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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Privilege and Prejudice: The Life of a Black Pioneer: Clifton R ...
https://www.amazon.com/Privilege-Prejudice-Life-Black-Pioneer/dp/1611861713
Privilege and Prejudice is a stereotype-defying autobiography. It reveals a Black man whose good fortune in birth and heritage and opportunity of time and place ...
Last edited by untanglingwebs on Wed Dec 05, 2018 11:21 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Wed Dec 05, 2018 10:28 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Clinton R. Wharton was the first Black President of michigan State University and one of his first tasks as to deal with the racial issues at MSU. He offers great insight into the conundrum experienced by many minority professionals.
Wharton's lack of experience during the Civil Right's movement meant to some that he had not paid his dues. Behind his back he as called an "oreo cookie"-black on the outside and white on the inside- and even worse epithets,
As Wharton described the difficulties he encountered reaching out to the black students, Sam Riddle was one of his biggest challenges. He describes Riddle as being the most visible of young black leaders, bright, articulate with a bristling afro and granny glasses.
Riddle's activism was said to have led to his taking over the minority resident assistants (RAs) program, stated Wharton. Wharton soon discovered that a number of these minority RA's had become "Riddles Troops" that parroted his views and sometimes intimidated moderate black students from speaking out in opposition.
Last edited by untanglingwebs on Wed Dec 05, 2018 11:24 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Wed Dec 05, 2018 10:48 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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"Racism in the larger society had hypersensitized many blacks to the slightest affront, real or perceived', Wharton observed.
Athletics as a hot issue
It was at a 1972 basketball game of MSU vs Iowa that Riddle and up to 100 black students entered the center court to challenge racism in the Big Ten. The game was delayed for 45 minutes and Breslin staff even allowed Riddle to use their PA system to give a public statement on the "flagrant abuse of the freedom of speech"
Wharton gave a statement to the State Times about how the University would not tolerate any repetition of the incident and that future violations should expect consequences.. Sam Riddle came to Wharton's office proclaiming Wharton "had drawn a line in the sand".
Last edited by untanglingwebs on Wed Dec 05, 2018 11:25 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Wed Dec 05, 2018 11:04 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Wharton described to Riddle exactly what he and his colleagues could expect in a future disruption. While protest is one thing, noted Wharton, forcibly interrupting an official University function is another. The threat of arrest was real to Riddle as he wanted to go to law school.
The next game had the court ringed with campus police. Riddle entered the game with two companions and sat down quietly. But at half time the three ran to the balcony with the campus police in pursuit as Wharton was calling the police to stop. The trio unfurled a large banner proclaiming "The Big Ten, Open it up or close it down" When a second banner was hung that read "Uncle Clif's Cabin", the crowd began to laugh.
Wharton acknowledged That Sam Riddle was able to make his point, including an attack on him while playing by the rules.
Some things never change. |
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Wed Dec 05, 2018 11:20 am |
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