Hidden Post

so this post never published and has hidden in cyber space for months..... ooooohhhh
So I've not survived an appartment move and got my internet hooked up and ready to go. So here goes what I've missed (or my best attempt at recollecting relevant info).

Dean of Students Ed Willis has decided to leave U of M. I am not sure 100% if his resignation will be a big blow to students, but he has been known sometimes to really support students of color. However, it should be noted that Willis' resignation comes behind Rackham's Dean Earl Lewis' exit. Both Lewis and Willis are African-American men and U of M's recent loss of deans (Education, Public Health, etc.) have occured among mainly women and faculty of color. The U will have some serious scrutiny if those positions are filled like President Coleman's VP cabinet (chock full of White males). Food for thought.

The Emmett Till case is being re-opened. If you don't know Emmett Till's name beyond the Kanye West Song- Through the Wire, "scared as hell that her guy look like Emmett Till," you should read this article which discusses some of the allegations against Till and the trial where two White men were found not guilty. The re-opening of the Till case will likely do more for the moral conscious of race relations in the US than actually administer justice. Till's mother, before her passing, was an strong advocate for civil rights and against the death penalty. So is justice delayed justice at all?

Okay, it's 2004 and allegedly TN Rep. Frank Buck didn't know wetback was a racial epithat, come on! Sadly, other folks in TN also think that Buck made an accurate assessment of things.

We are now literally right around the 50 year annniversary of the Brown v. Board of Ed decision. Here are a number of resources on understanding the case and it's ramification. Brown is credited with the legal end to "separate but equal" doctorine solidified by Plessy v. Ferguson (1896). The first is a book list published by Africana. The second resource is a conversation between Cornel West and Henry Louis Gates from the NY Times (you'll need to log into the Times to see it). The third is an interview with Derrick Bell on the anniversary of the Brown Decision. The fourth is a newsweek article that lays out the lineage of the case and the contemporary reality of things.

In closing, we lost a tremendous author in Gloria Anzaldua at the age of 61. I remember her for her book of collected poetry which featured "The Bridge Poem" by Donna Kate Rushin. I encountered Anzaldua's writing in high school and learned what a pen could really be used for. RIP.

Marcus Dixon case overturned

The Marcus Dixon ruling of aggravated child molestation, which he was convicted for after having consensual sex with another white female high school student, was overturned this morning. The Dixon case has captured national attention, rightfully so, and displays the nature of institutional racism in the US court system. The overturning of the decision is a good beginning.

It's been a long time.... since I've last left you: there have been no new wars (that's actually a surprise), a failed Black Scholar House, my dissertation idea blasted out of water, packing for a move and the graduating of a tremendous group of seniors. So I'll tell you about the stuff that you probably care about, you know the Black stuff happening at Michigan ;)

The Black Scholar House was conceived by Dhani Jones, a U of M Alum and current Philadelphia Eagle. While at U of M (1996-2000) Dhani was a member of the Alphas and one of the co-founders of HEADS. Upon my arrival, immediately after Dhani's departure, I was told about the "Scholar House." The Scholar House was to be a place of residence and academic excellence. A place where Black students, as it was told to me- Black males, who were serious about erudition would be located, an unprecedented occurrence at U of M. We all know the Trotter House is certainly less than what it needs to be- to say the least. I remember this was one of the things that I looked forward to as a new member of HEADS and a new member of the Black Community. Over the years, the discussion of the house faded from conversation, but I always waited to hear anything about it. Having never met Dhani, I gathered info second and third hand. During the month of March, word came down that Dhani was looking to close on a house near campus for this Black Scholar House. I immediately went over to take a look at it, didn't get to go in, but it was really nice from the outside. The day that was talked about for all details to be finalized was May 1. Well somewhere between the end of March and May 1, a lot of issues arose.

To be as objective as possible, the interests of a number of folks came into play: campus organizations, teams, personal interests, and Dhani's interests as a landlord. The end result is best summarized in the letter below that Dhani recently sent to be distributed to the Black Community at U of M. One day Dhani, we will carpe diem...

