Morehouse College, an historically black university in Atlanta, Georgia-- and the country's only institution of higher learning dedicated to the education of black men-- just elected a WHITE MAN as the valedictorian of the class of 2008.
I. shit. you. not. Read about it here.
Okay, listen, I'm not gonna get into a whole big affirmative action debate, or start talking separate but equal. But, basically, a black college that's been around for 141 years is pretty much founded on the notion that negroes need a special place to learn and grow and become sponsor-able. Black males are particularly vulnerable, for even in his finest interview suit, a negro gentleman will still prompt an old lady to clutch her purse—just, cause, you know, old habits die hard.
Most of my extended family (the ones who think I “talk White”) have attended Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs for short), and with my degree from Diversity University and my excellent diction, I was the odd blacktress out—the blacktress sheep, if you will (will you??). Growing up, I loved the TV show “A Different World,” so when it came time to go college hunting, I visited Spellman College (Morehouse’s sister school. There is a chapel in the center between the two campuses, so that the black elite can wed quickly and easily—I kid you not) and Clark Atlanta, hoping I’d be able to find sassy friends and a boyfriend on the step team. Alas, the HBCUs acceptance of low SAT scores and the lack of air conditioning in the dorms left little to be desired. Add to that the fact that all those Spellman girls were done up like they were on the catwalk at a hair show, and I knew it wasn’t the place for me.
One can imagine my surprise when, in 2006, I began dating Israeli, vegan, investment banker Schmomer Schmohen,* who told me he’d done his SEMESTER ABROAD at Morehouse! Here I was, a flesh and blood blacktress, and this White boy was like a Martian to me. “What was it like?” I asked over drinks (which we had in Harlem—where he lived) “Did you have friends? Did the negroes take you in?” Clearly, he must have had a good time, for he moved to H-town after graduation and found himself in the bosom of a blacktress. It was interesting to hear about his Morehouse experience, and to see the college through the eyes of an outsider.
Perhaps he paved the way for Joshua Packwood. I wonder if they’ve spoken on the phone.
While I totally support Joshua’s learning and growing and exploration, I kinda find it hard to believe that there was no other black male with a 4.0 GPA and important extracurricular activities in the class of 2008—I mean, Morehouse isn’t that hard (yep, I said it!). As the Persian Excursion said, "If a black school can't even elect a black person as it's valedictorian, it's time to throw in the damn towel."
TRUTH.
I think what I love about the article is the following:
When speaking of his experiences in classes as the only White student, he says,
"Sometimes I kind of wanted to hold back," he acknowledged. "A lot of the professors and students have been like, 'No, don't hold back. We want your perspective here. If we're not going to get it from you, it's going to be very difficult for us to get it somewhere else.'"
Um, is it really? Is Massa Packwood the only person who will bring you white truths? You really have a tough time getting the opinion of a White person as you navigate this world? If that’s the case, I need to head down South, where apparently you can still live in a bio dome of foolishness. I find this especially funny if it did indeed come from members of the faculty, some of who were probably on the plantation with Sojo back in the day.
My other favorite excerpt from the article:
It was not as if this was the first time Packwood experienced life in the minority. He was among the few white students in his class at Grandview Senior High School in Kansas City, Mo. He has mixed-race siblings and his mother was married to a black man. Packwood's experiences growing up have helped him navigate black culture while remaining comfortable with his own complexion.
I LOVE IT. HE HAS KNOWN THE OTHER, so Morehouse made sense to him. Um, I must say, his "nagivation" is something that most of the black people I know do every damn day--and what, Packwood gets a cookie?! It’s also kinda curious that, given his upbringing, he felt the need to turn down Columbia and other Ivies, to “get the black experience," when he already had it at home, it would seem.
Josh is just down with the brown (woman), and wanted to be able to dazzle at dinner parties for the rest of his life.
