 15 years ago, so it isn’t just HBCUs who run into problems. I hope and pray that Tuskegee will respond in the manner in which its rich legacy dictates. Forget about the rhetoric and the public perception and focus on rectifying the school’s problems–the students at Tuskegee deserve no less.
Thank your for your comments. As your experience has taught, SACS do not play. Also, there is no shame in the public knowing about the warning notice. The shame is having too much pride to take the necessary steps to successfully navigate yourself off the warning notice status.
When was the last time you said something GOOD about Mother Tuskegee?
Me, thank you for your question. The links below are a few. Regrettably, while the articles you reference as not saying anything good about Tuskegee were each read by over 20,000 people, less than 500 people combined read the three articles I have attached as answer to your question. Perhaps, you were one of the 5oo people who read these three good things I have written about Tuskegee.
Also, I dedicated a great deal of positive space to Tuskegee University in my book Justice in the Round: Essays on the American Jury System (Cascade Publishing House, 2015).
https://haroldmichaelharvey.com/2016/03/28/tuskegee-turning-corner-woes/
https://haroldmichaelharvey.com/2015/02/25/tuskegee-honored-at-hall-of-fame/
https://haroldmichaelharvey.com/2016/07/04/day-fan-thought-willie-mays/
If you have not read these four items, I recommend them to you.
Truth is, people would rather villify Kaepernick’s method of protest to divert attention from his message because it makes them uncomfortable. I find it hilariously funny, yet sad at the same time, how quickly people are to dismiss or minimize our experiences with inequalities economically and socially. You can’t rationalize or intellectualize these injustices away. And what his “patriotic” fail to understand is….everything they are saying and doing to stifle, stop and silence Kaepernick is only reinforcing to the world that the words of the Star Spangled Banner and the Constitution are hollow and only apply to some. #VeteransForKaepernick
Very well stated!
I respect both Carl Trimble and Harold Michael Harvey opinions on the problems at our dear alma mater. I would like to know if either has submmited any solutions to sacs as the institution (http://www.tuskegee.edu/Articles/tuskegee_university_maintains_accreditation_sacscoc_warning_extended.aspx) has that will will solve the problem. Let us all seek to offer solutions rather than pointing out problems.
Mr. Davis, thank you for your comment.
First, how can one offer solutions without acknowledging or pointing out the problems?
Second, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools does not receive input from the public. There job is to accredit institutions. When they find areas of concern they ask for additional information. Ii is the role of the university to offer those solutions to SACS.
Moreover, I have been in private conversations with certain Trustee members and have shared possible solutions. I have not discussed the nature of those solutions in my writings in order to facilitate the unbiased discussion of those ideas inside the board.
Also, I believe our blog post on “Who Runs Tuskegee” had an impact in the board removing Chuck Williams as chair. Williams ultimately left the board after he was demoted. Williams day to day meddling in the administrative affairs of the university was one of the problems of concern to SACS.
It has been my experience that a discussion of solutions without a discussion on why the solution should be implemented is desolutory.
There are plenty of good things about Tuskegee University. I personally think “outsider” have much more respect for Our University. The First Lady of this United States of America thought it was worth her efforts to visit and convey encouraging words to our Staff and graduates, not to mention other well known figure heads. Remember we are what we “speak”. Speak positive, positive things will occur; speak negative, negative things will prevail. The power of the mouth and the words spoken can birth reality. Even when times are bad, speaking prosperity, growth, increase, these spoken words will move in that direction. Remember we are what we speak. Let’s spread “positive vides” as we conquer these negative issues affecting our University. AllweDoisWin at Tuskegee University.
Thank you for your comment. I welcome you to submit an article to this blog shedding whatever positive light you want on Tuskegee University. Kindly email your article to hmharvey@haroldmichaelharvey.com. Enclose any photograph that you wish to be included with your article.
Also, note when some alumni go to extoridanay lengths to bring positive light to the university, those efforts are shunned and not acknowledged by the university.
For instance, in 2013, I worked hard to get William Clarence Matthews inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame. Matthews as you may know, not only played baseball at Tuskegee in the early 1890s, but also assisted in organizing the football team at Tuskegee. There has never been any mentioned of this positive contribution on the Tuskegee website, no acknowledgement from the University or the board of trustees. Perhaps, this positive light on Tuskegee can not be seen because it was not delivered, as you put it, by the First Lady of the United States or other well known figure heads. However, it amazes me how all of the articles pointing out the not so good from an unknown figure head, gets the attention and stirs the emotion of the alumni.
In keeping with the theme of your epistle, when we acknowledge, the positive light contributed from minor sources, it leads to an expansion of that light. Embrace the positive no matter the source and more positive experiences will grow from the appreciation given to what appears to be a little light shinning to illuminate Tuskegee University.
In short, do what you challenge me to do.
Your point is well taken and I commit to do what I say. I respect your talents and abilities in communication. Let see more of the positive side toward Our University. Just because someone (Staff) dropped the request does not mean you can’t revisit that request you initiated. If you believe in it, try again. Keep in mind that failure does not reflect the entire University. Don’t take things perpetual, changes are a necessity to success. Stay open and positive.
Now you are putting the onerous on me. I am person who with love and pride for my university went to great expense to travel to Lubbock, Texas to represent Tuskegee University. No one asked me to do it. I did it out of love for Tuskegee. Who even remembers William Clarence Matthews? He has long been forgotten in our history.
After doing the research and gaining this honor for Matthews and Tuskegee two persons in leadership positions thought very little of the effort.
Do you not think that in your position as a new leader in the Tuskegee community, that you should suggest to them, that they should revisit this issue. Moreover, the staffers who dropped the ball on this situation are the university president and the Director of Athletics. Perhaps, your conversation on not taking things perpetual, that changes are a necessity to success, should be had with Johnson and Campbell.
