Egregious Assemblies

Shock and awe! Those are the two words that best describe my reaction to the egregious actions of Dillard Drive Middle School principal Teresa Abron. When first informed of the segregated meetings involving children of color, I strongly felt that the Wake County school board would swiftly respond with strong disapproval. Hearing that the board endorsed the action tells me that the Wake County school system operates in a state of disrepair.
When I was a middle school student at West Millbrook, when two students argued beyond their limits, the teachers either quashed the beef promptly or the students were properly disciplined even if the altercation crossed racial boundaries. Unfortunately, because some administrators embrace criminalized racial stereotypes about students of color, letters like this have to be written.
Excluding Caucasian children, post Jena 6, lacks the basic common sense and racial sensitivity needed to model for students how to function in a 21st century post-modern globalized culture.
W. Russell Robinson
Durham

Published In Ralegh, News and Observer 2/22/08

More Fan Mail

One man's opinion In his letter of July 16, W. Russell Robinson states the following: "These boys have a history of throwing wild parties and underage drinking. These boys ordered up an exotic dancer for delivery." Is he referring to "these boys" as the lacrosse team or the three men charged with felony sexual assault? If it is "these boys" as a team, then how is it justifiable to charge three members of the team with crimes "committed" by the entire team? If it is "these boys" -- the three men charged with felony sexual assault -- then where is the proof that they specifically threw numerous wild parties and ordered an exotic dancer? Robinson is entitled to his opinion but he should at least recognize that opinion needs to be based in some concrete reality and not a figment of one's imagination fueled by hatred of a class of individuals and their families. T. HannanDurhamJuly 18, 2007

NEXT!!!

Bias freely admitted

I wholeheartedly admit, especially to Nancy McCaffrey [Letters, July 9] that, yes, I do have a bias. This could be the reason I submitted my bias/opinion to the opinions page. I welcome all opinions, and I am grateful to The Herald-Sun for publishing not just my opinion but all other opinions, including yours. This, I'm sure you may know, is what Jâ??ºrgen Habermas coined the as public sphere. In fact, if you have read any other of my biased letters, you may have observed the predilection for things that are fair and just. By design or coincidence, I noticed that you failed to mention that I considered former district attorney Mike Nifong's methods "reprehensible." I also observed that you chose not to challenge the facts I presented via ESPN nor take a position on the sexist and bordering on racist slur hurled by Rush Limbaugh. If we can, lets sidestep opinion for a bit and come back to some simple facts. These boys have a history of throwing wild parties and underage drinking. These boys ordered up an exotic dancer for delivery. Do these behaviors personify mature college students? W. RUSSELL ROBINSON Durham July 16, 2007

More Fan Mail

An obvious bias

Regarding W. Russell Robinson's letter of July 2 titled "Familiar Formula": He writes that money was lavishly spent to defend the accused in the Duke case. That it was old money, strategically spent. Does he know the families personally? Does he know where that money came from? Of course not, but it fits his vision, his bias. He refers to the justice served on former district attorney Mike Nifong as a lynching. I believe the word lynching would be more appropriately used to describe the actions served by Nifong, not upon him. Odd choice of words, but it fits his vision, his bias. The accused didn't surrender under the cover of darkness to avoid media scrutiny. Someone made sure the media was alerted and waiting when they turned themselves in and the scene was replayed too many times to count. The innocent lacrosse players were taken to jail with handcuffs. Again, it fits Robinson's vision, his bias. The accuser painted herself as the "stereotypical black Jezebel," something Robinson blames on the defense counsel. She painted herself with her own choices, no one needed to say anything. But it's his vision, his bias. Robinson also wonders if the defense counsel for the declared innocent in the Duke case plan on doing pro bono work for others in jail wrongly accused. Have you asked any of them? Or was that your final shot of your bias and agenda filled letter? So many times Robinson is wrong that his bias is as clear as the facts of this case. It is a shame he chooses to be blinded by the former. Nancy McCaffrey Fuquay Varina July 9, 2007

UnEdited Version of Duke Lacrosse Case

Dear Editor:

In regards to the Duke lacrosse case, first please allow me to say that American justice is the best justice money can buy. As this may represent a victory for the three exonerated players, for the community this episode represents a tremendous loss. Our justice system in North Carolina, it typifies no more than I expected were I privileged and white. If only justice could be this meticulous for all our citizens what a truly great state this would be. But I am not naïve. I am a son of the south albeit, a black sheep of the family. I do know our southern trees have bearded strange fruit in the guise of black men for “allegedly” raping white women let alone look at them. As I am happy to see this ordeal come to closure to some degree, I must also ask not just the families of the exonerated players but also supporters of this duke lacrosse case, how does it feel to be wrongfully accused in a matter of race and rape? True to form as many legal scholars have predicted, the case where a black woman may be the victim of a rape and her alleged assailants are white, rarely does the case ever see the inside of a court room. Again I reiterate, had these families come from different zip codes and attended a less prestigious institution these boys would be in jail right now at the mercy of a public defender, let alone an overly aggressive inmate as opposed to the media campaigns demonstrated. Did anyone ask why their perp walk took place in the wee hours of the morning dresses as though they were going to college interviews? It was a PR move well orchestrated by the defense and the media. I would love to see the final legal bill for this case and come back to the question is there really justice for all. To me this is one the causes of my ever going bout with White People Fatigue Syndrome.