I just love how bourgie black folks talk about keeping in the community, talk about how we need our “safe spaces” and whatnot, but the BMOBC (big man on black campus) for 2008 is none other than a real-life Zach Morris. I mean, look at this pic:
Note that he is surrounded by Negroes. In its original context, the caption under this image reads, "I always kind of gravitated to the black community," says Packwood who immediately fit in at Morehouse.Dude is Abercrombie-and-Fitch kinda fine. Um, if I knew all the hot white boys were at the HBCUs, I wouldn’t have been so quick to go liberal arts! He even talks about how he dates black girls in the article—um, how can I get him my phone number?!
Actually, I think I’d probably talk too white for him.
But can you imagine our mixie babies?!!! If you can't imagine, here's another pic:
The caption under this pic reads, "His experience was so positive that Packwood's younger brother, John, will attend the college next year." I can imagine Josh talking to his not-hot brother now: "Dude, don't even worry about it, you will get so much ass at the black school--the ladies will think it's so cute when you try to dance!"
As you can tell, my feelings here are layered. I do not have any negative feelings toward Joshua Packwood (who is fine as the day is long!), and I support the majority getting outside of their bubble and learning a little sumthin' sumthin'--but it's kinda ironic and frustrating to see that at a school that rests its foundation on lifting up the talented tenth, their most talented is a white dude--that's fucking curious as all get out. And I love the way the media is playing it up, for it proves that White is always right--even when it's in a black world, you know?
*names have been changed to protect the Caucasian.
32 comments:
SoJo, you never fail to amaze me. You really considered the Negro college experience. I also LOVED A Different World, and thought I would be the token high yella Delta, but then I went to a real high school and thought sharing a library with all the colleges in the AUC was beneath me. After living in Club Olin for four years, I think I was right.
SHIT. He beat me to it! But I guess it wouldn't have been as newsworthy from a Sanchez.
It saddens me that us negros aren't progressive enough to NOT make this such a big deal. We all know good and damn well if this were an article highlighting the first black valedictorian of Harvard we'd throw a parade and put his/her face on a stamp to be circulated during the short month of February. And until you attend a HBCU with no air conditioning, save your inexperienced
opinions...by the way the name is Spelman (not Spellman..and no I did not attend)And to the "scribe" you're not becoming the "token high yella Delta" has nothing to do with your color...check your credentials and ask yourself if you even qualify...
This blog is so ridiculous on so many levels. Having gone to MC and actually being lived in the tradition that you mock in your article you really should practice due dilligence when publishing your articles.
I'd like to know the name of your dude who did a study abroad program at MC.
My freshman year we had two white kids at in my class and thankfully one of them stayed on my floor and is one of my best friends to this day. I see no problem with this dude being named Validictorain if he studied hard and beat everybody out then so be it.
The saludatorian of my class is also one of my best friends, as well as best friends with our white guy, and he stayed across the hall from me Frosh year. If said white guy would have beaten out said Saludatorian it would have maid for great comedy while waiting for our main course after eating apps but that's it.
And the King's Chapel isn't used for marriage.
Reply from said white friend upon reading this blog.
Naw, not me....at minimum, my chicks need to know that valedictorians are not elected. And the 'HBCU's accept low SAT scores' and 'Morehouse is not really that hard' and decent number of typos simply confirm this girl's idiocy. I'm all for debate and new opinions, but if you're gonna join the legions of blogging jackasses these days, at the very least you gotta be witty or clever, neither of which this girl is
i can't believe he said that you weren't witty or clever!! those are the first adjectives anyone would use to describe you. clearly said white friend hasn't done DUE DILIGENCE in reading even a tiny sampling of your blog posts. 10% would constitute due diligence.
and if typos confirm idiocy then BEZ420 is headed straight for special ed.
Hardy har har, Bez, did you really need your white friend to vouch for you? I sware, Negroes at the HBCUs be acting like some serious house Negroes every chance they get. Stand on your own two.
And to said white friend: Wow, how original a white man debasing the work of a Black woman. Way to be all Amerikkkan with your response.
On a positive note, I am glad to see the healthy debate. No need for name-calling dears, especially when your comments don't reflect your assumed superior intellect. And in all honesty, I know people who went to Morehouse and admitted that it was not that hard.
Also, all schools don't use the same methods to select a valedictorian. But it doesn't surprise me that 'MC' bases its decision on GPA.