I would welcome an opportunity to sit down with them and you to discuss this matter. Set it up and I will be there. But keep in mind, this Matthews matter is a minor matter. If the meeting is held, everything is on the table, Matthews, SACS, the financial aid audit, the lack of a financial statement since 2011, the dorms, the Kellogg management contract, etc, etc, etc.
Thank you brother for sharing this vital piece of info. Without TU, I would not be where I am nor who I am. I love TU. I love all HBCU’s beause we are a collection of colleges and universities that understand and know our people. I see HBCU’s as sibling institutions. We’re brothers and sisters. Whether or not this brother stood at the entrance with this sign does not change the truth. Our mother university is in trouble. Instead of debating how this brother chose to bring awareness to the issue, let’s discuss how we can take care of our mother TU and other HBCU’s facing these same challenges. And YES, HBCU’s are just as relevant now as they were in our grandparents days. We are slowing reversing back to separate, but not quite equal. Wake up!
I must admit my ignorance. I have never heard of good deals of William Clarence Matthews but I will educate myself on his accomplishments. When ever we can recognize our own we should and I support that. Yes we had Lionel, Tom and others but keep the recognition of accomplishments to continue. It didn’t stop with Booker T. Washington or George Washington Carver, that was only the start of the many talents that have been on the yard.
Help educate me on Mr. Matthews, I welcome your resources.
Here is some information on Attorney William Clarence Matthews and a good bit of positive light on Tuskegee University. Needless to say, very few people bothered to read this story and only one person added a comment. I hope you will share this story with your connections because it sheds a lot of light on what Tuskegee University means not only to her alumni, but to our entire community.: https://haroldmichaelharvey.com/2015/02/25/tuskegee-honored-at-hall-of-fame/
Michael thanks for those facts regarding our Athletic program and the the piece on Attorney William Clarence Matthews. I did Google and I totally support you on the recognition that is long over due regarding his accomplishments.
You are welcome. Let me know if I can assist in this recognition. I would be honored to participate. Also, here is a comment I just posted to a thread on Facebook that is discussing this article. In it you will see that I have offered an olive branch. In the spirit of this comment, I would like to see you get together with the leadership of the group (I am not a member of this group) “Concerned Tuskegee Alumni for Change and see if the two sides can come together.
Here is my Facebook comment:
Also, there is a good discussion taking place on the blog where this article is posted. Please go by and read the comments and join the discussion over there too, If you so desire. If those who agree with Trimble and those who disagree with him were to come together, they could solve the problems at Tuskegee, whether you define the problem as a lack of money or a lack of administrative commitment. We are the sons and daughters of Booker T. Washington and we were educated to solve problems like these for other people. Surely, we can solve this problem when we find it on our front door.We can not solve it by taking sides with our fellow alumni. We have to stop pointing fingers at fellow alumni and start directing our join attention to identifying the problems and coming up with solutions without castigating anyone of us for the side that we started out on. Come together, right now!
Mother Tuskegee’s problem is not just SACS…If the faculty and staff senate would just voice the truth, I really think we would have a much better understanding. Mother Tuskegee Is Bleeding And Bleeding Profusely. Our Trustees Must Step Up Immediately And Take Corrective Action.Carl’s method might offend some, however prior trustee decisions and corrective action would have been considered , Carl Trimble would not be waving the banner of informing us.Many of us alumni looking from afar have ignored the real challenge and are given the impression that all is well at Mother Tuskegee. I am suggesting the idea of you talking to a student,staff or faculty member, or even a trustee, but in many cases,trustees can’t tell you anything.Ask them if you really want to be informed.I see them frequently and the response is alarming. Please don’t kill the messenger, but listen to the message and seek the facts and form your own opinion.I have and it is more than alarming.We can not solve Mother Tuskegee’s problem here on social media sites.Certainly, it is about time we unite and work on unified solutions, not tomorrow but immediately.Alumni Clubs should begin this process ASAP.
There you have it, a call to get all voices weighing in on the problems at Tuskegee from Frank H. Lee.
I think the fact that we are talking to each other now instead of at each other, we are getting somewhere. I hope you all keep the conversation going. You can do it here. I will moderate. Just keep it clean and respectfully of each others opinions. There is no doubt in my mind that both sides love Tuskegee. Together we can help her through this crisis.
Thanks for providing the venue to showcase the dialogue all for the continuing support of “Mother Tuskegee”.
You are welcome. Please keep the conversation going. It may be a good idea to invite administrators to participate as listeners if nothing else.Although they are welcome to comment. I pledge to protect everyone who offers a comment.i hold no ill well against anyone who have made angry comments to me in the past. I know they did it out of love for the university. Let the conversation begin. Just keep in mind what is in the best interest of TU.
Now that we have a conversation started, speak up. If anyone has contact information for Richie and Joyner get them involved in this conversation. Also Keenan and his brothers.We need people at the table who take our ideas and make something miraculous happen.All for one and one for all!
Wow! Carl has started something. If there was an effective way to communicate with the University and the TUBOT acts like this would not be needed. When questions are not answered and act are taken that appear to be contrary to best practices you do what you have to do. No one wants to expose Tuskegee’s problems but Leadership at all levels have failed to answer or have a dialog about the problems. I have been accused of being bias, which I am, but there are real problems that have to be addressed including management.
Carl has been aggressive and unless thing change he should as we all should let his/our conscious be his/our guide. People will continue to react to what he does and maybe some good will come out of it. No action is unacceptable. The silence of Alumni is deafening. Maybe this will cause Alumni to wake up and at least look into the matter. If you don’t like his actions get rid of his issues. Some one communicate with him.
Point well taken.
