When I was in college at The University of Tennessee, a group of frat boys from Kappa Sigma Fraternity thought it would be funny to dress up in blackface and "look like" The Jackson Five. It wasn't funny, but it was Free Speech. Acknowledged. But why shouldn't one dress in blackface... one of our reasons at the time was because... "once you get in the workforce this won't be tolerated". Now I'm in Macon, Georgia and a high school social studies teacher decided (I hope on a whim) to entertain his students at a student-faculty basketball game by dressing in blackface. His students and others in the commnity are defending his actions and his job. The superintendent has asked for his termination. This was my letter then... and UNFORTUNATELY is remains relevant.
Foul event shows ignorance
Letter to the Editor (October 2004)
Editor, The Daily Beacon:
As members of The University of Tennessee community, we recognize the utmost importance of Freedom of Speech and the rights we enjoy as Americans to freely express ourselves. However, with every right comes an even greater responsibility, not only to ourselves but to each other. Many people are offended by the recent events in which certain people dressed in blackface. We're forced to ask: Why would educated adults find it acceptable to dress in blackface?
First, are people aware of what blackface is and what it means, historically? The first instances of blackface occurred during the mid-1800s when white entertainers painted their faces black and mimicked Black Americans. Whites used blackface to portray blacks as inferior. Blacks were often portrayed in menial roles, such as maids, cooks and shoe shiners. By portraying blacks in such stereotypical roles, whites contributed to the common belief that blacks were inherently inferior to whites.
Secondly, do people understand why some might find blackface offensive? When consideration is given to the history revolving around blackface, it may be easier to empathize with that thought. People find blackface offensive because they had hoped that respect would have flourished by now - respect for each other's history, heritage, and culture.
Finally, we have to ask, what was the real purpose of wearing blackface? Where was the real fun? And at whose expense was the entertainment? If the people who painted their faces did it for fun, then it should be noted that the first minstrel shows were a form of leisure used to perpetuate stereotypes and rationalize racist oppression. And if it wasn't done for fun, then what was the point?
The first step towards progress becomes everyone's responsibility to embrace, respect, and learn about this university's diverse cultures so that we can work for reaching a common understanding.
Karyn Bailey and Brandon Long
President and Vice President, Catalyst for Change
UPDATE: SUPERINTENDENT'S STATEMENT to the Bibb County Board of Education
April 14, 2005
The purpose of this statement is to announce the resolution of the matter involving Greg Dougherty and the Bibb County School District.
As you are aware, I placed Mr. Dougherty on administrative leave with pay on April 5, 2005, due to an incident on March 25, 2005, in which Mr. Dougherty showed a lack of respect to the student body, staff, and school community of Central High School during the faculty-student basketball game by painting his body and dressing in mockery of the African American race.
I informed Mr. Dougherty at that time that I would recommend his termination to the Board of Education.
I stand by my position that the actions of Mr. Dougherty were insensitive, unprofessional, and insulting to the entire school community. Mr. Dougherty used classroom time to plan an event that was disruptive and harmful to the school. He also involved students in his misconduct. He used poor judgment in his actions and failed to conduct himself as a professional teacher.
However, I have listened to the feedback of our community and am aware of the need to resolve this matter without further distraction to our business of educating students. Therefore, I offered Mr. Dougherty the opportunity to return as a teacher at Central High for the 2005-2006 school year; however, he would be suspended without pay for the remainder of this school year.
Mr. Dougherty declined to accept this offer, which would have allowed him to continue teaching in the Bibb County School District at Central High School.
Instead, Mr. Dougherty has resigned from the Bibb County School District, effective May 17, 2005. Mr. Dougherty has also issued an apology to the school community, which I will distribute to the students at Central High School.
It is always unfortunate when a person in a position of trust, like Mr. Dougherty, fails to live up to that trust. This has been a trying time for the students at Central High School, the community, and Mr. Dougherty.
I am pleased that we were able to reach an amicable agreement and can now move past this situation.
We are now focusing on ensuring that the students at Central and all of our students receive our support as they move into these last few weeks of school, final exams, and for our seniors, graduation.
Dear Mr. President...
First allow me to congratulate you on this most honorable and deserving accomplishment. I, and those who know you best, know that this accomplishment is the result of hard work and an incredible vision. Since I've known you, you have always had a vision that is clear, precise, and laser sharp. Despite the efforts of many, in various aspects of you life, to blur or amend your vision... you have made it clear- that you have one.
The vision... I don't know what it is. I'm not even sure that you can express it, but I know you've seen it. And day by day, you work towards the finish line... The temporary finish line. As soon as you finish one race, you're always looking to the next. Curtis, what's your next race? I'm getting ahead of myself. But, I wanted you to know that you have and will continue to make an "IMPACT"... And we both know the best is yet to come.
Congratulations LB, Mr. President, Cheez, Havoc, Curtis...
Fraternally,
B-Long
Curtis Sanderfer
The University of Tennessee
SGA President 2005-2006
You done GOOD!!!
The vision... I don't know what it is. I'm not even sure that you can express it, but I know you've seen it. And day by day, you work towards the finish line... The temporary finish line. As soon as you finish one race, you're always looking to the next. Curtis, what's your next race? I'm getting ahead of myself. But, I wanted you to know that you have and will continue to make an "IMPACT"... And we both know the best is yet to come.
Congratulations LB, Mr. President, Cheez, Havoc, Curtis...
Fraternally,
B-Long
Curtis Sanderfer
The University of Tennessee
SGA President 2005-2006
You done GOOD!!!