1. Wow Scribe, do you really "sware"? Wow.
2. This post is beyond absurd. Mroehouse, while academically rigorous, is like any other college; you can go there and challenge yourself and be challenged, or you can go there and skate by. That's the same from Mroehouse to Harvard, to Yale, to any community college. I know people from Morehosue who would destroy anyone intellectually, and I know people from Yale, Harvard, and Stanford who would seem dimwitted. Once you get the hang of collegiate study, any school is only as "hard" as you make it, based on your choices of curriculum, and your rigor of study. So you citing someone who went to MC and saying "it wasn't hard" amounts to nothingness.
3. Incredibly, the author of the primary post belitttles HBCUs in a very self-loathing fashion, while simultaneously gleaning her own fragile self esteem from the fact that she attended an impliedly superior majority institution. This is sad indeed. Written self hate, for all to witness in cyberspace.
Young Atticus
"What makes you ashamed to be black?"
El Hajj Malik El Shabazz,
Malcolm X.
Scribe, in all civility, I'm a bit curious. Who were your friends that went to Morehouse? Admittedly "not that hard" is just a bit overbroad, and I'm also wondering if your friends were valedictorian. Also, what about the AUC or it's facilities was/is beneath you, or do you just hate yourself and or place a heightened value on the majority culture experience, whites or whiteness?
To Soso (you dishonor the name and image of the true Sojourner I must add), it's kinda funny how Packwood's accomplishments are really nothing more than your opportunity to blow your wad and show all your internalized superiority from attending majority U. As much as you acknowledge the unique development space the AUC provides it's students, you show how much you could have benefit from the experience and actually take most of your self esteem from your majority exposure and educational background. Just my thoughts. Before or after your underwhelming responses, send some checks to the AUC, somebody's gotta get the job done and this crew missed the boat. Stay or become 5/5.
Let me preface my comments by conceding that your post was witty. But, what it contained in wit it lacked in logic and substance.
I attended Morehouse and can admit that I was taken aback by Packwood's award but comparing his message with yours it's evident that he cherishes the Black race more than you ever will. (Furthermore, after a quick perusal of your Facebook profile, author, it’s evident that Packwood posed with more of OUR people in the picture you scrutinized than you probably can count as friends or associates)
HBCUs serve a very noble purpose and whether you chose to attend one or not, you could at least do your forefathers the decency of supporting their hard work and dedication. The same people who sacrificed all they had to establish such institutions were probably the same ones who struggled so “Diversity University” would accept self-hating, ungrateful silver-spoon wielding tools like you. Not to down you, but I think our ancestors who toiled in scorching cotton fields would cringe at the fact that your college criteria consisted of air-conditioning.
As much as I want to spend my day further berating your idiocy, I won’t because I sincerely hope you (as a Black woman—whether you want to be one or not) find the right path and use your talents more productively.
I find it quite interesting that like this blog post, people choose what they want to read and accept.
For example, you choose to ignore the fact that Josh Packwood truly deserved the honors he received..just like you ignored the comments posted by "Smitty," that you took down.
To stoop down to your level a bit, in the immortal words of Cameron "Cam'ron" Giles; "YOU MAAAAAD"
1. Spelman is misspelled. Additionally, your characterization of Spelman women is unjustifiably negative.
2. Valedictorians are not elected (perhaps that's how they do it at Diversity University?) -- the honor is earned with four years of hard work and perseverance.
3. There are a number of erroneous assumptions and stereotypes about historically black institutions apparent throughout this post. I believe previous comments have pointed some out, though there are others.
4. The implication that HBCUs are "beneath" anyone implies a false sense of superiority based on attending a majority institution. How very typical of you.
