Comments on: Land of the Lost

By: Janice Foss

Janice Foss — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:22:24 +0000

….”However, they have also exhibited some of the less favorable traits of the Pakuni: a profound reluctance to defy group (or parental) expectations, a suspicion of new ideas that challenge established systems of belief, and a selfishness that is too often promoted and rewarded by society”

First, I would like to say – how sad. How sad that a different analogy than “Pakuni” could not have been used. Taken in the most positive, open vein, this statement still reeks. Had a white person stated this, even the author of this article would have been up in arms. My question is, when will people like the author of this article get out of the racist stronghold thinking that has perpetuated in America? When will we evolve?

I know you needed to fit the students into your “Land of the Lost” analogy, but please, – stop. Stop for the sake of my son and all of his peers who are doing GREAT things at his HBCU. Take a look at the 2008-2009 Howard University “Whos Who” section and read the “out of the box” tremendous endeavors that these students have engaged in and will continue to engage in. Are they “Pakuni?” This can be stated for all the HBCUs.

Your article seeks to stir up people, but it is generalized and can be applied to any institution of any color. My question to you is “what are you doing to make a difference in the institutions that you are criticizing?” If you are not part of the solution, you are DEFINITELY part of the problem.

Readers, don’t believe the hype. Critical dialogue is always welcome and engagement to improve institutions is always needed; but when we have derogatory generalized statements about our kids coming out of an educated man’s mind, we have to stop and certainly not drink the kool-aid in any shape, form, or fashion. These kids are in college, would we prefer that they stay in the hood or seek quick money? Calibrate your criticism author.

By: Flossie Davis

Flossie Davis — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 21:10:30 +0000

I do not claim to be an authority on HBCUs in any capacity, but what I’d like to explore; make inquiry to the possibility of HBCUs competitiveness in the modern educational marketplace resolve. Is it not as the author noted:leadership styles that are tragically out of step with the needs and responsibilities of the modern university, that which contributed to financial difficulty of several HBCUs in past decades?
I believe the HBCUs are not leveraging the technological resources available today. What can make them more viable is research and unique programs that lend themselves to a more global community. This takes leadership and “can do/yes we can,” pioneering faculty. Leadership fails when there is a lack of support. And support does not preclude leadership skills and initiatives to take “stuff” as Marianne Q. mentioned and turn it back to defeat the demonic culture and/or an antiquated regime. Utilize your leadership and management skills, captialize on human capital strategies. Network with other faculty to implement new research projects via technology. HBCUs need academic distinction along with their historical Black status for recruiting and retaining students. And if you don’t do it, who will. The threat is not in talking about the problem, it is in finding a solution.

By: Emery Petchauer

Emery Petchauer — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:37:57 +0000

I’m gonna be straight with you here, my fellow Philadelphian, and say that I think you’re talkin out both sides of your mouth. You claim personal, professional, and familial allegiance to HBCUs and then–basically–proceed to completely diss them! Really? But I guess you got us reading and talking, right?

By: Marianne Q.

Marianne Q. — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:05:07 +0000

After reading the post I’d like to make several points. I’ve worked in the HBCU system for most of my professional career and have to agree with some of the statements the writer makes. The HBCU system has afforeded me great opportunities and I have to acknowledge that as well as say that I’ve worked with and known some wonderful people.
But, I think at some point you just get very frustrated with the system as a whole because it protects it’s own dysfunction and chides anyone who challenges it. I must also say that although Dr. Gasman’s work is extensive in the area of HBCU’s, and I applaude her work. But I’m tired of White people becoming authorities on our own experiences. Maybe this will push me to be more active as a scholar. But as the writer points out, I’m bogged down in “stuff” and the demonic culture of the institution that I can’t really work as I’d like. I’d also like to point out that white faculty are regarded in a whole different way that Black faculty are in our own institutions–I’ve seen them get away with murder just because they were White or Middle Eastern and the insitution didn’t want to get in a lawsuit with them. So I’ve got to give my brother a thumbs up!

By: HBCUs a “Land of the Lost”? I Don’t Think So « The Academy Speaks

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:05:49 +0000

[...] written by a colleague who has worked in the HBCU community for many years. He titled the post “Land of the Lost“ — after the Sid and Marty Krofft TV show and more recently, the movie. At first glance, I [...]

By: Marybeth Gasman

Marybeth Gasman — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 03:09:02 +0000

Interesting post. I plan on responding to it at length on my blog at Diverse Issues in Higher Education – The Academy Speaks (www.diverseeducation.com).