A Message from Morehouse: Robert M. Franklin's Speech

“The Soul of Morehouse and the Future of the Mystique”

President’s Town Hall Meeting
Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
11 a.m.

(The following is an excerpt from prepared remarks delivered by Dr. Robert M. Franklin to
the students of Morehouse College.)


…I’d like to address a subject that is vital to every man of Morehouse, namely,
the soul of Morehouse and the future of the Mystique.

I have tried to translate the mystique into terms more comprehensible to the
public. So, you have heard my vision language on many occasions and many of
you have already begun to interpret and apply this vision in creative ways. Here
is the vision in eight simple words:

Renaissance Men with social conscience and global perspective.
Morehouse produces such leaders in a very special kind of community; we call
it “The Brotherhood.” … [The Morehouse Mystique] is a distinctive and
mysterious bond between good men that strengthen us when we’re together and
sustains us when we’re apart and until we meet again. It is captured in rituals
like the College hymn. Show me one other college that sings its hymn in a
manner where a mystical bond seems to radiate above and within the members.
This is Morehouse. It cannot be reduced to words or data.

But after two years, I have learned something that I did not [know] before. One
of the critical ingredients in the Morehouse mystique is a fundamental sense of
discontent with mediocrity and nonsense. Morehouse men bond around their
complaints about how Morehouse often functions or ‘dysfunctions.’ In other
words, you cannot be a Morehouse Man in the making—a Renaissance Man
with social conscience and global perspective—unless you are uneasy about the
human condition. I want each of you to have a healthy impatience with the
status quo. And I will declare at every Morehouse commencement that
Morehouse men must be so sensitive to the presence of disorder, mediocrity and
injustice that they cannot sleep well at night until they tip the scale toward
justice. Unto whom much is given, much is required.


THE SOUL IN DISTRESS


But today, our soul is sick and our mystique is threatened. Not for want of more
financial resources. We have never had enough money. (And, it is amazing that
we continue to produce Ivy League results with HBCU resources.) Nor is the
mystique threatened by what the Harvard historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr. called
“discrepancies between our rhetoric and our reality.” Every institution has its
discrepancies and gaps in quality and performance. My administration is fully
committed to eradicating and alleviating Morehouse discrepancies and I trust
that you see evidence of progress….

Our soul is threatened by the presence of a few people inside and outside the
Morehouse village who are spiritually ill and disoriented. So, I’d like to speak
very directly to those men and women, but primarily to men of Morehouse. As
all of you listen to these remarks, I want you to do two things: first, help us to
disseminate this message widely, especially to our brothers who were unable or
unwilling to join the president in this historic chapel meeting….

Second, to those who have not yet committed to the Renaissance and renewal of
Morehouse, I want you to listen and make a decision about whether you should
remain at Morehouse. I know that a few of you are enrolled because it was
mama’s or daddy’s dream. But, if it isn’t your dream, you should exercise the
discernment and the courage to transfer to a more suitable environment. There
are a lot of schools out there that would love to have a young man who
qualified for admission to Morehouse. And remember that there are thousands
of brothers out there who did not receive a Morehouse admission letter.


A PIVOTAL DATE FOR THE MOREHOUSE RENAISSANCE

On this day, April 21st, I want to set forth and clarify the expectations of the
Morehouse Renaissance. This date is pregnant with meaning. According to
tradition and myth, on April 21, 753 B.C., Romulus and his twin brother,
Remus, founded Rome, perhaps the first great international city, the first world
house. Today, I use that event to symbolize the groundbreaking of a renewed
Morehouse as world house.

I have articulated five attributes of the Renaissance Man. My staff calls them the
“Five Wells.” Well read, spoken, traveled, dressed and balanced. (To remember
them in order, remember that “R,S,T” are consecutive letters of the alphabet.
You’re on your own for remembering the final “D” and “B.”) I want to highlight
three of these today: reading (or the life of the mind), speech and dress.

· Well-read. You have seen that HBCUs face a crisis of graduating
students, especially black men. In many schools, less than 29% of the
men enrolled graduate within six years. This year, Morehouse is
reporting a rate of 67%, which is exceptional to most people—but not
good enough for Morehouse. Last week, at the student election debate, I
heard a candidate announce an initiative called “GOT: Graduate On
Time.” Perhaps more parents should follow the model of elite institutions
that award scholarships. They pay for eight semesters, period, and only if
the student maintains a 3.0 GPA.

