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Atlanta is a black Mecca, where education, segregation and religion collide, so it should come as no surprise that it has taken 175 years for Methodist institute of higher learning Emory University -- founded by slave owner and Methodist bishop John Emory -- to acknowledge that the school was built on the backs of slaves and sustained by pro-slavery rhetoric.
I'm just glad it finally did.
"We've talked about African Americans on campus before, but now we're talking about Emory and African Americans," senior Kyle Black said. "As a black student, I think it's good they've admitted mistakes from the past. Emory is a great school and this just shows it. Now we can talk about it, so let's just talk about it."
Emory not only supported slavery in an abstract or physical sense, but in an academic way too.
In commemoration of the institution's 175th birthday, senior Patrick Jamieson will present a paper at a four-day conference in Newton, Ga., where about 30 public and private colleges will examine the role of slavery at institutions of higher learning in the United States.
With the theme "Slavery and the University: Histories and Legacies," Jamieson will be discussing Emory's "intellectual investment in slavery." He will also address the shameful fact that professors and leaders used classroom lectures to legitimize "the peculiar institution."
The conference will also serve as the introduction to Emory's new program designed to examine the university's past and its relationship with race and slavery.
Apparently, a great deal has changed since 1902, when the university forced professor Andrew Sledd to resign after he published an article condemning lynching.
Justifiably, some have questioned Emory's motives, pointing out that a renewed focus on diversity has opened up a well of increased federal funding; however, Emory has consistently led the way in green energy, scientific innovation and medical research while remaining one of the most selective schools in the United States.
Clearly, the university can use all the funding it can get, but there was no need to actively address its shameful role in this country's turbulent past, which is honorable.
"Emory regrets both this undeniable wrong and the university's decades of delay in acknowledging slavery's harmful legacy," President James Wagner said in a statement. "As Emory University looks forward, it seeks the wisdom always to discern what is right and the courage to abide by its mission of using knowledge to serve humanity."
An apology, Wagner said, could be viewed as "inappropriate and an attempt to force today's value and our own words in the mouths of the dead."
"If we think society must admit its mistakes so it can deal with future challenges, then Emory must live by those words as well," Wagner continued. "We want our students to lead, and we want to model on our campus, and in our community, what a better world could look like."
On a campus with 13,381 students, only 10.4 percent are African American. So when in 2003, amid growing concerns over Emory's diversity, a professor reportedly uttered the N-word during a department celebration, Wagner knew something had to be done."I will not guarantee that there won't be other racial incidents on campus," Wagner said. "If anything, there will be, but we will be better equipped to handle them."
Wagner's brilliant decision to not patronize the African American community with an inauthentic, posthumous apology impresses me more than any politically correct program Emory could conceive.
Hopefully, this is the beginning of a difficult national discussion that will potentially lead to tangible increases in equality and sensitivity on college campuses across the country.
Comments: (30)
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By: Al on 2/07/2011 12:30PM
Why should they, I doubt anyone is still there from that era.
Brings me to another point, how many generations must suffer for the actions of our ancestors?
I don't hate all Germans for what their ancestors did too mine. I mean really, who would it hurt.... not them.
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By: kayin omowale on 2/07/2011 1:11PM
If no one has asked you to forget or forgive the Nazis for their crimes against humanity, then why should you expect the same of Afrikan people. If history serves correctly, at least you have a nation and receive billions annually in foreign aid from western powers for the crimes committed against the Jews. The sad thing is that only 6 million were murdered by the Nazis, while 100 million Afrikan souls lay at the bottom of the Atlantic just due to the brutal trafficking of my Ancestors. So emphatically NO! we will never forget nor should we be expected to forgive.This has nothing to do with hate, but more so to do with power relations and the fact that European powers built their wealth off the back's of Afrikans.
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By: SAY WHAT! on 2/08/2011 9:22PM
I got punched 20 years ago by a cop.
He's retired now, but I want an apology from the police force for what he did to me back then.