W. Russell Robinson

Durham, NC

The End of the Duke Lacrosse Case -- Edited

Justice for some

In regards to the Duke lacrosse case, allow me to say that American justice is the best justice money can buy. This may represent a victory for the three exonerated players, but for the community this episode represents a tremendous loss. Of our justice system in North Carolina, it typifies no more than I expected were I privileged and white. If only justice could be this meticulous for all our citizens, what a truly great state this would be. But I am not naive. I am a son of the South, albeit a black sheep of the family. I do know our southern trees have bearded strange fruit in the guise of black men for "allegedly" raping white women, let alone looking at them. As I am happy to see this ordeal come to closure to some degree, I must also ask not just the families of the exonerated players but also supporters of this Duke lacrosse case, how does it feel to be wrongfully accused in a matter of race and rape? True to form, as many legal scholars have predicted, the case where a black woman may be the victim of a rape and her alleged assailants are white, rarely does the case ever see the inside of a courtroom. Again I reiterate, had these families come from different zip codes and attended a less prestigious institution, these boys would be in jail right now at the mercy of a public defender. W. RUSSELL ROBINSON Durham April 14, 2007 Published In the Durham Herald Sun

That Damn Duke Lacross Case

Sick of lacrosse case

---

I am so sick of hearing about the Duke lacrosse rape case. I thought I was pretty fed up when the local and national press descended like the proverbial locusts earlier this spring.

Admittedly I was peeved because I couldn't get my hair done at the Artistry Academy located on the same street. But that was April. This is December and I will be darned if I didn't see the beginnings of another media parade.

Here's a question. What is so newsworthy about this story? Has reporting this story ad nauseam effectively changed the relations along the divides of race, gender and class in this city? Someone please explain to me how this "news opera" contributes to information that effectively governs the daily course of our lives.

For me, as an instructor of mass communications, the biggest shame of this news debauchery was that pioneer African American journalist Ed Bradley's last piece for "60 Minutes dealt with this episodic, trivial pursuit. This case is not about truth and justice yet ironically it still is about the American way: money. I am sure if these indicted players hailed from lower tax brackets, there would be no high price defense team.

W. Russell Robinson
Durham
December 23, 2006

Orginally Published in

Durham HeraldSun

Comments on the Duke 44

Welcome to my world

orginally published June 3rd 2006 Durham Herald-Sun

Reading John McCann's column asking if the 44 other lacrosse players can go back to "normal," I have to respond with a witticism from my late grandfather about the "the devil's advocate." He'd say, "de devil don't need no advocate," and, in this case, I strongly agree.

Further, this issue of "normal" begs definition. What is "normal" and who has the luxury of defining what is "normal" within this society? Does it mean returning to a life of white male privilege with impunity? If so, never let their lives be normal again.

This pseudo/macho "Tom Cruise/Clint Eastwood" emblem of normal must go with all deliberate speed. Could it be that the "Duke 44" now must wear the scarlet letter linking them to an episode so disgustingly vile that it would make their grandmothers cry? Or does it mean that the "Duke 44" now and forever shall be presumed guilty before they are proven innocent? In a word, yes. Is this a bad thing? Maybe. Did I write the rules to this game? No.

However, this is in fact what American justice looks like -- the American Express race card, where membership has its privileges. No professor at Duke or N.C. Central could teach them this valuable lesson in critical and arguably critical race theory. The lesson is what it is like to be among the marginalized, the "not normals," in short, the stigmatized. Welcome to my world.

W. RUSSELL ROBINSON

'Good old boy' network still exists in state jobs

Originaly Published Herald-Sun
October 17, 2003
Section: Editorial
Edition: Final
Page: A12

As a budding black Ph.D. (poor, harassed and depressed), I pose a serious question. Is indentured servitude still in effect? I was prompted to research a bit of state personnel policy when I learned of an eye- opening report discussing a double standard within state government. At its epicenter were African-American men. What once was a "good old boy" network now has been upgraded to the 21st century.

Oddly, few knew of this report's existence. The project, commissioned by the governor and the director of the Office of State Personnel focused on three agencies where African-American men are most employed: the Department of Transportation, Health and Human Services and the Corrections Department. However, these practices, I venture to say, extend beyond these three agencies.

According to this report, African-American men are at greater risk of 1) inequitable pay for duty that goes "above and beyond;" 2) extreme disciplinary action, i.e. demotion, suspension and or termination in lieu of alternative means of resolution; 3) reviewer bias in performance evaluations.

These are only three of 14 major concerns regarding African-American men. What was most frightening was this: If African-American men are ambitious, supervisors will cut off opportunities and control access to information and resources.