· Last week, the College honored several hundred men who earned a place
on the Honor Roll at Morehouse College. Recently, a record was set as
688 students (out of our 2,600 total) earned the distinction of Dean’s List
placement. I challenged all of my students to aim for this honor and then
to aim higher. But, if you need assistance, be man enough to ask for help
rather than fail a course. Our teachers are smart, but most of them cannot
read your mind or follow the games some students play to pass courses
without really learning much.

· It gives me heartburn to mention this topic, but there is the matter of
academic dishonesty. During my time here, we heard the joke, ‘All work
and no plagiarism make for dull papers.’ Some of you are smart, but not
as smart as you think. We know about using technology to cheat, about
texting answers into exams. Brothers, someone is paying for a
Morehouse education. Shouldn’t you be trying to get it? Do the right
thing.

· I have seen too many students standing in lines wasting time. You should
carry something to read and make good use of your down time. Read
books, not just summaries of books. Choose an accomplished and prolific
writer as a role model. But just as important—if not more—study
grammar and syntax and the art of composition. General Education at
Morehouse seeks to teach and encourage you to apply these fundamental
rules. Learn the power of accurately constructed sentences and well positioned
words.

· It matters how well you write. Each of you must be able to write a solid
personal statement for a job, graduate application or a fellowship. Once
you have been accepted into the prestigious programs, it is crucial to be
able to write flawless research papers, theses and dissertations. And on
an ongoing basis, your written communications with superiors and
colleagues in the workplace are of even more importance. I do not want
employers or professors to call us and ask, ‘How did Morehouse graduate
a student who writes so poorly?’

· If you are not learning, if you need a tutor, ask for help. Morehouse
provides tutors and we are about to establish a more comprehensive
mentoring program inspired by a student-led movement called
Resurgence of the Crown….

· … The Renaissance Man is well-spoken. He chooses his words
carefully. This reduces the necessity of relying on profanity or empty
verbal placeholders like, ‘um, um, ahh…’ or nonsense like ‘you know
what I’m saying, you know what I’m saying?’
· Strive to have something valuable to say, and be in possession of elegant
words and phrases that allow you to effectively communicate complex
emotions and ideas. Profanity does not reflect your verbal grace and
style. It suggests a lazy mind and is contrary to the Morehouse ideal…


EXPECTATIONS FOR THE RENAISSANCE

· In the matter of violence. Morehouse will be a campus of peace and
justice. We will be a violence-free zone. … We have an excellent judicial
council and it will continue to render decisions in student misconduct
cases. But, I intend to take a personal interest in brothers who try to
resolve conflict by violent means….

· In the matter of gender relations, Morehouse will be a community that
respects women. We will be a community of zero tolerance for sexual abuse,
date rape, prostitution, pimping and other forms of illegal behavior….

· In the matter of customer service and professionalism, Morehouse will
operate in accord with the best practices of a selective, private college. I
have heard your call for improved customer service. It is outrageous to learn
that occasionally a faculty or staff member has behaved in ways that fall
below Morehouse standards. We will not tolerate this. But, at the same time,
we expect every one of you to show respect to all faculty and staff.

· It is unacceptable to be demanding or demeaning, threatening or
challenging, insulting or inflammatory. We are here to meet your needs, but
the staff and faculty are not obligated to yield to rudeness….

· The other issue concerns our campus and its conservation efforts. We are
becoming a greener Morehouse. We will improve utilization of energyefficient
light bulbs and paper recycling. I want to thank students and alumni
for working with my team to accomplish this.

· As for our attractive ambience, we employ the services of professionals to
help maintain the grounds of the campus. …We have a collective
responsibility to ensure the cleanliness and hygiene of our dorm rooms,
classrooms, bathrooms and the entire campus. If I can stoop to pick up trash,
may I ask that you do the same?

· After all of the filth and trash that the slave system forced us to endure, how
can we deliberately litter our campus with flyers and handbills? I have asked
our General Counsel to prepare a legal communication to the companies that
are employing people to dump handbills on our campus grounds....