There are probably a 5, 24, and 97 in there, as well, but I'll leave for others to comment upon. Essentially...this post is just sad. As David said, you dishonor the name Sojourner.
young atticus, david and others: why assume that the black students who attended white majority schools hate themselves more than those who went to HBCUs? maybe they just love themselves enough to go to well-funded schools with Af-Am departments, which many HBCUs don't have. maybe they want to have discussions about white privilege with white students, rather than talking about it behind their backs, or never broaching the subject at all. maybe they feel more comfortable wearing their hair naturally in a setting where they won't be openly ridiculed for it.
obviously black kids don't always have an easy time at majority schools, but this blogger is not the first person to point out the irony that many HBCUs are often more racially conservative than are the elite mainstream colleges. that the words "white privilege" didn't even seem to occur to the professor who told mr. packwood never to hold back in class seems telling. that's not to say that he should have held anything back or not accepted his position as valedictorian, just to reiterate the point that there are plenty of places for black people to hear white people's points of view, and that this HBCU is now one of them seems to me to undermine the whole point of HBCUs.
i say this as a black woman who loves and lives with a white man. i don't know if i even care that much that a white man has been named valedictorian at morehouse, i just think it's very curious, an interesting point of entry into a discussion about the novel ways in which race continues to matter. it's really interesting to see who's lined up with whom here; it's a very mixed up situation.
Aforementioned white friend that went to Morehouse checking in.
To Scribe....really? Sharing a library is beneath you? You're serious? Like, for real? Wow....I really don't have much for that. I really don't.
My response was in no way a voucher for BEZ, as his comment makes plenty of sense on its own. (But thanks BEZ, for throwing me out there like that...hahahaha.)
Acacia, you're right, I probably should have read some more of the blog, but I mean come on -- if I can't find anything witty or clever in a post about a white dude graduating as valedictorian of Morehouse, then why I would read on??? Maybe it's because for quite some time I have been the white dude that went to Morehouse, but really, this scenario is chock full of good jokes, and I didn't see any here. But that's just me.
As I said in my initial response (which came from our e-mail listserve), besides being not being amusing (and I'm a firm believer in giving credit where it's due...like "and if typos confirm idiocy then BEZ420 is headed straight for special ed" -- that was pretty good), many of the original post's key arguments are simply wrong. Primarily (this mistake has been made a lot lately), valedictorians ARE NOT ELECETED. Quite simply, it's the cat with the highest GPA. If Josh Packwood had a 4.0 and nothing but "Dishwasher - Morehouse College Cafeteria" listed for his extracurriculars, guess what? He'd still be valedictorian.
"But it doesn't surprise me that 'MC' bases its decision on GPA" HUH?? WHAT?? This is silly on multiple levels.
LEVEL #1 - As noted above, naming a valedictorian is not a decision. It's a recognition.
LEVEL #2 - Ummmm, is there something else that a college should be basing who their valedictorian is on, other than WHO MADE THE BEST GRADES? Best teeth? Dopest car? Skin color, maybe?
LEVEL #3 - I sense sarcasm here....why does it not surprise you that Morehouse bases who the valedictorian is on GPA? What does that even mean? I can hear you now -- "Hehehehe...foolish Morehouse, of the unrivaled tradition, prominence, alumni, and academic reputation....they would base who their valedictorian on something as silly and meaningless as GPA. When are they gonna get with the program and base it on something other than academic performance?"
Oh, and thanks for the 'Amerikkka' reminder....I forgot that rule that says white people are never ever, under any circumstances allowed to critique black people or their opinions. Now that the race card has been played, anybody up for a few hands of poker?
Really though....as all of my friends can confirm, I am an equal opportunity debaser. If your logic is garbage, your logic is garbage. And conversely, if your argument is solid, I'll gladly admit it's solid. The majority of this post and some of the comments fell squarely into the former.
Agreed, no need for name calling...calling the author stupid was pretty de riguer for our listserve (where we regularly insult elected officials, athletes, girlfriends, and each other's mothers), but I probably wouldn't have done it here (thanks again, BEZ).
And in all honesty, I'm sure that there are some people that say Harvard wasn't hard, or say that, oh, I don't know, Wesleyan wasn't hard. That doesn't mean it wasn't. As many of my current and future lawyer homeboys (yeah, I'm bragging) who've preceded me in the comments can confirm, "I know people who went to Morehouse and admitted that it was not that hard" ain't gonna hold up in court.
