[Bgs-list] Students arrested

Fri Apr 15 14:07:56 EDT 2016

Ok I usually would let this last email slide but since it's my son and my desire to support him and his peers I am compelled to respond to this one. Why is it that it has to be either or as if students can't be scholars and activist? I think posing the questions about student success academically and the lack of it is similar to Ray Lewis asking why the Black Lives Matter movement is not focusing on Black on Black violence. They don't because that's not their mission. These students are protesting injustices because that's what they want to focus on. My son's academic life is fine. His contributions to Clemson are numerous. He does know about Dr. Thomas's research. However, even if he didn't know those things or perform well or contribute anything to the institution he pays tuition, has a contract with the University called a mission statement that says he is going to get those things that some people don't think are important but were promised in the contract. Above anything else he is a human being that deserves t be able to attend and study at a place that demonstrates respect to him. I stand by my earlier statement that I am proud of all of those students for taking a stand and hope that as BG.s we would be supportive without questioning their integrity, intellect, or responsibility to other areas and issues. 

Bryant K. Smith
"Human Potential Specialist"

> On Apr 15, 2016, at 11:16 AM, Bobby Clark <carlc at clemson.edu> wrote:
> 
> Well said.  
> Bobby
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> On Apr 15, 2016, at 11:06 AM, Jordon Gilmore <jagilmo at g.clemson.edu> wrote:
> 
>> I may have a different opinion than most, but I think our primary objective should be to increase the capital of the black population at Clemson. The capital at a university is essentially academic in nature. So that means we need to be making good grades and contributing from a research standpoint. Are there injustices that need to be addressed? Certainly, and we should address them. But we make ourselves too easily dismissed when African Americans are the lowest performing demographic academically at the university (fact, from an undergrad perspective). Why can't we march to a study hall? How well attended were the MLK week events? How many students protesting even knew about the work of Dr. Thomas? The fact is, we can't only be a community and show solidarity when someone puts fruit on a sign. What should piss us off more? Fruit on a sign, or the fact that more than half of black males at Clemson have less than a 2.5 GPA after their first semester at Clemson. I mean, we live in South Carolina and we attend a university with a plantation house at the center of campus. Are we shocked by these bananas? We shouldn't be. We must develop our own strong community with a culture of excellence and accountability AS WELL AS stand up to injustice. Let the news cameras come to campus to see the excellent work we are doing. Not just to see if someone will get arrested.
>> 
>> I don't know, just my two cents.
>> 
>>> On Apr 15, 2016 10:49 AM, "Abel Bartley" <abartly at clemson.edu> wrote:
>>> I concur! We need more than monuments, and plaques. We need hard quotas.
>>> Abel Bartley
>>> 
>>> From: <bgs-list-bounces at mailhost.ces.clemson.edu> on behalf of "Carter, Justin" <jcarter at swu.edu>
>>> Date: Friday, April 15, 2016 at 9:40 AM
>>> To: Bryant Smith <smithcan at mac.com>, "Curtis D White Sr." <CDWHITE at clemson.edu>
>>> Cc: "bgs-list at mailhost.ces.clemson.edu" <bgs-list at mailhost.ces.clemson.edu>
>>> Subject: Re: [Bgs-list] Students arrested
>>> 
>>> I am very proud of the Clemson 5 and sticking to their beliefs. The question though is where do students and faculty at Clemson go from here?
>>> 
>>>  
>>> 
>>> In your grace,
>>> 
>>> -JC-
>>> 
>>>  
>>> 
>>> Justin C. Carter, Ph.D.
>>> Associate Vice-President, Student Life
>>> Southern Wesleyan University
>>> 907 Wesleyan Drive | Central, SC  29630
>>> 
>>> 864-644-5144 | 864-644-5901 (fax) 
>>> www.swu.edu
>>> 
>>>  
>>> 
>>> <image001.jpg>  <image002.jpg>  <image003.jpg>  <image004.jpg>
>>> 
>>>  
>>> 
>>> From: bgs-list-bounces at mailhost.ces.clemson.edu [mailto:bgs-list-bounces at mailhost.ces.clemson.edu] On Behalf Of Bryant Smith
>>> Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2016 6:26 PM
>>> To: Curtis D White Sr.
>>> Cc: bgs-list at mailhost.ces.clemson.edu; omega
>>> Subject: Re: [Bgs-list] Students arrested
>>> 
>>>  
>>> 
>>> The university has just arrested the 5 student protestors for not leaving Sikes Hall including A.D. And my youngest son. 
>>> 
>>> Bryant K. Smith
>>> 
>>> "Human Potential Specialist"
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On Apr 14, 2016, at 5:12 PM, Curtis D White Sr. <CDWHITE at clemson.edu> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Stu have been told they will be arrested if they do not lv Sikes Hall by 5:30. They need your presence & prayers
>>> 
>>> C. D. White, Sr.
>>> 
>>> Faculty Development & Diversity Coordinator
>>> 
>>> Chief Diversity Office
>>> 
>>> 218 Long Hall
>>> 
>>> 864-656-2182😀
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On Apr 14, 2016, at 11:59 AM, Curtis D White Sr. <CDWHITE at clemson.edu> wrote:
>>> 
>>> FYI
>>> 
>>> From: Altheia Richardson
>>> Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2016 11:27 AM
>>> To: Jerry Knighton; Curtis D White Sr.
>>> Subject: Benardo's Brother
>>> 
>>> Hey,
>>> 
>>>  
>>> 
>>> I learned a few minutes ago that Benardo’s brother passed away suddenly and he’s on his way to be with his family.  Just FYI in case you didn’t already know.  Please pass this along to the BG’s group. 
>>> 
>>>  
>>> 
>>> Altheia
>>> 
>>>  
>>> 
>>> Altheia Lesley Richardson
>>> 
>>> The Harvey and Lucinda Gantt Multicultural Center
>>> 
>>> Clemson University
>>> 602 University Union
>>> Box 344058
>>> Clemson, SC  29634-4058
>>> Phone: 864-656-7625
>>> Fax: 864-656-1200
>>> email:  lalthei at clemson.edu
>>> 
>>>  
>>> 
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>>> 
>>> 
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