SQUARING IDENTITY AND ETHICS: A CAMPUS IMPERATIVE

In the matter of diversity, Morehouse will be a safe, respectful campus that
balances personal liberty with the responsibility of membership in a moral
community. Morehouse is blessed with a variety of diversity assets. You hail from
43 different states and 27 different countries. You are diverse in ethnicity and race,region, socio-economic background, culture, religion, political loyalty and personal interest. But all of you can and will become Renaissance Men.

As an all-male institution with the explicit mission of educating men with
disciplined minds, perhaps the great challenge of this moment in history is our
diversity of sexual orientation. … Part of our greatness lies in our ability to accept men of quality who wish to uphold the Morehouse mystique. We do not pry into a
person’s private identity; nor do we wish to have identity paraded in an undignified
manner. We do demand that everyone aspire to high ethical standards and
responsible community behavior. Identity must always square with, and yield to,
ethics.

…I have appointed a committee on Diversity and Tolerance to review the
effectiveness of what we have done and are currently doing. You will hear more in
the fall. But, let me be clear: three basic principles will govern our life together in this moral community:

1. The principle of safety and security. Anthropologist Abraham Maslow
has observed that if people do not feel secure, not much else will matter.
Every student, staff and faculty member must feel safe and secure in the
Morehouse community.…

2. The principle of diversity. It is a privilege to study and live in a diverse
community. People often assume that an HBCU is less diverse than other
majority institutions. Well, I’ve been a student and taught at majority
institutions and they are hardly more diverse than Morehouse. We have a
small percent of non-African American men. Most majority schools have
a small percent of nonwhite students.

· Since we are unique, why don’t we use this opportunity to model
something our community needs? Straight men should learn more about
the outlooks and contributions of gay men. Read a book by a gay author.
Have an intelligent conversation with a gay neighbor. At a time when it
was truly scandalous to have homosexual friends or associates, Dr. King
looked to Bayard Rustin, a black gay man, as a trusted adviser. And,
Malcolm X regarded James Baldwin, a black gay man, as a brilliant
chronicler of the black experience. To my straight brothers, diversity at
Morehouse is an opportunity that can enrich your education if you are
courageous enough to seize the opportunity. We cannot force you, but we
invite you to learn from your environment.

3. The principle of decorum. Decorum is a Latin word that means orderly,
dignified, becoming and handsome. …

· Here, I offer a word about being well-dressed, the fourth of the
“Well” attributes. I have not desired to be overly prescriptive about
this. You do not have to wear a tie and jacket to class, although no one
would object to it. You’re a college student. You can enjoy yourself
while wearing comfortable clothing that respects the fact that you are
part of a community of educated and ethical men…

· We cannot monitor what you wear when you leave campus, but
while you are on the Morehouse campus, in the presence of adult
learners, do not sag your pants, do not show your undergarments.
Do not wear do-rags, and do not wear baseball caps in class or in
the cafeteria. …

· And, to those who would experiment with wearing clothing
associated with a women’s garb (dresses, tunics, purses and
pumps) I am directing that you not exhibit these items on the
Morehouse campus. Wear what you wish to off campus. But, while
you are here on the ground where Mays and Martin and Maynard
walked, those items are off limits. A man in women’s clothing on
campus is provocative and will not be tolerated.

I want to establish a culture of high expectation and encouragement, not one of
enforcement and harassment. But, I ask you to work with me to restore the
Morehouse that our mothers and fathers prayed and sighed for.


THE CONCLUSION OF THE MATTER

So, in summary, I want to say that Morehouse is your house. You must take
responsibility for its excellence.

…If you cannot follow the guidelines of a moral community, then leave. Change
your behavior or separate from this college.

…If you want to be part of something rare and noble, something that the world has
not often seen—a community of educated, ethical, disciplined black men more
powerful than a standing army—then you’ve come to the right place….

Up you mighty men of Morehouse, you aristocrats of spirit, you can
accomplish what you will!