Wow. I didn't think I'd get this much anger and blacklash, and I can't even begin to respond to all 15 comments, but I will give it a shot, bringing up the most common complaints. Be open.
1. I don't think HBCUs are inferior. I said they weren't for me. And yes, that most likely does have to do with my previous educational experiences, but it's what I felt. I mean, keep in mind that there is meant to be a comedic element to this blog, so phrases such as "done up for a hair show" are hyperbole, meant to garner laughter. There wasn't AC in the dorms and it is ATL--I mean, we all sweat, don't we? I mean, the very transition from SAT scores to air conditioning in a paragraph, on a literary level is indicative of all aspects having the same level of importance. And we can agree to disagree, and it doesn't make either of us inferior than the other.
2. Okay, okay, I mispelled Spelman. If we're going to get into a typo debate, then everyone on here is guilty as sin, so let's be real.
3. I think that we have to acknowledge that there is something ironic and odd about the big man on campus being white at an historically black college. If that's not cause for a conversation, or at least asking "um, wtf?!" then I don't know what is. The school has a history--which many of you acknowledge in your comments, and which I acknowledge in my post--so, with that history in mind, shouldn't we think about the implications this has for education, and minority education in particular in this country? I also do focus on the article--which is where most non-2008 graduating Morehouse students will get info. Think about the implications of the way Packwood is portrayed to those outside of the HBCU world, those who aren't exposed to so many things--I hate to "blame the media" as Chris Rock says, but if anything, I'm more annoyed by his appearing as a special person for choosing to be a minority in an environment when so many minorities deal with the difference every day.
4. I took down Smitty's post because he/she used my real name, and I don't really want to get facebook stalked--we can put all the anger right here. I noticed Smitty's new post took out my name, so it's been left. He/she can say what they want.
5. Regarding the issue of me hating myself or blackness or anything like that: Well, that's just a whole 'nother post in and of itself, and I can't go into all that here. If there's one thing I have always been aware of in my upbringing, it is my blackness--whether from white or black peers. I know who I am and do not need to prove or disprove things based on who I'm facebook friends with or who I am in photographs with. Besides, why do we express anger towards my white facebook friends and not Packwood having black friends? Why am I the sell out or the problem? Why have I "disproved my negrosity"? I mean, the very idea that my race, background, and class can be proven or disproven based on me not attending a certain school or liking a place is indicative of race being a social construct, something thrust upon and perpetuated by all of us, unfortunately.
6. And bringing it back to the jokes--I mean, I call Packwood "hot" and "Abercrombie"--guys, this isn't about him being a bad or good person, or undeserving of his honor. If he earned the grades, more power to him--I just know I was shocked and surprised that only he stood out. What about the other Morehouse men who graduate each year with outstanding credentials and great scores, or turn down Ivies? Where are their CNN articles?
7. I am sorry everyone is "sad" and upset, and feel I dishonor the name Sojourner (though the pun is clever, let's admit)-- but I'm also glad we're engaging in a dialogue--albeit rude and underhanded. You can say I'm not this or that "enough," or I don't love or respect myself, and find me on facebook to prove and disprove your theory, but it is the very love and respect I have for Morehouse and other institutions that recognize and seek to act on inequities in education in this country that caused me to immediately read an article praising a "different kind of Morehouse man" and decided I wanted to write something.
So, perhaps that's still not clear. Perhaps I haven't been mean or angry enough in my responses to silence people. Perhaps there are one or two typos in here. But it's how I feel--and your disagreement doesn't mean I don't respect you, your experience, or your education. I just know that I read something I had to speak about, and any person with controversial opinions is going to garner opposition, so I guess that's what it's here for.
Acacia,
Where to begin?
1. I don't think that David, Smith nor I assume that African Americans who attended majority institutions hate themselves. that is far from what I said. I am happy to see any African American have the opportunity for higher education at any college. I do, however, take issue with the explicit statements on inferior facilities, the explicit dismissal of Spelman women as materialistic fashionistas, and the explicit statemens of the HBCUs being "beneath" the commenters. Thus, I don't "assume" the self hate in this singular case; I see it, quite tangibly.