Dear Students:
I appreciate you all attending the mass meeting last Monday April 19,
2004 about the Black Scholar House. Taking time to understand the
dynamic of the campus, the students, the community and after pondering
over the discussions and some of the issues that were brought to light
at this meeting I have decided to postpone my purchase of the property of the
Black Scholar House, and put my efforts and energy into laying a solid
foundation for my vision for the house. Your suggestions have
prompted me to put together a student, faculty and staff advisory panel that
will help to shape and sustain my vision for the house. Also, I am researching
the house's relationship to the University with respect to resources and
facility management issues. In addition, I will be pursuing outside financial
resources in order to have an endowment set up for the house so that
it will be able to be maintained throughout the years.

I really want to take the time now and just let you know how much I
appreciate your feedback. This is a growing process for both you and
I, and I am looking forward to giving back to a campus community that
I love. It is important that this process is done right and I will not
cut corners, because I want this house to endure. I will be
contacting students in the future in order to get your input on
different ideas that we might want to see come into fruition in the
Black Scholar House.


If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me
at ########## Thank you again in advance for your understanding and
support of the Black Scholar House. I know that a dream such as this
needs students to believe, but what it also needs is direction and
support which takes time.

Warm regards,

Dhani Jones

Carpe Diem...

Carpe Diem...

Besides the Scholar House, the Black Community also held the annual Black Celeb. For all who do not know, this is not the Black graduation, this is a celebration of U of M's Black graduates. Graduation happens earlier in the day, simple idea...okay, let's move on. While graduates were having their names called, Philip Morgan did something that has never been done, he proposed marriage to his girlfriend on stage. Congratulations.

I'm on hiatus. I'll be back. Dumi

Last week, Connerly and croanies were dealt two big blows in their anti-affirmative action movement: one in Colorado and one in Michigan. Congratulations to all who worked hard on these victories. I posted on this before but apparently messed up so it didn't show up to the public.

Ward was trying to pull the wool over folks eyes, and the Ingham County judge agreed and threw out (really stalled) the petition drive aimed at ending affirmative action.

And I maybe a day late and a dollar short, but Citizens for a United Michigan finally has a webpage up.

Yesterday, the National Urban League released theState of Black America 2004 report which features an "equality" index. The full report is not available yet, and I hope they make it available online, but for now you have to buy the book to get details. The press release states that the status of Blacks is 73% of Whites. Check it out.

Today Tavis Smiley did an interview with Alford Young Jr., an Associate professor of Sociology and African and Afroamerican Studies her at U of M... also my advisor. The converstation they had was on Al's new book The Minds of Marginalized Black Men. The book is expensive, but definitely dope. Lilsten to the interview and then buy the book!

The Free Press runs a q&a with Ward Connerly today.

One of my favorite excerpts
This is somewhat of a personal question. You are obviously a sincere person and have a lot of integrity. A lot of the people that are following you in this are sincere and well-intentioned, too. But there are probably a lot of them that really cannot be regarded as friends of black folks. They have sort of taken the banner of civil rights and equal rights, but certainly are not people who would have been marching in the '60s for anybody else. And a few of them probably are straight-up racists. How you do feel about making alliances with people like that?

I appreciate that and respect the question. I'm not making alliances with them. We are not seeking their endorsement. It's a free country, however. If they want to support us, then, although some of the things they may have done and may still continue to do in their conduct -- even a broken clock can be wrong twice a day. We're not asking them to support us. We are saying, this is what we believe in. And we can't control those who happen to attach to our views. It might make us uncomfortable politically. But, you know, just because (Unabomber) Ted Kaczynski believed in environmental protection doesn't mean that every environmentalist is somebody like Ted Kaczynski. That's just part of the politics of it.

And on the other side, there are people who oppose what we are doing, who wrap themselves in the swaddling clothes of equality, that are not good people. They are mean-spirited. They pursue their course by any means necessary. These are not good people, some of them. So, each side has its burdens to bear with respect to those that align themselves with our respective viewpoints
Hey Ward... the saying is even a broken clock is RIGHT two times a day.

Another excerpt:
I guess the question we should have asked at the beginning of this is, is there any construct in which you where race matters? Does race exist? Is it real in your mind?

A friend of mine once said, "Ward, there is your opinion, there is mine, there is perception and there is reality." And I think the perception is that race is real. We sort of think that there are these five races and we can go around this table and we could put you in that one, we could put you in this one. I don't think it is real. I think we come in different textures, different colors, from different parts of the globe. But we are one, extended human family that we have arbitrarily divided into these basic food groups and that was the original sin almost in this country with regard to race.
My response- the Thomas dictum, "If people define situations as real they are real in their consequences" The Q&A is long, but well worth the read. Hear it from the horse's mouth!