Watch: MTV presents Pedro

The HBCU Program got this alert from the HRC Communications Department:


In 1994, Pedro Zamora captured the hearts of millions on MTV’s The Real World: San Francisco as the first-ever openly gay, HIV-positive main character on a national television show. Pedro is an intimate bio pic tracing his humble Cuban immigrant roots to his courageous rise to national prominence as the most recognizable HIV-AIDS activist in the United States. The world premiere of Pedro provides us with a unique opportunity to begin an honest discussion about the realities of sexually transmitted infections.

To carry on Pedro’s fight, we want to encourage all sexually active people to get tested. To make this as easy and fun as possible, we set up an SMS code so all anyone has to do is text their zip code to 49809 and they will get a text back with the location of the nearest testing center. In addition, everyone who texts that SMS code will automatically be registered to win a trip for 2 people to the 2009 MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles! Not a bad deal for doing something we should all be doing anyway right?

Watch the trailor here!

Black gays celebrate Obama’s win

The Washington Blade steps into the black LGBT community to get their take on the Obama victory:

Black lesbian activist Sheila Alexander-Reid, founder of D.C. based Women in the Life, is struggling to put her thoughts into words on the morning of Nov. 5.

“I am so incredibly exhausted,” she says.

Reid is speechless for other reasons, too. She cannot believe that the U.S. has elected a black man to its highest office.

Carlene Cheatam, a lesbian activist and one of the original organizers of D.C. Black Pride, said that on election night, she was “totally filled.”

Though she had never really thought about whether she’d see a black president in her lifetime, she said she “knew he would win.”

“The impact that he has on people here and around the world, I think, is amazing, and I’m grateful to be here today,” she says.

Alexander Robinson, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition, a black gay group, said he had faith the American people would eventually support a black president, but didn’t believe it would happen this soon.

Earline Budd, longtime transgender rights activist and former executive director of Transgender Health Empowerment Inc., said that as an HIV-positive transgender woman, Obama’s presidency means health services that are important and vital to her life will not be eliminated and will be given more consideration.

Budd worked to get transgender people in D.C. registered to vote in time for the election. A lot of her clients, she said, were voting for the first time.

And she admits that she never thought she’d see this day.

These longtime gay and black activists professed their belief that the administration of president-elect Barack Obama will be the best in history on gay rights.

Find more after the jump...

Dallas Southern Pride adds black/Latino summit, literary reading to 2008 event schedule

By Ben Briscoe
Sep 25, 2008



Dallas Southern Pride, an annual celebration for the African-American LGBT community, will run Oct. 2-5 and has a significantly different direction this year than in the past, according to organizers.

“Last year there was a big focus on parties, but this year we are going to focus on our daytime events as well,” said Cochair Venton Jones. “The community felt the need to extend our programming and services to foster holistic change with African-American, Latino and LGBT communities.”

Jai Makokha, of Legacy of Success Foundation, is excited about the new direction.

“I think the coordinators are bringing a much warranted change,” he said. “This event is really about uplifting the community, and I think this will do that.”

This year’s theme for the event, which normally draws about 10,000 people, will be “Come Out and Play.” The two biggest additions to the celebration will be a literary reading showcasing national black LGBT authors and the “National Black & Brown Summit.”

The reading will bring in Michael Christopher, Fiona Zedde, Tim’m T. West, Nikki Rashan. It will take place Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m at the same location as all of the other Southern Pride events, Sterling Hotel Dallas.

Find more after the jump...

ATL Black Pride This Weekend

FOR MANY, LABOR DAY WEEKEND is the unofficial end of summer, offering one last opportunity to grill out, picnic or catch a fireworks show. But with Atlanta’s Black Gay Pride Celebration taking place Aug. 27-Sept. 1, the holiday weekend also offers some alternative festivities.

“Time to Act” is the theme this year, a nod to the impending presidential election. But politics and activism will be only one aspect of the festivities. In fact, from a candlelight vigil at Tabernacle Baptist Church on Aug. 27 to a Girls in the Night outing to Magic City strip club Aug. 28, revelers will have opportunities for both sin and salvation.

For those more interested in the artistic side of things, there will be an erotic night of poetry, painted models and late-night dancing at SpeakFire on Aug. 29 and an all-female performance of “Walk Like A Man” at the Woodruff Arts Center on Aug. 30. And the “See Us in the Life” film festival will feature independent films and animated features revolving around topics relevant to African-Americans in the gay community.