2. I HIGHLY doubt that an open interracial dialogue on race takes place at majority institutions. I went to both, as an undergrad. it does not. African American students and white students and Asian students etc were segregated thoroughly, into their own affinity groups. It's quite disingenuous to suggest that there was a utopian honest dialogue across lins taking place at white colleges, as oppsed to and HBCU atmoshere where white privilege is duscussed "behind their backs". Absurd! But to win your argument, you falsely posit that white colleges are places of great growth and reaching out among the races. Stop it, really.
3. To say that at black colleges, people are somehow belittled for wearing natural hair is beyond silly, and it shows that you have little to no exposure to your own people. On Malcolm's birthday, I find this to be very sad. Were you ridiculed by blacks for your natural hair at an HBCU on your visits to colleges? Did they shun you becasue of your afro during your semester at Howard? Were you ostracized from ANY black community in LIFE because of your affinity for natural hair? I don't think you were. In fact I KNOW you were not, based on the large (and growing) percentage of black women on HBCU yards (campuses, as you would call them) who wear natural styles. And in the slim event that you were cast aside, your current dispersion to your community reflects how little you tried to find community among African Americans who were proud, educated, and loved themselves.
Enjoy your time living with and loving your white boyfriend. That is great. but please don't suggest that your relationship with him is in any way a product of your "natural self" being rejected by your own black people. That is simply untrue, unfair, and reflects the same self hate and lack of investment in your community that the primary blogger is guilty of.
-Young Atticus
"Someday we'll all be free"
donny hathaway
Please see my comments below, prefaced with "Response."
why assume that the black students who attended white majority schools hate themselves more than those who went to HBCUs?
Response: No one made this assumption. The presumption of self-hate came from you and the original author’s degradation of HBCUs from such superficial reasons as air-conditioning and shared libraries.
maybe they just love themselves enough to go to well-funded schools with Af-Am departments, which many HBCUs don't have. maybe they want to have discussions about white privilege with white students, rather than talking about it behind their backs, or never broaching the subject at all.
Response: You surely have misread—the reason why some readers are upset is due to your tone of superiority. We DON’T knock you for attending majority institutions! We encourage you as one of our own!
maybe they feel more comfortable wearing their hair naturally in a setting where they won't be openly ridiculed for it.
Response: This might be the dumbest thing I’ve read in a while. I trust that after you hit “submit this post” you realized the stupidity and we don’t have to go there.
obviously black kids don't always have an easy time at majority schools, but this blogger is not the first person to point out the irony that many HBCUs are often more racially conservative than are the elite mainstream colleges. that the words "white privilege" didn't even seem to occur to the professor who told mr. packwood never to hold back in class seems telling. that's not to say that he should have held anything back or not accepted his position as valedictorian, just to reiterate the point that there are plenty of places for black people to hear white people's points of view, and that this HBCU is now one of them seems to me to undermine the whole point of HBCUs.
Response: Maybe it does undermine the point of HBCUs and we can debate that elsewhere. But I’d like to invite you to read the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and reconsider your comment.
i say this as a black woman who loves and lives with a white man. i don't know if i even care that much that a white man has been named valedictorian at morehouse, i just think it's very curious, an interesting point of entry into a discussion about the novel ways in which race continues to matter. it's really interesting to see who's lined up with whom here; it's a very mixed up situation.
Response: The lines are actually pretty well defined—just understand that you don’t have to be against HBCUs to love your majority institution. We support you, your stellar education and your white significant other.
In defense of SoJo, and myself (how I ended up in this mess is beyond me) I posted a lengthy response here. It seems that someone from an HBCU got offended and now everyone is berating my homey. I wish Negroes reacted this way to the growth of the prison industrial complex, but to each his own.
This is getting out of hand. Let’s sum up today’s banter and end this:
* Plot: The original poster came out of the box with crazy, derogatory comments and Team HBCU responded in defense.
* Analysis: (a) You all didn’t think we had computers and thought this would fly under the radar; (b) you thought we lacked pride in our Alma Mater; or (c) you thought you could manhandle us with your intellectual superiority.