What do you think my chances are and
"Do I sound like an idiot?"
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By: raven on 2/07/2011 1:27PM
I think the point is that why should their children continue to pay for something they had nothing to do with. If you wish to stew in the bile of your own unforgivably I really doubt it will hurt anybody but you. I choose to forgive and forget.
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By: kayin omowale on 2/07/2011 5:25PM
Children are the beneficiaries. Not once did your father, grandfather, great grandfather, note that they have wronged Afrikan people therefore, let's reconcile, repair and move forward. i understand the argument made, however, there are no limitations associated with crimes against humanity. Simply because western empires have chosen to 'run the clock out' doesn't make it right. Their children are the recipients of all that's good with this land, then the responsibility falls on them to correct the wrongs and sins of their ancestors. As for stewing in my own bile of hate, the last i checked, the u.s. empire wasn't doing so well economically, politically, militarily, etc. Therefore, all i have to do is wait for 'massa's house to fall. Of course, along with your inbred children.
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By: bob on 2/07/2011 2:10PM
@kayin What will you do when massas house falls? Why wait until it falls? Get the f...k out now!
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By: Rootmaster on 2/09/2011 8:43PM
"Those who do not remember the mistakes of the past are "doomed" to repeat them". George Santayana
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By: bob on 2/07/2011 2:21PM
@kayin 100 million souls of africans at the bottom of the atlantic? Better check your math. No one really knows how many died during the trips. Throwing out a ridicules number like that is just misleading and ignorantly racist. fyi approx 20,000,000 made the trip and less than half died which is less than 10,000,000 which is horrable but 100,000,000? get a grip!
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By: Jan of Maine on 2/07/2011 3:09PM
Is 10,000 of black souls at the bottom of the sea an acceptable level? In my book 2 TWO unneeded deaths no matter what color skin, are two too many.
I do not know about repayment. As an Indian/white person of poverty I only want my Human rights.
I also believe, the grand persons of slaves have a right to an heart felt apology or just an acknowledge of their great grand parents rights being stolen, is in order.
I am just one semi white person I cannot talk on behalf of my race. But as someone of poverty I have felt the pang of lost of rights. Not as strongly as the blacks, but I do know the sting of discrimination.
I am NOT a white of priviledge, but know the hunger of poverty. Of streghting soup by adding water. If there are Blacks or non blacks out their who want to join me in creating a better society Write me at Jan PO Box 105 Fairfield ME. 04937.
To create a better society we must first admit our faults
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By: kayin_omowale on 2/07/2011 5:39PM
@bob: the 100 million figure comes from the distinguished father of contemporary sociology - W.E.B. BuBois. When you familiarize yourself with any of his writings then let's talk. As for leaving this decadent land, NEVER! My Ancestors bled, toiled, fought, and dared to survive for the sake of future generations. So, unlike your kind we understand the significance of future generations outside of wondering will they have to monetarily pay for the sins of their Ancestors.@uub140: Too insensitive for me to even comment. However, look who's responsible for the pathological culture that you blame Black folk for? Secondly, any leading medical, or legal journal will tell you that: 1. whites as a whole smoke more dope than Blacks, and 2. whites communities are less occupied. The images of Blacks that you speak about in the media are also primarily sold to? -- you guessed it, white youth... So, understand that the negative impact that Blacks allegedly have imposed upon this 'great white nation' is a mirror image of white society. Lastly, if you never believe anything else, know that i am in no shape, form, or fashion inferior to any group.
PS:
i'd encourage all to learn more about the matter than merely advancing white-washed rhetoric. Start with 'Should America Pay?' by Ray Winbush; 'Black Labor White Wealth' by Claude Anderson; 'Two Thousand Seasons' by Ayi Armah; 'There Is A River' by Vincent Harding; 'Capitalism and Slavery' by Eric Williams and of course, 'Black Reconstruction' W.E.B. DuBois
Until you become informed, don't direct here, because your trifling evil minds are not ready for someone who's been free.
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