Mr. Harvey,
I live in the Dallas area (Go Cowboys!) and my knowledge of these issues relating to TU is from what I gather from other alums in the area, although, I’ve been following your articles on TU and other issues/topics. I’m curious do you know where TNAA stands on these issues? Sometime change need to be effected from the top. We elect them to represent us fairly and unbiasedly; but it seems to me that they are not doing so; very disappointing. I also believe that Tuskegee does not have a very strong board even though one-third of them are graduates of the school (good or bad???). When things were going bad at Howard University a couple of years ago, a board member spoke out on the situation which later lead to changes.
We need better trustees who have influential power to help the school generate money and of course we, the alumni must step up our game. I just witness my other Alma Mater, SMU capital campaign generate over 1.2 billion.
Furthermore, the faculty senate is a strong voice of any university; any ideal why TU faculty/senate has not issue a vote of the confident level in president and/or board? It is apparent to me if things are that bad, they should speak out.
With TNAA, our board of trustee representatives and the alumni, we should be able to move mountains!
I did contact the Concern Alumni group for additional information.
Mr. PerryE, I think TNAA is taking a wait and see approach. This approach has led minority voices to seek other avenues to have their ideas heard on the long term survival of the university. I understand your assessment of the Board of Trustees. In past years, the Board was an assortment of who’s who in the world of high finance. I think those days are gone and they probably left us because the student body in previous years pushed for a more independent agenda from the Board. So the big boys left and took their money with them. With respect to the Senate Faculty, I understand, however, I have no way to prove this, that the President bullies the faculty. He tells them, I am told, that he is the smartest person on campus. They are quite frankly afraid for their jobs.
I believe in a nutshell this is why we are where we are. The traditional institutions of governance either cannot or is unwilling to require more from the Board of Trustees and the Administration. Therefore, independent alumni are the change they seek.
That is embarrassing to hold the funds from the University by a Staff employee. That is not “good business practices” and should be handled immediately. I must say this is not my first encounter with staff not processing checks made payable to Tuskegee University timely. I support Dr. Harrington’s concern because as the Treasurer of TNAA I have been waiting on the verification of the funds that were collected at the Parade of Clubs.
Tuskegee Tuskegee Tuskegee let’s handle our job functions like it is yours personally. I am also a concern eminent associate of Tuskegee University.
It is my understanding that the current problem is not caused by employees not handling the duties of their job, rather it is due to the fact that those responsible for processing donations were fired last month as part of the reduction in force instituted by President Brian Johnson. This raises a question in my mind whether the RIF was well planned. Surely if there is a need to reduce staff, steps must be taken to ensure that essential personnel is available to prosecute the university’s business. As critical as funding is at the university, this problem should not have lasted a full eight-hour shift before the administration had a plan in place to process donations made by alumni to the university. Dr. Johnson’s explanation that he does not deposit checks, although true, is unacceptable. It is his job to manage the day to day operations at the university. He has to fix this immediately. Failure to deposit donations further erodes the confidence of the public in making financial contributions to Tuskegee University. This lapse points out the university’s problem with accountability for the funds received by it. If you are correct and the problem is incompetent staff, then why has Dr. Johnson not taken corrective action. We know for a fact that he is not shy about firing employees. Whatever the problem, it needs to be remedied post haste.
Have the storm clouds already gathered on the horizon.
The Eminent Associates have elected to withhold funds to Tuskegee University. If the administration has not been financially transparent, it’s likely time to shake up senior administrative management and the trustee board. If this trend is on the horizon in future years a decline in major old and new donor support will occur. And, if the issues are cultural and systemic it may take years to fix.
Tuskegee University is led by the president as CEO; the top administrator manages the day-to-day operation, works with the faculty and staff, proposes policy and long-term direction, serve as quasi-fiscal steward, and select, retain and replace the faculty and staff. CEO governance is weak, especially if little regulatory authority exists which make discussions unwieldy and provocative, opening claims of a failure to be transparent Have the storm clouds already gathered on the horizon.. CEO’s can be a management nightmare.
To protect the integrity of governance at an institution, Accrediting Agencies and the U.S. Department of Education look at how campus communities interact and whether these relationships foster fair, respectful treatment and balanced governance, see the SACS Tuskegee University’s Warning Report, as well as the Federal Student Aid, Heightened Cash Monitoring Report. Again, have the storm clouds already gathered on the horizon.
The storm clouds may very well have gathered on the horizon and it does not yet appear that the storm is close to passing over.
Continue to keep the pressure on until this situation is fixed so that this prestigious university will not be destroyed.
Mr. Holman, thank you for your encouragement. There is much at stake. Tuskegee alumni tend to think that Tuskegee University belongs to them alone, when in fact, this prestigious university belongs to our entire community. We all have a stake in its continued survival.
Very well put Harold Michael Harvey! However, I do not particularly care for what counts as traditional “Black leadership.” Part of the problem and part of the reason our communities and all of these dialogues are stymied is due to the fact that while individuals like Sharpton and Jackson have, at one time, helped the Black community, they no longer have much in common with the Black people they allegedly served. The Black women who started the Black Lives Matter movement have also had to fight for any kind of respect. You cannot have a creative and productive dialogue without talking to and including over half of one’s community. Whoever sits down at the table for a discussion with and about any of these candidates and the policies they promote needs to represent us (You already read my previous blog, so you know what I mean.) I am sorry, but I am not a Jesse Jackson fan and he has zero credibility amongst most of the young Black people with whom I come into contact. One of the problems with Black leadership is that it is (and has remained) overwhelmingly male, overwhelmingly clergy and/or politician, and overwhelmingly unwilling to share its leadership positions and cultivate younger leaders with fresh ideas. If we don’t curb their addiction to the privileges and perks of public leadership, it’s not going to matter too much who we’re having a dialogue with. We will keep getting more of the same. Peace. A really great piece.
I heard you loud and clear. I only offered up some establishment names. The idea is that those leaders have closed off any thought of communication to the other candidates and it is time that those I named and others think beyond a sense of blind loyalty to a known brand. Peace, my Sister.