* Conclusion: This is Rocky IV where Rocky beat the shit out of the Russian dude, picked him up after the fight, thrust his arm in the sky and says something to the effect of “Together we can make this world a better place.” You’re that Russian dude—let us pick you up off the mat, dust you off/give you the one-armed play hug so together we can progress this race.
(And, no Scribe, we won’t take this discussion to your turf so you can get some hits on your neglected blog)
i just got an email alerting me to the fact that this commentroversy has continued. i don't know about anyone else commenting on this, but i know i stopped posting because i have a job and i don't want to lose it spending my whole afternoon picking apart every single thing wrong with what's been said here (and there's been wrong on all sides).
my analysis:
-"SoJo" made fun of a current event, made some sweeping generalizations for comic effect.
-people took offense to her sweeping generalizations and made more sweeping generalizations.
-i was the only one who never made a single typographical error (unless you count the fact that i type in all lowercase most of the time, which i will defend as an aesthetic decision). WIN!
*Posted on Scribe's site by accident as we refuse to support her weak, no attention receiving blog. We all we got!
BEZ420 said...
Scribe- the point of our responses weren't to belittle anyone's choice of where they went to school as these decisions encompass many factors i.e. scholarship, proximity to home, intended major, climate, etc.
To say that I didn't want to go to an HBCU because Spelman didn't have their own library is a choice you made and one you will live with. (Also each institution in the AU shares one library, no one has one of their own- but saying that probably adds to your feelings of inferiority and neglect that we had to endure)
You also point to an HBCU's lack resrouces and that, "white folks horde resources like WOAH, and I am all about getting my hands on resources to share with me and mine" again I'm not here to argue why you should or should not have gone to your chosen school.
But while we might lack high speed in every dorm room, flat screens in our student union, a fancy football team, and new lap tops for all incoming freshman I would argue that we had bountiful resources.
The resources I speak of aren't tangible but are essential for matriculation through school and success later in life.
I doubt any other institution other than Morehouse could have provided me with ingrained sense of myself and my place in an upwardly mobile young black community, the confidence to know that there are other smart, motivated, accomplished people who look, talk, and act like me. The ability to be confortable within my own skin, the brotherhood and camaraderie that you can't duplicate nor describe from attending Morehouse College is reason enough to bypass any other institution in the world for four years.
In reference to the screw them Sojo comment all I can say is that while I have neither the time nor inclination to research who either of you are via your cyber alias' I will say that from what I've heard none of us would screw Sojo.
In closing all I'll say is that it's sad because it seems that you and your accomplice are two of the people who could have benefitted most from a Spelhouse Education. Sadly you will never reap the benefits of the most magical patch of Georgia Red Clay on God's Green Earth.
P.S. While I would argue that myself and my crew of dissenters would put all comers to shame in the following areans- the court room, the classroom, the board room, the basketball court, the happy hour, the Playstation 3, the debate floor, the newsroom floor, the sales floor, or casino floor- for your own good I'd leave the personal jabs to a minimum. I'd hate to have to end your blogging career on some take it back to middle school fire up the fat kid ish. We've got more bodies than Marlowe in this cyber space and we don't hide them in houses. Leave them shits on the corner for the entire hood to see just like they did Omar's boyfriend in season one.
Not Impressed.
MAY 19, 2008 2:35 PM
Eerie silence from blog owner, Acacia, and Scribe regarding the (central to this discussion) fact that valedictorians are not elected: WIN.
It's about time whitey got into a black school and showed them darkies who's boss. Not that he had to try very hard. They threw A's at him left and right, drooled over his alabaster skin, and lapped up his Majority Opinion for the gospel that it is. He deserved every one of those A's. I doubt any of them Native Sons could've gotten a 4.0 anyway. I mean, I bet they dissented left and right (white?) and the slew of black and non-black professors educated at non-HBCUs were relieved to see whiteys' teachings reflected back to them. Hell, maybe they believed if they gave Packwood an A he'd buy them a plot of land when he became a rich and famous Great White Father!
