I have several thoughts on this topic. A disjointed community is what the system wants. Unfortunately, there are even members of our community who feel as though the fight to save and preserve FAMU doesn’t affect them because they a) aren’t Rattlers..b) are not college graduates..c) went to a PWI and finally, d) are pawns of the GOP. I may crack jokes and pick at FAMU alums the same as anyone else, but I am smart enough to know that they are the litmus test. The plan is to dismantle EVERY means of success for people who don’t look like those in power. Those who may happen to not fall into the cookie cutter mold espoused by generations of politicians and talking heads are doomed to fall by the wayside if we don’t get off our collective hindparts and become active. After they set the destruction of FAMU in place, Bethune Cookman is next, my beloved Albany State is next, Savannah State is next and even Morehouse will fall prey to this idiotic idea of mistreatment of folks who dare to think for themselves and demand fair treatment. Private institutions are not immune since funding will most assuredly come into play along with the oversight and governance of higher education across the country. It is all out war on the very things that helped us persevere and survive.
Although I did not attend FAMU and I am a graduate of FSU, what happens or has happened to FAMU does matter to me. My older brother is an FSU grad and our baby brother is a FAMU grad. Whether that was the case or not, I would still have great concern about how FAMU is handled. Why? Because if there was not a FAMU, I could not have chosen to attend FSU. Part of being a black student at the PWI in the early 90's was being able to experience FAMU and argue about why we chose "the white school." Now, when I drive down Gaines Street and see how FSU continues to spill over closer and closer to the tracks, it is overwhelming to see how now, what was once the area to avoid is now prime real estate. A hotel across from the SPUR station (which it will always be to me since the late '80's and my first visit to Tally with my brother on is official visit to FSU), who would have thought that would exist? We as black people must take on each others concerns, like the real concerns. Clearly if wypipo are doing everything possible to water down the quality and legacy of FAMU, this great institution has been doing the right thing and the power it holds has the Keeblers soggy and afraid.
Chuck my friend and brother. I love reading your articles at my desk just thinking about the churrin, today. I try not lose hope and faith that my will become better people some day in the community. I see no legacy being left behind for them to embrace and be proud of their heritage. The foolish corruption I see is the entertainment life of blacks. It's sad. The babies know the boots on the ground song before they can pronounce their full name. The adults find that amusing today. I like to think of myself blessed to have (3) daughters to have graduated from college with honors. I know there were days their mom's and I pushed educational learning skills down there throat. Repeatedly, saying I want let you be a dummy on my watch. Now I see parents who don't care about a child being educated. As long as they have their street credit from there perspective hoods. The fight is becoming harder and harder for our race. We are simply okay with not doing anything productive anymore in the world. Pass me a "B&M, Blunt, Joint, Liquor, Coke and many other vices that keeps our mind in the lost state. To hear lately I speak to my kind, not my color. Those who are like minded and want to have a legacy left behind for the work they have done in this life. That's who I converse myself with. To only say what will happen to the people of melanin skin in this world.
"When I was growing up, I naively believed that to a great extent, Black people were mostly the same and cared about the same issues..." - yet another tie we share
Brother Hobbs, please remember the guidance provided by Carter G. Woodson: "The Miseducation of the Negroe" which is extremely pertinent today when history is not being taught by the family, church or the education system and no one is standing up to this Felon to demand it!
Thanks, Hobbs. Unity matters more than ever. It's built on trust - trust that you will do what you say you will do and see the mission to the end. Trust that others aren't moles or worse. Trust that it may take different moves to provide some level of assurance... and insurance to make sure we are in the best position possible no matter what. Four years ago in Alabama, I was a co-chair on a mayoral campaign where two candidates refused to work together despite numerous pleas and were easily defeated. This time, there appeared to be three doing the same thing in a field of 7...and I just couldn't sign on for a repeat, so I chose to join the 'best of the rest' team (the most qualified and someone with whom I've served on a board -a little Liz Cheney-ish) in an attempt to insure the winner would be 'fair' just in case they weren't able to unify. [I'm tired of our disunity allowing them to choose the worst, especially now.]
But God... they did unite - less than an hour before the filing deadline, pulling themselves from 5th, 6th, 7th place to 1st or 2nd with a viable chance at a runoff or better depending on their GOTV strategy. On August 26, we will see how it plays out. Net, we have to have the right person at the head of the table and still more occupying a sufficient number of seats to control the resources across the board to keep situations like these that our beloved HBCUs are facing at bay. Keep pushing!
Good piece. No group should be in lockstep. I think that's dangerous. We can see it now. However, in the case of minority groups, range of opinion and actions "can" be detrimental to the group as a whole since there is not as much power and not as many seats at the table. At least that's the way I see it, so I get it. As you know, this is not necessarily a new problem either, even though it may be shocking to see it so brazenly for the sake of position.