An excellent piece and an excellent point Michael! Of course, I, like any other woman, am already braced for the worst form of overt sexism and misogyny should Clinton or Stein make it to the White House. And I say “overt” because sexism never dies nor disappears. It remains a daily fact of life. And as a brilliant, young, black female theologian and preacher named Ashlyn Strozier brilliantly noted at one of our sessions on Sandra Bland said that, “Hillary Clinton, a Congresswoman with long political connections and deep pockets was defeated by a Junior Senator from Ilinois back in 2008 for the Democratic nomination for President.” She noted that Black women were “the margin of a margin.” Case closed. Let the crazy begin.
As always, your point is on point.
What I would like to write in response to this blog has no business being placed on the internet for public consumption. I can only say that the treading of water and reluctance to move by trustees at Tuskegee Institute is not a problem endured solely by Tuskegee. I literally lost my mind in an office once and challenged a pair of professors at an institution that I will not name (for now), and asked them how did they manage to talk about how much influence they had at the university, yet somehow be unable to identify what were severe problems that directly affected their department and its students. I left this university after months of breaking out in hives during my sleep over the lethargy and the unwillingness to take-the-bull-by-the-horns and make changes. At least you are not taking this mess lying down and remaining passive. But let me say this: Most Black academics and alums of HBCUs worry about embarrassing their alma maters and I completely understand it! But you might have to go after the trustees in a manner you had not planned. Here’s why, and I am drawing from my own experiences here: While a grad student at a particular university, I noticed that instead of listening to some simple recommendations that myself and several students came up with, the university ignored everyone’s complaints and ended up part of the subject matter of an unflattering article in the “Chronicle of Higher Education” about HBCUs that interfered with student newspapers coverage of college and university problems. Almost all members of American academe read the “Chronical of Higher Education” (hint, hint) and what was a simple problem that could have been handled on the campus became a public problem to everyone in academe. I found out how widespread the Chronicle’s readership was when a lady at the Atlanta History Center read a letter I wrote (unrelated to the problem with this school) and emailed me to tell me how much she enjoyed reading my letter. Stay strong brother!
I have completed a bit more research on my own.
I must acknowledge that I have more questions than answers.
I admit again that I have been more financially supportive than physically involved and active. Many alumni believe if you are not an Eminent Associate you can not speak on matters regarding the university. A recent call from the university and plea from TNAA will go unanswered until there is appropriate accountability and new leadership at the university.
I believe I am not alone in stating the university will not even receive $5 from me until they secure new leadership.
This all is extremely disturbing. Is there no man or woman on this intra-appointing board with an ounce of integrity? Who represents the alumni contingency on the board? I am more disturbed by alumni who believe that the public and private antics of Johnson should be protected to protect
Tuskegee University!
This group can not discontinue moving forward.
Knowledge is power.
Several board members scoffed at the Concerned Alumni group efforts telling them, that in spite of the group’s protest, donations to the university are up.
Regardless of the information “Leaked”
Donald Trump is a disaster and I know the Clintons aren’t Saints.
Donald Trump will just rob the USA legally and I guess either way it’s wrong.
SMH……..
There were no leaks this morning. He stated that there will be leaks in the next 10 weeks involving a number of subjects, not all of which are specifically related to the USA. Also, he stated that there is a leak forthcoming that will have a significant effect on the US presidential election. He denied that this leak will be damaging to Hillary Clinton.
Marybeth Gasman interview with John S. Wilson, the executive director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities which was published in the Chronicle of Higher Education, Innovations: Insights and Commentary on Higher Education, July 17, 2012.
Wilson closed the interview with an interesting perspective. He noted, “We know HBCU’s have value and this is the ideal time to demonstrate that value. The opportunity to choose new leadership can be good and hopeful. The current challenges facing many HBCU’s can often be traced to decades of decisions made or not made by HBCU boards. The question is: Do today’s trustees have what it takes to imagine, sift, and select leadership for a necessarily new future? Boards with the right answer to that question have a golden opportunity to set a new trajectory for their HBCU, depending upon whom they choose as presidents. The spotlight is on them.”
Earlier in the interview Marybeth Gasman asked Wilson, whether HBCU alumni are right—was there a crisis in HBCU presidential leadership? He replied, “To some degree there is a crisis—some institutions are facing serious challenges that have either been simmering or ignored for years, and it’s only in the last few months or in the past year that either the boards or the presidents themselves elected to ‘make a move.’ So for some it is a crisis. However, it is also a challenge to leadership and an opportunity for leadership.” Wilson noted that “It’s a mistake to focus only on the office of the president … a challenge to and an opportunity for the HBCU trustees. They have the challenge of finding solid presidents.” Wilson added “It’s hard for trustees who are not sufficiently familiar with the requirements and levers of transformation in higher education to find good leadership.” College and university trustees play a vital role in any institution and one of their most important jobs is selecting a competent, energetic, and innovative president. Wilson suggests that HBCU trustees must have a “knowledge base, a skill base, and a resource base. They must give or be able to get others to give financial and other resources to the institution.”
Interesting Commentary
First, I unfortunately was not there on yesterday. I do not understand why the group allowed such restrictions of the chairman to be honored. I am sure he did not share any top secrets with the Concerned Alumni. Why was the chairman allowed to set the rules for the game, operate as a player and referee? My frat told me Page even packed up his ball (his papers and iPad) and threaten to leave a one point.
Second, I now believe we have a much greater problem than the remedial academic Brian Johnson. My frat was in attendance. My frat described John Page as an arrogant, hyper-sensitive, paranoid lady! He stated that the panel was delivered to him as humble little non-aggressive almost passive and amenable cheerleaders. He stated he had a problem with having a panel. Though the panel only asked or offered soft-ball boxed questions to help him look good and competent.
