Black Caucus, a Northeastern Illinois University student group, provided free bus rides to and from Cahn Auditorium on Northwestern University’s campus on Nov. 7, 2008 to hear an address by Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Jr. The bus was provided so that Northeastern students could support a student group presentation at Northwestern University. According to Ella Whitehead of Black Caucus: “Black Caucus wants to build bonds with other organizations at other schools like Northwestern and U.I.C.”
The Northwestern event was facilitated by a student group called For Members Only, the Black Student Alliance of Northwestern University. FMO/BSA member Angela Ellington stated: “When Dr. Wright didn’t receive his honorary degree from Northwestern, our student group president, Zachary Parker, wanted to show that we still support Dr. Wright.” Ms. Ellington also stated that this was the first State of the Black Union event for her group and that she hopes it will continue.
The event began with the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and a passionate speech by Jesse Yang, who mentioned the sharp contrast between black population in the country and national prison statistics. He mentioned that the “fight against injustices shouldn’t be limited by race.” The formal welcoming address began with Ayanna Berry, who stated that Northwestern “rescinded on providing Rev. Dr. Wright with an honorary degree.” Next there was a Note of Solidarity segment titled Coalition of Colors, where student groups of various ethnicities were represented on stage by members who made statements.
Mark Crain, Coordinator Emeritus for FMO, spoke. He stated that the recent freshman class at Northwestern contains only 81 black students. He stated this was indicative of Northwestern University’s “…failure to provide a diverse learning environment…” and that “Northwestern doesn’t understand multiculturalism.” After Mr. Crain’s remarks there was a scholarship presentation facilitated by Candace Wells, Historian for FMO. Next, there was a speech by Zachary Parker. A highlight from his speech was when he stated “Our constituents called for diversity before it was popular.”
Mr. Parker mentioned a letter from Northwestern University dated May 4, 1968, in which the school acknowledged racism. The letter was in response to a student takeover of the Bursar’s office on the campus in 1968. Next, Dr. Aldon Morris provided the special introduction of Dr. Wright. Dr. Morris stated that Dr. Wright has written 4 books. He stated that Northwestern University originally planned the honorary degree for Dr. Wright because of “…his decades of work to address serious human problems.”
Dr. Wright took the stage. His topic was “Redeeming and Reclaiming OUR Community.” His speech focused on two main points, “Teaching students to embrace history and culture,” and “Teaching students to embrace a global world view.” He readily admitted that he “…does not stand before you with a master plan…” He began by showing the connection between the ownership of American universities by Christian Churches during their founding. He explained that the culture of the church that was given to black people was a white culture. He stated:” Missionaries taught African’s that European culture was synonymous with Christianity.” Therefore, Dr. Wright stated: “We need to teach our children our story and stop depending on someone to teach our history for us.”
Dr. Wright focused on the importance of teaching students a global world view. As an example, Dr. Wright stated the familiarity with the trans-Atlantic slave trade, but asked “What about the East African slave trade?”
Dr. Wright concluded with the advice to students to “take everything constructive back home to those who gave us birth,” in reference to family members and the surrounding communities that the students came from.
He suggested that the students “Reach back and pull somebody up to a better way of life.” He suggested the students be able to teach and explain what they’ve learned to others in an easy to comprehend style, by stating: “When returning to your communities, put it in a cup that they recognize.” He suggested using this teaching style to avoid confusion and misunderstanding.
A question and answer session followed. Next was a gift presentation and finally there were closing remarks from Nicole Pressley, Treasurer with the FMO. Dr. Conrad Worrill of the Carruther’s Center for Inner City Studies of Northeastern Illinois University, stated “This lecture didn’t have anything to do with media demonization; it was instructions to students about historical continuity (the rise of the student movement, the historical evolution that’s produced blacks, and we shouldn’t get disconnected). He showed the relationship of history to the students, he explained the input of the rise of the black student movement. He had a professorial, lecture style. It was profound.”