Here's an article from the Daily that outlines the ballot clash. Here is a piece from Ann Arbor on the move to block the petition legally. And a piece in the Detroit News that I must have missed on BAMN and their tactics. For alternative perspectives on BAMN and DAAP, it's U of M political wing, check out this site.

Thankfully, yesterday the Michigan House voted down the attempt to bring the Death penalty back to Michigan on the November ballot. The only way that this measure will get on the ballot is if they do a signature campaign and receive 300,000 signatures (sound familiar?).

Speaking of signature campaigns, you may have noticed emails yesterday going out about a cross burning in Macomb and an incident of racial intimidation at EMU in which a student was greeted at her door by someone in green klan regalia and these being a result of the Michigan ballot initiative. This may be a rare possibility, but of course this would mean that the KKK was really organized in the state, which maybe possible but still not likely in these cases. In Macomb there is rumor that the Macomb police were involved in the burning of the cross (also not that people are failing to mention that the couple is interracial) and at EMU whoever came to the door was most likely local. There is no one on security cams and no one has suggested anything suspicious who was on duty. These two possible Klan activities were likely more localized actions than coordinated in response to the MCRI. I really think assuming that this is the catalyst would be a leap of logic. And because I'm always interested in a good conspiracy theory, I could even go with them coming about in response to the police slaying in Detroit, speaking of which...After three weeks of hours arrest, the Joe Louis fist vandals Brett Cashman and John Price, are free until their trial goes to Wayne County Court. Let's not forget that at the base of the fist they left picture of the slain officers and "courtesy of fighting whities." Also, let's not forget they allege it was a political statement, not racism .... uh, no comment!

And I gotta stop posting now, because I gotta do some work, but before I go. Yesterday the Regents meeting was greeted with a lot of protest and seemed to definitely impact some Regents views. I prefer Rob Goodspeed's report of it, but you can also read this Daily article if you want. BE ALERT, MORE STUFF TO COME!

The Daily printed a letter that was speared by Monique Perry on the Trotter proposal that features a laundry list of names from the MSA President to lil old me!

Below is announcement for what looks like a great event!
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN NATIVE AMERICAN STUDIES

PRESENTS

FEMINIST PERSPECTIVES
ON AFRICAN AMERICAN
AND NATIVE AMERICAN
REPARATIONS


OPEN FORUM
FRIDAY, MARCH 19
ANGELL HALL
AUDITORIUM B
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

7PM - 9:30PM

SPEAKERS:
ADJOA AIYETORO, N'COBRA
PATRICIA ALLARD, N'COBRA
WILLETTA DOLPHUS (LAKOTA), BOARDING SCHOOL HEALING PROJECT
SARAH DEER (MUSCOGEE) TRIBAL LAW AND POLICY INSTITUTE
ALISA BIERRIA, COMMUNITIES AGAINST RAPE AND ABUSE
ANDREA SMITH (CHEROKEE), UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

MODERATOR:
ANDREA RITCHIE, INCITE! WOMEN OF COLOR AGAINST VIOLENCE


This forum will address some of the analysis and strategies that might
develop when one centers African American and Native American women within
reparations struggle. That is, one of the human rights violations
perpetrated by state policy in the forms of slavery and boarding schools
has been sexual violence perpetrated by both slave masters and boarding
school officials. However, continuing effect of this human rights
violation has been the internalization of sexual and other forms of gender
violence within African and Native American communities. Can a reparations
framework speak to the specific types of harms that women of color have
suffered? If so, how? Are there demands around reparations for the types
of continuing effects of human rights violations that are evidenced by
violence within communities, but are nonetheless colonial
legacies? Furthermore, how can an analysis that frames gender violence as
a continuing effect of human rights violations perpetrated by state policy
challenge the mainstream anti-domestic/sexual violence movement to directly
challenge state-sponsored sexual violence as central to its work?



for more information: Andrea Smith, 734-231-1845

co-sponsors: CAAS, Native American Students Association, Institute for
Research on Women and Gender, Women's Studies, Detroit Chapter National
Lawyer's Guild, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, LSA Research and
Graduate Studies, Black Law Students Association, National Lawyers Guild (U
of Michigan Law School)

As a continuation of yesterday's surreal editorial, the Daily today printsthe Trotter House badly in need of 'U'-funded repairs. At some point, I still want to know if the Daily really thinks that the U is going to just decide to dedicate money despite the continued pressure from community members for years.