My frat said Page continued to complain about the format. Frat said he continued to insist on knowing the name of each person in the room (not just the panel) though he had already shook hands and greeted everybody in the room (you have got to love the politicians). Page somehow became engulfed in a standoff with another attorney on the panel. Page (the Chairman of Tuskegee University’s Board of Trustees) then tells the panelist who is an attorney something like “you can roll your eyes all you want, I don’t care”! What the hell! What type of professional decorum was he operating under? This must be his MO! Why would any faculty or staff member trust someone who behaved publicly just like Brian Johnson. I know I wouldn’t. No wonder Page protects this imbecile. Page recognizes so much of his own behavior, insecurities, narcissism, hyper-sensitivity and paranoia is reflected in Johnson. My frat said he left the group with the residuals of deep concern and unsettled thoughts. Frat said he never would have thought he was witnessing the presentation of a seasoned attorney seated as the chair of one of the world’s most prestigious boards, bar-none. My friend said Page looked more like a neophyte domestic defending one of his gang members on rival turf in the rough streets a New York borough.
Frat said he turned to the mild mannered but firm moderator and tells her to stop interrupting him as she sat quietly and nodded with a look of what he considered concern and dismay. Frat said the moderator allowed Page to ramble continuously off-subject and used her energy to disengage the panelist in direct fire on Page. My friend’s wife said Page was constantly saying “I know I’m off subject”, “I’m trying to answer your question”, “I forgot your question” and “Did I answer your question”? I hope the moderator was using the approach that moderators have been using with Trump. Allowing Page/Trump the opportunity to allow them and their own words to dig their own ditch! Somehow I think this guy thought he was going to come and deliver his classic “Get On Board Little Children” speech to this group.
The story goes, one of the panelist asked why should alumni trust the board and he then is set completely off. A panelist asked what if you are wrong?
Here is where frat said things get a bit, no really, really strange and the idea that Page suffers from paranoia really is confirmed with the entire audience.
My frat said Page then randomly redirected his attention to an alumni taking notes on his phone and accused him of video taping in front of everyone. The man states he is taking notes and not filming or recording. The crowd defends the guy and raise eyebrows on Page’s erratic behavior. At this point in the story I am sure my frat is exaggerating a bit! I speak with a friend of my wife’s and she confirms this is fact! She added that Page packs up his bags and items to leave before the moderator had to offer an unwarranted apology to keep him and his hypersensitive feelings in the room.
John Page is a Penn University Law graduate. My frat said after his erratic behavior, profuse sweating and juvenile antics he then wants to have a classic Kumba Yah/We Shall Overcome moment with the naive black folks and pray in efforts to redeem himself.
This is all getting old. Every time someone behaves poorly in public or are called to task for the responsibilities under their governance or purview, public prayer is used to coat or mask delivering the facts. Johnson was seen praying last week publicly with the piperettes. Was Johnson praying we won, that no one was hurt or that he and Page didn’t lose their positions?
Frat said Page claimed almost all HBCUs were on some type of academic warning. That may be an acceptable expectation for the chairman of mediocre colleges and universities. Mediocracy is not expected, tolerated or acceptable at Tuskegee University. I doubt and do not believe powerhouses that are of the same caliber the Spelman, Howard, Hampton or Morehouse are facing the same issues with academics not finances.
I regret the group did not push for the town hall format, so my frat could have drilled down on Page’s head as to why the CFOs, VPs, Comptrollers, Deans, Donors (e.g., Blakely, Dickerson, Dean Spears, Dean Bramwell, Dean Burge) jumped off the sinking Johnson-Page Titanic. The manner in which Johnson treated the Smith and Washington-Douglass families was so disrespectful. Page almost made the same mistake in not allowing the families an opportunity to be heard. We would have torn the top off of these clowns (Johnson and Page’s) three rings circus.
Johnson and Page should resign immediately. Neither is prepared for the heavy lifting required to be in leadership at Tuskegee University.
The TNAA and its puppets are not going to do the heavy lifting here. We need a more aggressive group than these committed caring mature alumni. While I respect this group they are working to hard to not embarrass the university or expose members of the board and certain alumni.
Who will step forward? Alumni, alumni board members and supporters must come together and move forward now and save Mother Tuskegee.
Elder board members:
FELKER WARD, Pebblin Warren, FLOYD GRIFFIN
We need your leadership now!
Are you going to let the ship sink on your watch or trust these two-bit hustlers?
IF WE FAIL …. The responsibility lay in your laps!
Dr. Bradford, I respect your opinion and appreciate your comment. However, I do not like to approve comments that include name calling towards personalities. There are a couple of passages where I think you came close to the line.Please tone down the name calling in future comments. Also, there was three law school graduates in the meeting on yesterday. Two of whom are 1973 graduates of Tuskegee Institute. I assure you Attorney Page will not snooker either Mr. Hunter or myself. I am extremely offended that Page, a non-Tuskegeean, would specifically ask to have me barred from attending a meeting called by concerned members of my alma mater.
That being said, there are a number of items in your comment that I do not think accurately reflects what I observed in yesterday’s meeting. I am not sure who your Frat is that attended this meeting, but I do not agree that the following events occurred:
I did not hear the chairman use any profane language. He spoke the King’s English and he spoke it extremely well. Neither did I see Mr. Page pack up his bag and threaten to leave the meeting.Nor did I observe the following scene transpire that you said you were told took place:”Page (the Chairman of Tuskegee University’s Board of Trustees) then tells the panelist who is an attorney something like “you can roll your eyes all you want, I don’t care”! What the hell!”
This did not happen.
I have no problem with your Frats’ interpretation of what he observed, but I have to set the record straight when I see inaccuracies about the event.
While I disagree with Mr. Pages’ approach to the problems confronting Tuskegee University, I have to be fair with him and accurately report what took place in this meeting.
