[Bgs-list] Students arrested

Fri Apr 15 20:04:57 EDT 2016

Bobby,My bad I thought I replied to everyone and was not trying to indict anyone. I just wanted to stand with he kids protest.
Abel

From: Bobby Clark <carlc at clemson.edu<mailto:carlc at clemson.edu>>
Date: Friday, April 15, 2016 6:08 PM
To: Abel Bartley <abartly at clemson.edu<mailto:abartly at clemson.edu>>
Cc: Bryant Smith <smithcan at mac.com<mailto:smithcan at mac.com>>, Jordon Gilmore <jagilmo at clemson.edu<mailto:jagilmo at clemson.edu>>, "bgs-list at mailhost.ces.clemson.edu<mailto:bgs-list at mailhost.ces.clemson.edu>" <bgs-list at mailhost.ces.clemson.edu<mailto:bgs-list at mailhost.ces.clemson.edu>>
Subject: Re: [Bgs-list] Students arrested

Abel,

I think you mistakenly replied to me, instead of Dr. Gilmore who wrote the message, that I commented on. I thought long and hard on whether I should reply directly to you, Brian, or the whole list. In the end, I am deciding to comment to the list because I want to support Jordon and others asking similar questions.

This will be my last comment on the matter in an email.

Since you got me going, let me explain my take to this week’s events. I can (and do) whole-heartedly support the commitment and sacrifice of the five people who were arrested for their beliefs. No one denies their efforts took sacrifice. Nor am I questioning their integrity, intellect, or responsibility (sincerely, Brian).  However, please don’t question others who choose to commemorate a person or an idea through "monuments and plaques" of any type.  They deserved our respect as well.

I am still very troubled by what, I see, is a lack of understanding about Kings’ Philosophy toward non-violent change.

I am a firm believer in that philosophy and its potential to change minds and hearts. I have had numerous conversations with faculty, alumni and staff around this issue. I believe, despite the good intentions of those involved, the movement is not following King's approach to the detriment of our (African American) community's opportunity to address the issues at Clemson. Our goal should be to resolve the issues in best way possible and bring people together. The preparation necessary for this kind of action has been missing, in my opinion.

To make a long story short, there are six steps to King’s philosophy (http://www.thekingcenter.org/king-philosophy) and I believe steps 1 thru4 were skipped and the protest has gone straight to direct action (#5) without enough thought to reconciliation (#6) (Indeed, Justin asks  "What is next?"). In fact, the direct action seems to be the only step we are focusing on, all in the name of “this new kind of movement” and mentality that “the old ways don’t work anymore". That conclusion is a mistake that should be - must be pointed out to those leading the “protest”.  I believe Jordon made a case for that very well – thus my praise.

In case he didn’t, let me point out the dichotomy of the two student protests happening this week. Students who are enraged about the student pricing for football games, could have staged a sit-in the same manner as our students. But their move was to engage their community by doing a petition which gathered 7,000 supporters. Now I don’t equate the issues of diversity with football tickets, but I can’t help but wonder which tactics is more effective. What if our student protesters had done this instead, of a sit-in? How about before they did a sit-in? How would a petition of 20,000 students have been received?

Jordon is not the only one to see that lack of preparation in the protest. Perhaps, you and others need to really listen to him and others as they make similar points.

Given that, I admire you all, in your advocacy, and I will see you all at the next BG lunch.

Bobby
________________________________
Bobby Clark
Manager, Strategic Licensing Planning
CCIT- Internal Operations | Clemson University
(864) 656-0950 | carlc at clemson.edu<mailto:carlc at clemson.edu>

From: Abel Bartley <abartly at clemson.edu<mailto:abartly at clemson.edu>>
Date: Friday, April 15, 2016 at 11:26 AM
To: Bobby Clark <carlc at clemson.edu<mailto:carlc at clemson.edu>>
Subject: Re: [Bgs-list] Students arrested

I think you are missing the point. We had Juan Gilbert whose work was next to none and he had to leave. If we don’t improve the climate we will not be able to do the groundbreaking work that you think is lacking. We need to have some say in asset distribution. That means we have to be at the table. The great work that students faculty and staff are doing is not rewarded presently, why would it change without some pressure?

From: Bobby Clark <carlc at clemson.edu<mailto:carlc at clemson.edu>>
Date: Friday, April 15, 2016 at 11:16 AM
To: Jordon Gilmore <jagilmo at g.clemson.edu<mailto:jagilmo at g.clemson.edu>>
Cc: Abel Bartley <abartly at clemson.edu<mailto:abartly at clemson.edu>>, "bgs-list at mailhost.ces.clemson.edu<mailto:bgs-list at mailhost.ces.clemson.edu>" <bgs-list at mailhost.ces.clemson.edu<mailto:bgs-list at mailhost.ces.clemson.edu>>
Subject: Re: [Bgs-list] Students arrested

Well said.
Bobby

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 15, 2016, at 11:06 AM, Jordon Gilmore <jagilmo at g.clemson.edu<mailto: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<mailto: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<mailto:bgs-list-bounces at mailhost.ces.clemson.edu>> on behalf of "Carter, Justin" <jcarter at swu.edu<mailto:jcarter at swu.edu>>
Date: Friday, April 15, 2016 at 9:40 AM
To: Bryant Smith <smithcan at mac.com<mailto:smithcan at mac.com>>, "Curtis D White Sr." <CDWHITE at clemson.edu<mailto:CDWHITE at clemson.edu>>
Cc: "bgs-list at mailhost.ces.clemson.edu<mailto:bgs-list at mailhost.ces.clemson.edu>" <bgs-list at mailhost.ces.clemson.edu<mailto: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<tel:864-644-5144> | 864-644-5901<tel:864-644-5901> (fax)
www.swu.edu<http://www.swu.edu/>

<image001.jpg><http://www.facebook.com/southernwesleyanuniversity.central>  <image002.jpg><http://www.twitter.com/SWU_edu>  <image003.jpg><http://www.linkedin.com/edu/school?id=19376>  <image004.jpg><http://instagram.com/swu_edu>

From: bgs-list-bounces at mailhost.ces.clemson.edu<mailto: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<mailto: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<mailto: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<tel:864-656-2182>😀

On Apr 14, 2016, at 11:59 AM, Curtis D White Sr. <CDWHITE at clemson.edu<mailto: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<tel:864-656-7625>
Fax: 864-656-1200<tel:864-656-1200>
email:  lalthei at clemson.edu<mailto:lalthei at clemson.edu>

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