As a Morehouse grad I was deeply distraught by what I just read. I think I've only teared maybe 3 times in my adult life, now this makes 4. When people (non-blacks) tell me that racism doesn't exist I'mma not only tell them that it does, I'mma tell them to refer to blogs such as this, which is a perfect example of how misguided even our own people can be. How do we expect to battle racism when we loath ourselves and bring each other down like crabs in a barrel? I was reminded of the Willie Lynch speech, although debated as a possible hoax the shit still stands true even to this day, when will we learn people. According to the speech we still have 4 more years, maybe more.
Read the speech
Full Text of the Willie Lynch Speech, 1712:
"Gentlemen, I greet you here on the bank of the James River in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and twelve. First, I shall thank you, the gentlemen of the Colony of Virginia, for bringing me here. I am here to help you solve some of your problems with slaves. Your invitation reached me on my modest plantation in the West Indies where I have experimented with some of the newest and still the oldest methods of control of slaves.
Ancient Rome would envy us if my program were implemented. As our boat sailed south on the James River, named for our illustrious King, whose version of the Bible we cherish. I saw enough to know that your problem is not unique. While Rome used cords of woods as crosses for standing human bodies along its highways in great numbers you are here using the tree and the rope on occasion.
I caught the whiff of a dead slave hanging from a tree a couple of miles back. You are not only losing a valuable stock by hangings, you are having uprisings, slaves are running away, your crops are sometimes left in the fields too long for maximum profit, you suffer occasional fires, your animals are killed.
Gentlemen, you know what your problems are: I do not need to elaborate. I am not here to enumerate your problems, I am here to introduce you to a method of solving them. In my bag here, I have a fool proof method for controlling your Black slaves. I guarantee everyone of you that if installed correctly it will control the slaves for at least 300 hundred years [sic]. My method is simple. Any member of your family or your overseer can use it.
I have outlined a number of differences among the slaves: and I take these differences and make them bigger. I use fear, distrust, and envy for control purposes. These methods have worked on my modest plantation in the West Indies and it will work throughout the South. Take this simple little list of differences, and think about them.
On top of my list is ‘Age’, but it is there only because it starts with an ‘A’: the second is ‘Color’ or shade, there is intelligence, size, sex, size of plantations, status on plantation, attitude of owners, whether the slave live in the valley, on hill, East, West, North, South, have fine hair, coarse hair, or is tall or short. Now that you have a list of differences. I shall give you an outline of action-but before that I shall assure you that distrust is stronger than trust and envy is stronger than adulation, respect, or admiration.
The Black slave after receiving this indoctrination shall carry on and will become self re-fueling and self generating for hundreds of years, maybe thousands. Don't forget you must pitch the old Black male vs. the young Black male, and the young Black male against the old Black male. You must use the dark skin slaves vs. the light skin slaves and the light skin slaves vs. the dark skin slaves. You must use the female vs. the male, and the male vs. the female. You must also have your white servants and overseers distrust all Blacks, but it is necessary that your slaves trust and depend on us. They must love, respect and trust only us.
Gentlemen, these kits are your keys to control. Use them. Have your wives and children use them, never miss an opportunity. If used intensely for one year, the slaves themselves will remain perpetually distrustful. Thank you, gentlemen."
If you scan the responses I think you'll find that not one of your detractors spoke to the issue of Packwood becoming the first White valedictorian of Morehouse College. You guys are so caught up in adversarial mode that you don't realize that your opposition stems solely from your degrading, hateful words about HBCUs in general and Spelhouse in particular.
Further, a closer read will reveal that most of the negative responses came from sadness and disappointment- not anger. I've scanned this blog and most of the entries deal with race. If you really want to start a strong dialogue about issues like this, I suggest you approach us with the respect which any person deserves (more so your own people!). (And, you can still use comedy without being condescending, so that's no excuse)
Again, you have NO CLUE as to how the many posters feel about the Packwood situation. In fact, there is much disagreement even within our small group of friends. But, if you continue to take a stance of superiority with your HBCU brothers and sisters you will remain veiled in ignorance as it pertains to your people.
giiiiiiiiirl, way to spark a debate! i hope this comment doesn't have any typos because someone might try to kill my children or something!
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