Other festivities include various workshops and seminars, a health expo, fashion shows and nightly outings to area clubs. And the vendor area will offer clothing, artwork, home décor, and various other goods.

• THE 411: Black Gay Pride Celebration. $20-$85. Aug. 27-Sept. 1. W Atlanta Hotel, 188 14th St. N.E., Midtown. 404-683-1239 .... http://www.atlantablackgaypride.com/

By JONATHAN WILLIAMS For accessAtlanta August 21, 2008

Straight Pride has a "homophobic agenda"

By Tony Grew of Pink News July 8, 2008

Plans for a so-called "Straight Pride" in New York, promoted by a reggae music label, have been criticised by a leading campaigner against homophobia.

The event, due to be held next month, is billed as "a chance for heterosexuals to gather together and proudly embrace their sexuality and celebrate reggae, dancehall and family in love and unity."

Peter Tatchell and the Stop Murder Music campaign have targeted homophobia and anti-gay lyrics in reggae music, leading to artists having their concerts cancelled or being refused entry into the EU.

The "Straight Pride" is promoted by record label TCOOO, who claim "the gay community went after artists … we decided that we must make a show of strength."

"The US is a free country," said Mr Tatchell.

"Let them have their misnamed Straight Pride parade.

"They say it is a celebration of heterosexuality, but really it’s a promotion of straight supremacism. Their parade is driven by a homophobic agenda.

"They defend artists who incite hatred and violence against LGBT people.

"The organisers falsely claim that the Stop Murder Music campaign is an attack on reggae music. Nonsense.

"It is an attack on a small number of reggae singers who have perverted reggae's message of peace, love and justice.

"They have betrayed the liberation ideals of the reggae pioneers and are hijacking the genre to turn it into an anthem of homophobic hatred and violence.

"They are encouraging civil war in the black community. They want black straight people to kill black lesbians and gay men.

"These idiots don't even realise that one of Bob Marley's most famous songs contains lyrics that send a coded message of support and solidarity to black gay men. It's called No Women No Cry.

"We play the song in gay clubs. People sing along and add the words that Marley dared not himself say: 'No woman, no cry … when you got gay guy.'"

Reggae performer Jango Fresh said in a press release:

"The Straight Pride parade is a great idea because when a song like Hit Them Hard by my label mate Stapler can be banned just because it stresses the importance of a male and a female in every family, it is a sign that heterosexuals need to wake up."

The song in question contains the lyrics:

Jah Jah gonna hit them hard
All the men who visit men backyard

Leaving all the women to starve
One thunder ball and all of them pause

Hand in hand with my lady
Hug her and kiss her cause she carried my baby

But some boys moving shady
While am chilling on the ends making sweet love to Sadie

All I know am here to produce and all the ladies you are my friends
From the past, the present, the future my girl, love and respect to the end

The world is spinning and everything in it
Mankind lose their way, some gone past their limit

Am here to advice (sic) and to be a critic
Be careful of the lifestyle you choose to exhibit

Children live what they learn
Aren't you concerned

of your choices in society
We need to preserve the value of a male and a female in every family.

Paterson Is Cheered At NYC's Gay Pride Parade

Gay residents cheered Gov. David Paterson on Sunday as he joined the city's annual gay pride march a month after he directed state agencies to provide full marriage benefits to same-sex couples who were legally married elsewhere."What he did ... sends a message that leadership isn't about waiting. It's about finding the opportunity. It's about finding the way to move progress and civil rights forward," said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, the city's most powerful openly gay elected official.Tens of thousands of gay people and their supporters marched down Manhattan's Fifth Avenue in the always colorful celebration, which is officially called the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride March. A violent thunderstorm halfway through did not halt the parade.

There were floats, marching bands, stilt walkers, motorcycle riders and bicycle riders wearing T-shirts that said "bike-sexual."
"I think it's sensational," said Dolores Stoia, who watched from behind police barricades. "I'm not really a big fan of parades, but it's very entertaining."

Paterson, the first New York governor to march in the gay pride parade, took part even though he had surgery to remove a cataract on Saturday."The doctors told me I couldn't march today," he said. "I ran 8 1/2 miles Friday. I can march today. And I will."

