Officials: Howard Doesn’t Plan to Close Research Center 11/11/2009

In the latest edition of Journal-isms, a three-times-a-week online column produced by Richard Prince, officials at Howard University denied intentions of closing the 95-year-old Moorland-Spingarn Research Center. Prince cited Camille Augustin’s article Monday in the university’s student newspaper, the Hilltop, that noted the “university’s Chief Academic Office issued a statement vowing the center will not be closed.”

On Friday, Augustin wrote about how structural, staffing and financial challenges threatened the future of the renowned center.

“‘There is no intention to close the center,’ said Associate Provost for Academic Affairs Alvin Thornton, Ph.D., in an e-mail to The Hilltop on Sunday. ‘It is a treasured and valued part of Howard and will continue,’” according to the Hilltop article.

Thornton noted that the university is searching for a national director and reviewing how to maintain the research center “part of a larger university-wide academic and support program review.”

Black Research Center May Close 11/09/2009

Staffing and budget cuts may force the closure of Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, which is housed in Founder’s Library at Howard University.

“The loss of 60 percent of its resources and the abolishment of some critical positions due to the Voluntary Separation Incentive Retirement Program (VSIRP) resulted in many problems,” interim director Thomas C. Battle told the daily student newspaper, the Hilltop.

It is one of the world’s largest repositories of documents and other information about individuals, institutions and issues important to people of African descent throughout the world including the papers of medical pioneer Dr. Charles Drew, Congressional Black Caucus  records and copies of Afro-American  newspapers, one of the nation’s largest black newspapers.

Its collections include more than 175,000 bound volumes; thousands of journals, periodicals, and newspapers; and 100,000 prints, photographs, maps, and other graphic items.

“This should be a greater outcry. This is the premier place to research black history and culture,” Battle told the Hilltop.

Historic Election Recalled 11/04/2009

I wasn’t born yet when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, but I do remember where I was when the Challenger space shuttle exploded or when planes slammed into the World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11, 2001 or when then-Sen. Barack Obama was officially elected the 44th president of the United States of America.

On Election Night ‘08, I was working as an online producer at a Nashville television station. A few weeks earlier, Obama and McCain appeared in Music City for one of a handful of presidential debates held around the country. As an online producer, I was charged with writing stories, taking and editing pictures and video and posting all of them before, during and after four nightly newscasts. On Election Night, everything moved more quickly and thankfully I worked alongside dear friend and skilled colleague Angela Gardenhire.

As the election returns came in – Ohio, the Carolinas, the DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia) then the polls across the Midwest and finally the West Coast, people started calling the newsroom. Angela and I hurriedly monitored blog posts and filed updates along with our usual tasks. But, at one point, after ABC anchor Charlie Gibson called the election for Obama, I stopped. I excused myself and went into a conference room and cried. When I returned to my desk among the people who called me was my mother. Initially I didn’t recognize her voice, but the caller ID confirmed the source. She was crying, saying she wished my grandfather was alive to witness this feat. She also said she wasn’t sure months ago if she’d ever see this day, but she was glad for it. I added that I was very proud of fellow Americans who stepped away from fear to elect the nation’s first black president.

Last night, HBO aired a documentary produced by actor Edward Norton  that provided behind-the-scenes access to the Obama campaign. I enjoyed reliving Election Night as well as learning about how the campaign affected staff and volunteers.

Navy Honors Medgar Evers 10/10/2009

 

On Friday, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus  announced that the first ship he names will be the USNS Medgar Evers, a supply ship named after the slain civil rights pioneer. Mabus, a former governor of Mississippi,  made the announcement during a speech at Jackson State University  in Jackson, Mississippi. Evers was the NAACP’s field secretary in the state. He organized voter registration drives and led efforts such as boycotts and nonviolent protests to integrate public facilities, schools and restaurants.

The 37-year-old Mississippi native, who served in the Army in World War II, was assassinated in the driveway of his Jackson home in 1963. His killer, Byron De La Beckwith, was convicted fifteen years ago. His death prompted President John F. Kennedy to ask the Congress for a comprehensive civil rights bill.

“Upon returning to the United States, he took up the cause of freedom, rose to become the Field Secretary of the NAACP in Mississippi, and campaigned tirelessly to end segregation and ensure equal treatment for every American,” according to Mabus in a blog post  on the White House Web site. “No less so than the heroes who have fought and died for our country overseas, he gave his life to defend America and its principles when he was assassinated in his own driveway in June of 1963.”

“The NAACP commends the United States Navy for its tribute to the great civil rights leader and pioneer Medgar Evers and congratulates his widow and member of our Chairman Emeritus Myrlie Evers-Williams,” said NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous in a statement posted on the organization’s Web site.

“Medgar Evers’ lifelong passion for civil and human rights and his selfless sacrifice for his country have inspired millions around the world.   He is a shining exemplar of courage and dedication and a model for generations of civil rights activists, including myself.  It is our hope that the naval troops that ride on this vessel will be inspired – as we are – by the noble life of Medgar Evers,” Jealous said.

His widow, Myrlie Evers-Williams attended the announcement at Jackson State University Friday. She served on the board of directors of the NAACP and was the first full-time chairman of the NAACP from 1995-1998.

“The Navy names ships in the support fleet to honor pioneers, explorers and other notables. The Navy ship honoring Evers is the first named for an African-American since President Barack Obama took office,” according to an Associated Press article. 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Navy Illustration