When will the faculty and students organize and speak up and out?
These two groups could make the greatest impact why are they silent?
Things must be okay and not as bad as we think. Maybe we should trust these guys. They somehow made it to these coveted positions, credentials or not.
You pose several good questions. The problem with trusting this crew without verifying is that when you check behind the rosy picture they paint, the facts do not add up.
I was in attendance at the meeting yesterday. Bradford is correct. The chairman did challenge the gentleman sitting to his right and said something about not caring if the man rolled his eyes. I don’t recall if he was a lawyer. Yes, it was unprofessional. I think Bradfield’s quote ended after that. I gather Bradfield is asking the question “what the hell?” to himself.
My opinion, the chairman came in on the defense attacking everyone. He attacked 2 panelist, the moderator and a member of the audience who was just observing. None of these people did or said anything disrespectful to him at all. They allowed him to basically have a tanrum on his own alone, just sat and watched and did not entertain him. I was there to determine if I should support this group or if they were jumping the gun on the current president and the board. I too left with the feeling that the chairman came only to reprimand them and unprepared to objectively listen to the woes and concerns of alums. As a younger alum I would rather be a member of the Concerned Alumni group than TNAA. I want to join this group but I am not sure they are as assertive and aggressive enough. TNAA’s and ATAC’s former presidents are basically the reason this group had to be formed. There was a legitimate and legal vote of no confidence taken by ATAC. The current president of ATAC should resign because she impeached herself in the last meeting. I lost all respect for her in that meeting. I nor anyone I am associated with would ever serve in an organization where she serves as the president. Leadership requires character, honesty and integrity. She demonstrated in the last meeting she possesed none.
Concerned Alumni were just a little too accommodating to a 5 year veteran of the current board who now serves a chair for me. We don’t have time to sit and wait. I agree with the chairman. We need a new board and I would go even further to say a new president, board and chairman of the board.
Perhaps, it is time to organize a more aggressive group. As Gandhi says, “Be the change you want to see.” I’m sure if you organized a more aggressive group, it will be filled with more aggressive alumni. The goal is to strength the university. As former Tuskegee Institute history professor W. J. Fluker often said, “By all available means.”
Call your meeting and I will be there.
John Page, TU Board Chairman, emphasized on several and numerous occasions throughout the meeting with the Concern TU Alumni on October 8, 2016 that the problems with Tuskegee University were systemic and structural. It is easy to say that there are systemic and structural problems.
However, until Chairman Page and/or the entire Board of Trustees specifically identify what they mean, it is going to continue to be difficult for alumni and stakeholders to understand what and how these systematic and structure problems militate against Tuskegee University’s “success” and that the problems need urgently to be addressed across the university community.
Systemic and structural reflection, not reflexive reaction, is fundamental to short and long-term improvement. The Board of Trustees, President, Administrators, Faculty and Staff, Students, Alumni and Stakeholders must first ask the right questions relative to “Rethinking the Purpose of the institution.”
As a quasi-private supported institution it is high time for competent, stable leadership to become self-evident in order to lend credibility to this institution of “higher education.” The Board of Trustees as usual is equivocating on most matters and therefore lacks backbone and strength of purpose.
The Trustees need to strengthen the integrity of the university and get on with it. Consummated administrators make hard and difficult decisions for the good of the organization. The university presidency is increasingly a place of difficult abode. Is it high time that the current president decides to step down?
Alumni and stakeholders need vision, ideas, constructive values, a servant attitude, sensitivity, high character and honor in persons selected and serving as Trustees and as our President. However, now, is the time to move forward with diligence, strength of purpose and highest priority to settle these unidentified systemic and structural problems which exist at Tuskegee University.
Whatever ATAC, TNAA, and silent alumni who are sitting waiting for someone to save them from this failed president and poorly run board at the will of this unconcerned chairman gets; is what they deserve! Why is it so hard to take a vote on the president and the chairman for that matter? Are there not any real men or women on the board with a backbone. ATAC and every alumni club needs to take a vote of no confidence in the president and the chairman of the board of trustees while asking for their resignation immediately. The chairman has only one vote. Just like he lead the coup to overthrow Williams last year. Overthrow him and save this university.
Send them both packing together since they care so much for each other. Why is the chairman protecting Brian Johnson with his life? What does Johnson know or have on John Page? He has got to know this is coming to a head. Either he gets rid of Brian L. Johnson or we get rid of him and Johnson together.
Yes,the white woman told the Truth/that why NOI accepted her presence(Plain simple truth regardless of race,creed,color(The God we pray to have a white mother;this is public knowledge since 1931-35 to 2016/:/ Blame is only on Satanic White Leadership who continue to promote “Free Labor” Exploitation on the earth ///The Final Call have a end and it call “Farrakhan”!!!!
Michael, I love Steen Miles. We met at the Five Points MARTA Station and she accidentally left her pocketbook in a sitting area after the train pulled off as we were both heading toward the airport. A lovely woman, a great spirit and a true activist.
Joy, Steen Miles is a wonderful person. Although, I have known her by public reputation for many years, we actually met a few years ago online and agreed to meetup for lunch to exchange autograph copies of our books. We had a delightful lunch and have remained friends. I was devastated when I learned of her health challenge. I hope this article will encourage others to help her manage the cost of the out of pocket expenses her medical treatment requires.
Sign Petition: https://www.change.org/p/vera-little-call-to-action-tuskegee-university-state-of-emergency-loss-of-accreditation?recruiter=622167266&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=share_email_responsive
“The winds of change are blowing across America and American constitutional governance, as we have come to know it over the course of the past 227 years, now in the hands of right wing patriots and grand wizards, is gone with the wind.”
Was following your reasoning and words until hit this last paragraph. It left one confused as to what you meant in this paragraph. Some how it seems to try to tie up the article in a paragraph but appears a jumble of thoughts. Can you clarify what you meant?