And the Daily continues on its tear of not providing solutions but suggestions resolutions are a bad idea. This time the resolution is about bias incidents. Geez, you know verbally or physically harassing someone is so "60s" good thing it doesn't happen any more! Don't allow anyone discretion, because they will certainly always err on the direction of overuse. For example, the woman at EMU, come on the man in Klan regalia could have just been trying out his Halloween costumes. Gosh, I hate political correctness. ;)

And here is a NY Times article on Brown and the search to examine the roll of slavery in their University. I know you had to jump through hopes to get to the other one.

Last Thursday at EMU, there is was an alleged incident of racial intimidation. Glennisha Morgan said she answered her door to find someone in something that resembled Klan regalia. EMU is looking into the incident though it is unlikely anything concrete will come of it. The same issues of permissible "hate speech" will remain.

In other news about free speech. A professor at my boy Andrew Van Alstyne's alma mater Saint Lawrence University. Bob Torres, an untenured Latino Sociology professor, at SLU has recently come under a lot of fire and national attention for the views he expressed on his personal website (blog). He expressed issues with the College Republicans and Bush. He has now become a national case example of free speech and alleged attempts at "intimidation."Here is one of his responses to the allegations. Here is a recent Wall Street Journal Op-Ed piece on it- warning it's written by a writer for the conservative National Review. Lastly, here is the statement that the Department of Sociology released. Okay, that was a lot of links for one story!

On the local tip, the Michigan Daily publishes an opinion in opposition to the proposed 1 fee to be levied to work on the Trotter House aka the Trotter Multicultural Center. The editors reason that the resolution is simply a "stop-gap." What they fail to mention is that the U has been "discussing" improving the Trotter House for years, but has made no significant moves beyond a consultation on revisions (NO $ HAS BEEN PUT UP). The MSA resolution would first demonstrate that students are serious about the priority of the revision and could be the start of a matched campaign for the TH. This editorial really frustrates me because they clearly did not talk to the sponsors of the resolution. How do they propose to finally get the administration to action?

Larry Elder strikes back at Aaron McGruder, creator of the Boondocks by creating The McGruder award for most outrageous statement by a black public figure. This response was spured by this McGruder comic. Well good try Larry, here's a public announcement ... you're still not funny and young Black folks still don't like you.

Boxes and Walls is back on! The exhibit will run from March 22-25 at Hillel. Check out the website. Tours are given priority, so find a bunch of folks and roll through!

There were two important things that occurred in Lansing yesterday. The first was the proposed gay marriage ban failed, and actually got support by 8 GOP members, miracles never cease to happen. Also, the death penalty was discussed more and the father of one of the slain officers announced plans to attempt to make the death penalty for convicted first degree murder a ballot question. Though Michigan was the first state to remove the death penalty, it is now considering running counter a growing trend of concern and opposition to the death penalty.

Daniel Adams argues that public opinion should not/will not be the harbinger of justice, especially not in the state of Michigan in his piecethe Tyranny of the Majority. Adams, though against Affirmative Action (I can forgive him. I like this editorial.), suggests that the public sentiments about race and equality have lagged behind the necessity for progressive policy. This is a really clear argument as to why letting people in "nowhere" Michigan who have no idea what "Affirmative Action" or "racial preferences" are decide on their existence. I must admit, like Saul Williams said, "Some forms of free speech make me nervous."

Despite trouble with establishment of links between slavery and companies in earlier reparations suits, Brown's President Ruth Simmons has opened a committee to examine Brown's ties to slavery! The article is difficult to access because you have to register, but nonetheless it's an interesting read!!!!

Action Alert! The Michigan political scene is going to be really crucial this coming year. There are a number of important things on the ballot. One thing that has not been getting much play, but is really important is the possibility of bringing the death penalty to Michigan! The conversation largely resurfaced after Eric Marshall, a black man, killed two White police officers in February in Detroit. Well we know that Black folks killing or addressing Whites in anyway beyond deference has to be met with excessive force from the powers that be and thus we're talking about the "death penalty" again in Michigan. The Friends have set up a website for armchair activism where you can voice your discontent for bringing this policy to MI. Here's some more information on the death penalties disparate impact on Black folks.