Even though gay couples cannot legally marry in New York, Paterson said last month that the state must recognize marriages legally performed in other states and countries that allow gay marriage.

Read the Full Article

AP article by KAREN MATTHEWS -- June 30, 2008

Image of City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Gov. Paterson and Mayor Bloomberg at the 39th Annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride March along Fifth Ave. in Manhattan Sunday. Credits: Mariela Lombard Published: 06/29/2008 20:31:59

Seattle Black Pride Calls It Quits

Seattle Black Pride retroactively closed up shop on Sunday calling the dissolution "bitter sweet". The Northwest organization brought LGBT Black folks together for one of the most anticipated events on the West Coast. Seattle Black Pride has also canceled their Pride 2008 event - scheduled on the weekend of July 18-20. The organization's board blamed a lack of leadership and basic exhaustion for halting all operations stating, “The commitment of providing leadership to an organization such as [Seattle Black Pride] was more than what people were able to commit to for various reasons. For the past several months the organization has operated with three Board members and as you can imagine, the demand has been overwhelming."

Seattle Black Pride, a partner with the Human Rights Campaign, not only organized the Black Pride summer event, but also was responsible for much of Seattle's city scene by managing and promoting events such as drag performances, the annual New Year's Eve party, and providing HIV/AIDS Prevention services. "We have had the opportunity to provide space for individuals to connect and form support systems for one another," says Seattle Black Pride president Kiantha Duncan.

It is sad to see them go. I can only hope another organization will step up and fill the void SBP has left. In true dramatic fashion, SBP’s famous last words were, “Together we gave voice and visibility to our Black GLBT community in a way that cannot be forgotten.”

FYI: Seattle Black Pride 2008 would have been the city's 4th annual Black Pride event.

Birmingham Pride is maybe a Go! Mayor Langford is a definite Jerk

The Bad News: The mayor of Birmingham Larry Langford refuses to sign a proclamation allowing for the city of Birmingham to have their 20th annual Gay Pride Parade.

The Good News: The city of Birmingham's permit applications do not require a signature (or comment) from the mayor.

On Friday, Mayor Langford refused to sign Birmingham's pride proclamation. On Saturday, he clarified his position, saying that although he disagrees with the event, he would not restrict the parade’s application. The mayor stated, "I don't think I'm intolerant; I just don't condone the lifestyle. I'm not going to endorse, condone, or condemn anybody. I'm just not going to sign the proclamation." In other words, he condones the sinner, but not the sin. Way to make variations on a demeaning and oppressive strand of words, Mr. Mayor. Luckily, requests for parade permits go through the police department, not the mayor's office.

It is still unclear whether the Birmingham police department will allow the parade due to the negative comments made by the influential executive. Birmingham Pride president Johnathan Quinn is optimistic saying, "Central Alabama Pride is going to stand firm in who we are. We are proud every day, and we're building a stronger community, whether it's signed off on or not."

Read more: http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid54943.asp

Ain't No Shame in It

If you’re in DC, you are probably looking out your window and seeing the more than usual hustle and bustle of the city. You might think to yourself, “Man, DuPont Circle looks a lot Blacker than usual,” or, as Haley Joel Osment would say, “I see Black people.” There is a reason why so many beautiful, dark skinned brothers and sisters are crowding the streets, sitting next to you on the metro, and buying you drinks at the club. IT’S DC BLACK PRIDE!!!! There are events all week like tonight’s fashion show and speed dating, film festivals and poetry slams, concerts, dance parties, my oh my I'm overwhelmed. The don’t miss event will be Sunday’s Liberty-Unity-Strength festival on Francis Field on N Street – look out for HRC’s booth. How could I forget!? Fantasia from American Idol and the Broadway hit musical The Color Purple will be performing Sunday night. Just as an FYI, tickets are a mint unless you buy them in advance.

If you want to come to DC Black Pride but you would rather work it than play it, contact Shelena Williams – Black Pride’s President Courtney Snowden’s first lady – for volunteer opportunities. We need all the help we can get on any day we can get it.

If you are not in DC, then make like a Hostess truck and haul your sweet buns over here!

Black Pride 08’s Home page: http://www.dcblackpride.org/
Shelena Williams volunteer coordinator: shelenaw@att.blackberry.net