I intended to say that the new government will be filled with mostly men who will render new interpretations to the constitution and the perspective we have had of say, freedom of speech, will take on a different meaning. I could be wrong, but this is what I see coming down the pike. I hope this clarifies the conclusion of this piece. If not, please engage me and we will see if we can find a way to better express my conclusion.
[…] Trump Pitches White Underclass […]
There are plenty of unknown Oreo’s out there that will soon come out of hiding to be a player to serve in the
Trump Administration…
This is the last gasp of the Western world as they know it Michael. If you read Patrick J. Buchanan’s book “Death of the West” which was published in 2002 you will understand that for Whites/Europeans, some of their fears are quite real. By 2050 only one-tenth of the world’s population will be categorized as White and it will be one of the oldest populations on this planet. In addition, whites and Europeans also have one of the lowest birthrates on this planet all the while populations of color have the highest. The Black, Brown, and Beige and Yellow world is on the upswing. The exit of the UK from the European Union was the first symptom of its fear that African, Asian, and Middle Eastern populations will overtake them. And African, Asian, and Middle Eastern populations are much younger than the populations of Europe. For example, the average age of a Nigerian right now is 18-years-old. It is anybody’s guess what Trump may do. It is also anybody’s guess whether all he wanted to do can be done. James Baldwin said it in the early 1960s, “The world is not white.” Sadly, some individuals are understanding that reality all too well. And if Black Americans intend to function in the new world that is coming, then we should be about the business of listening to other communities of color within our borders and those of other nations.
Again Michael, Your knowledge of history is amazing. Our people went through so much discrimination and it continues today.
Has anything really change or we are going backwards?
To go back in time is impossible. Our president was black, our mayor was black, we have more blacks going to college male and female. I am from Macon and I just graduated. Times has change but their are some things that still lives.
What pisses me the hell off is Black Folk not sticking together. We are still slaves because we choose not to take on the system.
We are still ” Yes Master I Know Who Did It”and think they will get a “Dat A Boy.”
Makes my stomach sick.
I agree HBCU’s are needed. However “we”as Black People make it so obvious that we don’t know how to steal the way the White Folks do.
We have to stop hiring cousin Boo Boo
and giving him a job, or feeling that you’re entitled to a salary that’s over the top.
We graduate and don’t give back as Alums!
We will go party though.
Charles Barkley, recently give money to a few HBCU’s but what about all those other famous black-folk? Actors, Sports Stars, and so on.
Certainly alumni and other meaningful people in the Black community have to give more to these schools, but this does not lessen the responsibility of the federal government to ensure these schools which were born out of the government’s failure to provide education to her former enslaved population. HBCUs are part of the reparation program that this country should never be allied to abandon.
Congratulations
Thank you.
Great article. But you must relay to the spirit of Killens not to worry about Pushkin. One of my former History students from 2015 was from Russia. She was a part of that wonderful class that turned Ava DuVernay’s film “Selma” into a class trip and history lesson. The one lesson that my Russian student gave to my entire class was her comments that the Afro-Russian poet Aleksandr Sergeyevich Pushkin was directly responsible for the modern-day Russian language. I still remember her pride when she said, “The language we speak now is directly attributable to the great Pushkin!” That was a good semester.
I bet that was a good semester to have a Russian in your class who could give some insight on the African influence on Russian language and culture. I will seek to communicate with Brother Killens, but my sense impression from 1979 is that he was not so much worried about Pushkin as he was concerned that Black Americans did not know then what your Russian student imparted to your class in 2015. Killens spent a great deal of time in the old Soviet Union studying the culture and the impact that Pushkin had on modern day Russia. As always your comment adds another dimension to the subject.
What I am hearing is that since the Dylann Roof incident more black church members are going to church armed.
I would not be a bit surprised to learn that this is a true statement of what post Charleston churchgoers are packing before entering the throne of grace.
Good! I will not sit up front. I like to have an aerial view.
This is a great article. I am astonished by some of the facts that you presented. Who brainwashed Dylan to get to this point? Should they be executed as well?
Thank you for your comment. You pose a significant question. While I have not seen any proof that Dylann Roof was brainwashed, there is legal precedent for charging those who conspire to carry out a criminal enterprise. I welcome the thoughts of others on this question.
Michael you made me recall why my Mom admired the White Atlanta journalist Ralph McGill who argued in the 1940s that the Criminal Justice system actually encouraged Black people to carry out their anger in the extreme. Back on December 13,2012 I blogged that “Ralph McGill Would Never Defend “Stand Your Ground.” Some of your commentary reminded me of McGill. My two cents: Dylann Roof is an ice man and a monster, and I would like for my tax money to go to the preservation of something worth saving.
Ralph McGill, now those are some big shoes to step into. Honored by the comparison and I agree with your two cents.
Micheal this article “to me” is one of the most touching articles I have read. With all the negative, crazy stuff coming out of Tuskegee I expected this to not end well.
I guest Dr. Johnson final did something to make someone happy. Maybe God is working on his heart.
However my comment is for you. What makes a persons special “to me” is their
Intergrity.
Thanks for writing the good about what Dr. Johnson did.
Thank you as always for reading and commenting.
I am so very happy and moved by this article and gesture!!
Thank you for reading and leaving a comment. When this story came to my attention, I dropped everything I was doing to tell it.
I have not been in favor of the majority of the actions taken by Tuskegee’s new administration, however the corrective steps taken to correct this mean spirited decision appears to be a positive gesture. I hope and pray that it was a sincere decision.
Sincere or not, it is the right decision and if Mr. Horn is correct in stating the ban has been lifted, the president should be applauded for taking this step.