The Village Green Shooting
Why don't people want me to tell their story? For the first time in my short career, I think I may have offended family members who just experienced a tragedy while doing my job. I was sent to the house where the shooting took place after the late newscast and after I had already made it home and changed clothes. I was beginning to turn in for the night when I get the call. I go to the station to pick up my camera, all the while thinking about what may have caused the killing: a drug deal gone bad, an attempted robbery, an accident. I never thought that it would be what it was (so I've been told): the wife shot her husband because of an abortion/pregnancy conflict.
Sadly, this was not the story to me, nor is it likely what I will remember for years to come. When I drove up outside the house there where dozens of people just standing around outside the house... A house that had crime scene tape wrapped all around. Family members were outside and were protective of their loved ones in mourning... to the point where a the brother and a cousin of the deceased approached me... really kinda a got in my personal space... and urged me to not get video of folks in the crowd. When I explained to them that it's my job to tell the story about what happened there, when I explained to them that it's my job to show people the emotion associated with a tragic loss... my explanations fell on deaf ears. And in hindsight, I may have been insensitive to the situation and to them. I usually pride myself on being a compassionate journalist, but something slipped this time... and I think it began when those two guys got in"my personal space". But I remember the grandmother, getting weak, crying, and family asking neighbors for a lawn chair for the woman to sit, cry, and rest her soul, if only for a moment.
The dozens of people stood around the house watching and waiting. But why? I wondered. Elementary school children were in the street watching... and its after midnight. They should have been in bed, but they were standing outside a house watching and waiting with maybe their parent(s)- but I hope not- or an older sibling... Watching and waiting for "the body" to be taken out of the house. And when the body was removed and put into the hearse... as if the movie were letting out... everyone dispersed. And within seconds, the street was clear save for the crime scene investigators, a few family members, and me.
When I left, I told the brother and cousin, I was sorry for their loss.
This was the seventh murder this year.
I was on the scene of four of the murders within a couple hours after they happened, while crime scene investigators where collecting data. I was outside the houses... those who were killed in those houses didn't expect to come out with destinations to a funeral home. The ones I covered, they were coming home or visiting a friend, and they were murdered...
Sadly, this was not the story to me, nor is it likely what I will remember for years to come. When I drove up outside the house there where dozens of people just standing around outside the house... A house that had crime scene tape wrapped all around. Family members were outside and were protective of their loved ones in mourning... to the point where a the brother and a cousin of the deceased approached me... really kinda a got in my personal space... and urged me to not get video of folks in the crowd. When I explained to them that it's my job to tell the story about what happened there, when I explained to them that it's my job to show people the emotion associated with a tragic loss... my explanations fell on deaf ears. And in hindsight, I may have been insensitive to the situation and to them. I usually pride myself on being a compassionate journalist, but something slipped this time... and I think it began when those two guys got in"my personal space". But I remember the grandmother, getting weak, crying, and family asking neighbors for a lawn chair for the woman to sit, cry, and rest her soul, if only for a moment.
The dozens of people stood around the house watching and waiting. But why? I wondered. Elementary school children were in the street watching... and its after midnight. They should have been in bed, but they were standing outside a house watching and waiting with maybe their parent(s)- but I hope not- or an older sibling... Watching and waiting for "the body" to be taken out of the house. And when the body was removed and put into the hearse... as if the movie were letting out... everyone dispersed. And within seconds, the street was clear save for the crime scene investigators, a few family members, and me.
When I left, I told the brother and cousin, I was sorry for their loss.
This was the seventh murder this year.
I was on the scene of four of the murders within a couple hours after they happened, while crime scene investigators where collecting data. I was outside the houses... those who were killed in those houses didn't expect to come out with destinations to a funeral home. The ones I covered, they were coming home or visiting a friend, and they were murdered...
- Willie Nesbitt, 24 years old... drive-by shooting
- Frederick Edwards, 58 and Mary Edwards, 55... Domestic shooting (double murder-suicide)
- Jonta Tarver, 23 years old... Domestic shooting
- Charles Worthy, 55... First murder of the year
- Curlysia Watkins, 24... Domestic
- Jerry Moore, 19... Shot in the head
Here's to you ol' TENNESSEE
SGA Grad Finale 2004
I found this picture from May of 2004 today on the internet. From left to right: Andrew Schaeffer, Grad Finale 2004 organizer; M.G. Bailey, SGA Vice President 2003-2004; Spruell Driver, UT Alumni Association President 2004-2005; and me- Brandon Long, SGA Secretary/Treasurer 2003-2004.
This was the first Grad Finale. It amounted to what turned out to be a senior picnic. I gave a speech about the Torch of Service, which graduating Seniors carry away from The University once they graduate. The evolution is The Torch of Preparation, The Torch of Enlightenment and The Torch of Service. Driver, who is also an Alpha and was also a Torchbearer, spoke on the need for continuing alumni commitment to the university.
Pray for the Pope
I'm not Catholic, but I recognize a man who has done good in the world and inspired others to do the same. He struggled in his youth and grew to be a champion for those who were oppressed. Pope John Paul II. A good man.
Smoke Screen
The Georgia Legislature passed the "Smoking Ban Bill" last night. Apparently, they want to protect children who go to restaurants with their parents from second hand smoke. I talked to a guy who used to work at Brown & Williamson, which is leaving Macon and relocating to Winston-Salem; he was concerned about the economic impact of people not being allowed to smoke in public places. Oddly, no one I talked to mentioned the health risks associated with smoking or how state health costs could be reduced. The people I spoke to were mostly concerned with their individual rights. I also talked to a restaurant manager who said it wouldn't affect her business... But she did speculate if all restaurants were going to enforce the ruling.
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