So characteristics of being aggressive, assertive and ambitious are lauded in our white counterparts; whereas in contrast, those identical characteristics work against African-American males. Our view of aggressive may be perceived as threatening. To be assertive means uppity, i.e. insubordinate. Heavens forbid we become ambitious, for that is the double whammy; challenging and non-cooperative.

As time changes, so does terminology, but what remains constant is the chattel ideology. Until radically modified, the state will continue to be a "peculiar institution" empowering questionable managers as overseers. Our self-esteem is lashed by the whip of the disciplinary policy while our sprit has been numbed to the slammed doors of inaccessibility. Our final resting place: a systematic, possibly fraudulent dismissal, aka -- a lynching.

RUSSELL ROBINSON

Editor's note: The length rule for letters was waived.

Family Business and the N Word

Family business
The word "nigger," used by the wrong people, in the wrong context, will reap serious consequences, repercussions, lacerations and possible concussions ["The N-word," March 6]. If this book is a prelude to the next level of African-American scholarship, then there is more to the phrase "Higher Learning." Forget phonics, this academician is hooked on crack.

"Nigger" may never be erased from our lexicon. However, more worthy of debate is the nonverbal systemic employ of this pejorative. Let's start with the obvious, Randall Kennedy. Is it apropos for an African-American professor to profit by sharing despicable "family business," under the guise of intellectualism? At the risk of offending readers, it looks more like intellectual masturbation and a cheap way to make a buck.

Switching gears, let's revisit this year's Grammy ceremony. Why is it that Alicia Keys wins five awards while India.Arie wins none? Both sisters are talented as Keys has tapped the mainstream white audience while Arie has a more Afrocentric fan base. Could it be that money is the common denominator and the fair-skinned Keys, backed by the Clive Davis music factory, is less threatening than brown-skinned Arie?

What of the "niggarocity" that plagues our school systems? When discussing the achievement gap and the digital divide, black and brown children represent a disproportionate number of the disenfranchised. Money plus position and influence equals accessibility to training, resources and opportunity. What used to be Jim Crow, we now refer to as redistricting.

Lastly, what of the anti N-word machine aka the court system? In the prophetic words of Redd Foxx, "There are enough N-words in here to make a Tarzan movie."

In short, words say nothing; actions say all. This book is like putting out a fire with gasoline. Shall we light a match and pray?
--RUSSELL ROBINSON, DURHAM

On White News Media

Black stereotypes on TV

http://www.heraldsun.com/images/tanline.gif
Why is it that after a TV news story discussing panhandling aired March 13, the visual image of the panhandler must be an African-American male? Is it an edict from the "David Duke School of Journalism?" Panhandlers come in a wide assortment of colors.

That said, I am baffled by an African-American Triangle broadcaster's journalistic decision to select an African-American male to represent panhandling. Fact: A cornerstone of the National Association of Black Journalists is to "monitor the national media for discrimination and other injustices to people in the African Diaspora in their coverage and employment practices." Fact: reporters filter news content. Fact: This reporter had an opportunity to present this story in a racially balanced manner and chose not to do so. I ask why.

This type of capricious news judgment contributes greatly to the egregious racial insensitivity embedded in news. That said, what is the purpose of news? Is it an agent of political agenda or is it a tool for discourse and social justice? I think the latter.

As opposed to objectifying the indigent and destitute already rendered moot by the larger society, why not challenge the political and societal constructs, i.e. "Why do panhandlers have to get registered with the city?"

As a student of mass communication and media studies I am disappointed.

However, as an African-American man, to see this capitulation by the "Dubosian 10 percent," it simply embarrasses me.

W. RUSSELL ROBINSON
Durham
March 16, 2006

White People Fatigue Syndrome

Dear Editor:
In this season of giving, why is it that certain white folks continue to give black folks the same gift year after year, a hard time? This year, I have fallen victim to an acute attack of WPFS better known as White People Fatigue Syndrome. With serious consideration, the AMA could classify this as a legitimate medical disorder as research studies link racism to hypertension. In the midst of our holiday shopping, my wife and I contracted this disorder after coming in contact with this infectious white woman. At South Point Mall while looking at Christmas gifts, this contagious disease carrier, in her late 50s early 60s brushed by us as though we were not there, simply invisible. (It’s hard to believe that two Black people, one with locked hair could be invisible at a Banana Republic) Ten minutes later, a sales associate who was consciously helping this same woman ignored our presence to take a sweater we were both looking at, to promptly deliver to her. Discombobulated and overwrought, we firmly corrected this gross misstep resulting in our immediate visibility. Evidently, the assumption of visibility personifies being human which appears to be exclusive for white people, at least according to Peggy McIntosh, the authority on Whiteness studies. Investigating the social theories of “whiteness,” is nothing compared to the actual experience of its aloof normalizing effect. To be rendered visible and invisible within one second, on demand, in a proprietary manner, can force any person of color to a state of psychological trauma. Just once, could these “good intentioned” white folks give black folk something different for Christmas, some peace and genuine goodwill?