Jonathan Horn is very passionate about his Tuskegee University Golden Tigers , he should recieve an honorary degree from Tuskegee University .I will always admire his genuine spirit for Tuskegee University and The Mighty Golden Tigers.We should all pattern our dedication after Jonathan and show support as he for our Tuskegee University Golden Tigers .Thank you Harold for spotlighting and giving our “Super Fan ” his salute. In an insurmountable way , Jonathan’s spirit and love for Tuskegee Is vividly displayed whenever you greets him.Thank you “Super Fan “
Mr. Horn is a natural resource that both the town and gown communities in Tuskegee should utilize in their marketing programs.
I do wish younger Black people (and younger people in general) would get interested in baseball again. Nice bio of the amazing James Martin.
Me too. I know you know that I simply love the game of baseball.
Such a touching story. This reward could not have been given to a better person. Horn is a dedicated fan of the high school(BTW), the middle scool (TIMS), and his beloved Tuskegee University. I pray that they will allow him to return to the practices as well. #teamHorn.
Thank you for reading and sharing this story. I pray the officials at Tuskegee University will allow him back on the practice field and at other sporting events.
Well said Michael. However, I would like to point something out that a lot of men never pay attention to. Public space is never designed for Fathers and their daughters. It is always designed for Mothers and their children of any gender; and fathers and their sons, but not their daughters. When I was a child and hanging out with my late Dad he would either walk me into the “men’s room” with his hands over my eyes and announce “Dad coming in with daughter” so he could take me to the bathroom. In other instances, we would often run into a woman who was a friend of the family, and she would take me to the bathroom. Now, I have seen female and male children in Women’s public bathrooms and I never thought anythiing about it. A boy with his mother who had to use the bathroom, just simply came in with his mother. I do know several transgender people and I appreciate your candor here because some of these folks are the best human beings on earth. I’m not sure what the solution is, but I do know that public space has never ever been designed to accommodate fathers and daughters; and I think we ought to give that some real thought as well.
Your point is well taken and another idea whose time, long overdue, has come.
No Michael. I must thank you for this. I had not thought about any of this until you wrote this wonderful piece. And you are correct. We do need to discuss all of this. Public space should accommodate everyone regardless of gender. This was a totally engaging piece.
Thank you.
Preach, Harold Michael Harvey, Preach! This photo was so very tacky; and might I say that I question the rationale of these college presidents! Do any of them really believe that our current president is going to give them anything? Black people are not without money and resources, but a sizeable segment of our communities place their priorities in the wrong place. If we all spent as much on HBCUs as we do on churches, then our HBCUs and their students would not want for anything.
Preach, Leslye Joy Allen. “If we all spent as much on HBCUs as we do on churches, then our HBCUs and their students would not want for anything.” Sound the alarm and readjust our priorities.
Such a show of blatant disrespect from this uncouthed woman from 45’s swamp!
I hear you loud and clear.
Yup, fake president. I won’t even capitalize the ‘P’ is president.
Michael you have really hit the target this time. How provocative, immature, and extremely unprofessional.
Kelly know exactly what she was doing.
If any Black Man, or any men look at her for a Romantic Rendezvous, please feed her Seymour.
Another hidden racist picture. Hell I would have told her to setup heifer and close you damn skinny as pale legs. Where are your manners?.
Michael this is great. May God continue to bless, his business, your business, and your clients.
Cynthia, thank you so much for your kind prayer.
HARVEY CONGRATULATIONS IN THIS WONDERFUL BUSINESS.REMEMBER MY WORDS TO YOU A FEW MONTHS AGO.GOD HAS ANNOINTED YOU TO DO GREAT THINGS.I AM READY TO BECOME YOUR STUDENT AS A WRITER.ARCHIVES IN THE TUSKEGEE INSTITUTE LEGACY. LIVING IN FAITH,YOUR TUSKEGEE INSTITUTE SISTER.
Thanks and yes you did. Please pass this information along to your friends who could benefit from our publishing house.
Thank you Sister Baker. I appreciate your support and solicit your continued prayers.
Enjoyed the read!
Thank you for reading. Darien in a special young man with special talent and abilities.
Well stated, as usual, Michael. What also amazes me at Trump haters is their unwillingness to take a good hard look at the lack of political will and/or political impotence of the politicians they actually voted for. Democrats and moderate Republicans have been good at “saber rattling” and spewing out 30 second sound bites to sound like they actually know what they are doing, but they have yet to produce any tangible legislation that would stop or slow much of Trump’s most potentially dangerous policies. I also agree that Trump is not quite as ignorant or inept as his adversaries think he is. All he really has done is said publically what many men say and believe behind closed doors.
Joy, your comment as usual is well balanced and add an extra punch to the conversation.
An outstanding story Michael about mind over matter! Determination almost always trumps everything else. The story I am about to tell is not quite so amazing as the story about Darien, but here goes.I knew a woman who had over NINE miscarriages. After her husband was tested and found to be fertile and after several tests were run on her, she was told by FIVE obstetrician-gynecologists that she would never, ever be able to conceive a child. She volunteered to be a fertility guinea pig at Grady Hospital for well over four years. Some of the procedures performed on her included literally blowing out her fallopian tubes with water. She mentioned how painful some of the procedures were. She and her husband were married for 13 years and finally she became pregnant and she gave birth to their one and only child. That only child wrote this response. FYI: You need to write a book about baseball.
Thanks for commenting and sharing your wonderful story. I am in fact working on a documentary on Black College baseball.
I sure hope this is true, and this clown is OUT!
Johnson confirmed to Montgomery television station that it is true.He is out.
Did we give him a chance? I don’t think so.
He is leaving for another job. He was not fired
This article does not say he was fired. It simply says that he was rumored to be “out.”
Leaving for another job? I pray it’s not nearly bankrupt another HBCU. Good riddance to bad rubbish. It’s just sad that the alumni didn’t realize how much power they really hold (they truly keep the doors opened), and let him go when no money was coming in the door.