I have several thoughts on this topic. A disjointed community is what the system wants. Unfortunately, there are even members of our community who feel as though the fight to save and preserve FAMU doesn’t affect them because they a) aren’t Rattlers..b) are not college graduates..c) went to a PWI and finally, d) are pawns of the GOP. I may crack jokes and pick at FAMU alums the same as anyone else, but I am smart enough to know that they are the litmus test. The plan is to dismantle EVERY means of success for people who don’t look like those in power. Those who may happen to not fall into the cookie cutter mold espoused by generations of politicians and talking heads are doomed to fall by the wayside if we don’t get off our collective hindparts and become active. After they set the destruction of FAMU in place, Bethune Cookman is next, my beloved Albany State is next, Savannah State is next and even Morehouse will fall prey to this idiotic idea of mistreatment of folks who dare to think for themselves and demand fair treatment. Private institutions are not immune since funding will most assuredly come into play along with the oversight and governance of higher education across the country. It is all out war on the very things that helped us persevere and survive.
Absolutely!!!
Although I did not attend FAMU and I am a graduate of FSU, what happens or has happened to FAMU does matter to me. My older brother is an FSU grad and our baby brother is a FAMU grad. Whether that was the case or not, I would still have great concern about how FAMU is handled. Why? Because if there was not a FAMU, I could not have chosen to attend FSU. Part of being a black student at the PWI in the early 90's was being able to experience FAMU and argue about why we chose "the white school." Now, when I drive down Gaines Street and see how FSU continues to spill over closer and closer to the tracks, it is overwhelming to see how now, what was once the area to avoid is now prime real estate. A hotel across from the SPUR station (which it will always be to me since the late '80's and my first visit to Tally with my brother on is official visit to FSU), who would have thought that would exist? We as black people must take on each others concerns, like the real concerns. Clearly if wypipo are doing everything possible to water down the quality and legacy of FAMU, this great institution has been doing the right thing and the power it holds has the Keeblers soggy and afraid.
Which is why we are FAMUly 🧡 💚 🐍
Agree!!! ✊🏽👏🏽👏🏽 #HBCU #HBCUFamily #HBCUPride #HowardUniversitySchoolOfLaw 💙❤️
Nupe, I been preaching this for the last 20 years, to no avail! I pray the good Lord will prevent it from being, "too little, too late!"
Amen, Nupe! We have to keep watching and praying!
#WatchingPrayingACTivating
Chuck my friend and brother. I love reading your articles at my desk just thinking about the churrin, today. I try not lose hope and faith that my will become better people some day in the community. I see no legacy being left behind for them to embrace and be proud of their heritage. The foolish corruption I see is the entertainment life of blacks. It's sad. The babies know the boots on the ground song before they can pronounce their full name. The adults find that amusing today. I like to think of myself blessed to have (3) daughters to have graduated from college with honors. I know there were days their mom's and I pushed educational learning skills down there throat. Repeatedly, saying I want let you be a dummy on my watch. Now I see parents who don't care about a child being educated. As long as they have their street credit from there perspective hoods. The fight is becoming harder and harder for our race. We are simply okay with not doing anything productive anymore in the world. Pass me a "B&M, Blunt, Joint, Liquor, Coke and many other vices that keeps our mind in the lost state. To hear lately I speak to my kind, not my color. Those who are like minded and want to have a legacy left behind for the work they have done in this life. That's who I converse myself with. To only say what will happen to the people of melanin skin in this world.
🎯 THIS👆🏽‼️. Sadly, I already see the effects on Howard University!!!
"When I was growing up, I naively believed that to a great extent, Black people were mostly the same and cared about the same issues..." - yet another tie we share
Brother Hobbs, please remember the guidance provided by Carter G. Woodson: "The Miseducation of the Negroe" which is extremely pertinent today when history is not being taught by the family, church or the education system and no one is standing up to this Felon to demand it!
Thanks, Hobbs. Unity matters more than ever. It's built on trust - trust that you will do what you say you will do and see the mission to the end. Trust that others aren't moles or worse. Trust that it may take different moves to provide some level of assurance... and insurance to make sure we are in the best position possible no matter what. Four years ago in Alabama, I was a co-chair on a mayoral campaign where two candidates refused to work together despite numerous pleas and were easily defeated. This time, there appeared to be three doing the same thing in a field of 7...and I just couldn't sign on for a repeat, so I chose to join the 'best of the rest' team (the most qualified and someone with whom I've served on a board -a little Liz Cheney-ish) in an attempt to insure the winner would be 'fair' just in case they weren't able to unify. [I'm tired of our disunity allowing them to choose the worst, especially now.]
But God... they did unite - less than an hour before the filing deadline, pulling themselves from 5th, 6th, 7th place to 1st or 2nd with a viable chance at a runoff or better depending on their GOTV strategy. On August 26, we will see how it plays out. Net, we have to have the right person at the head of the table and still more occupying a sufficient number of seats to control the resources across the board to keep situations like these that our beloved HBCUs are facing at bay. Keep pushing!
Wow! Thanks for sharing this and you, too, keep pushing!
Good piece. No group should be in lockstep. I think that's dangerous. We can see it now. However, in the case of minority groups, range of opinion and actions "can" be detrimental to the group as a whole since there is not as much power and not as many seats at the table. At least that's the way I see it, so I get it. As you know, this is not necessarily a new problem either, even though it may be shocking to see it so brazenly for the sake of position.