What Did Julian Bond Say?
Let us state for the record that we support the concept of a coalition of schools to provide for the education of those who identify themselves as African Americans that has sunset provistions - lets say 40 years.
We believe that Fayetteville State University (FSU) who was cited as one of 20 schools nationwide that create a campus culture that fosters student success is such a school and has made the transition into a school that does a good job of educating students.
It was featured in a listing of colleges appeared in the August 29 edition of USA Today.
Fayetteville State University is a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina and the second-oldest public institution of higher education in the state.
Founded in 1867 as the Howard School for the education of African Americans, today FSU serves a growing student body of more than 5,300 and ranks among the nation’s most diverse campus communities. Enrollment is projected to grow to 6,000 by 2008, and a $45.5-million campus construction and renovation campaign is underway to accommodate additional students.
The university offers 39 undergraduate and 20 master’s degree programs in the arts and sciences, business and economics, and education. New degree programs also have been established, including FSU's first doctoral program in Educational Leadership. And leadership is where our questions start. This was recently posted on the schools web site:
2005-2006 Chancellor's Distinguished Speaker and Fine Arts Series
Chancellor T.J Bryan and the Department of Performing and Fine Arts at Fayetteville State University (FSU), announce its 2005-06 Chancellor's Distinguished Speaker and Fine Arts Series.
All events for the Chancellor's Distinguished Speaker and Fine Arts Series are free and open to the public. For information concerning the Fine Arts Series, contact Dr. Marvin Curtis at (910) 672-1276. For information regarding the Chancellor's Distinguished Speaker Series, please call (910) 672-1474.
Julian Bond
February 1 at 7:00 p.m.
Seabrook Auditorium
Chairman of the NAACP, Julian Bond will be guest speaker on February 1, 2006 to coincide with the Black History Month Kick-off. Mr. Bond was a founder in 1960 of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) while a student at Morehouse College in Atlanta.In 1965, he was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives but was prevented from taking his seat by members who objected to his opposition to the Vietnam War. He was re-elected to his own vacant seat only to be un-seated again and eventually seated after a third election and a unanimous decision of the United States Supreme Court.
He was co-chair of a challenge delegation from Georgia to the 1968 Democratic Convention which led to the successful unseating of Georgia's regular Democrats. He became the first Black to be nominated for Vice-President by any major political party but declined because he was too young.
He is a commentator on America's Black Forum and has narrated documentaries including the Academy Award-winning A Time for Justice and the prize-winning acclaimed series Eyes on the Prize.
and recently
Press Release
02/03/06
Fayetteville State University Responds to Speaker's Comments
Julian Bond, Civil Rights Activist and chairman of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), denied comments attributed to him during a speech made at Fayetteville State University (FSU).
Bond was the guest speaker during the Chancellor's Distinguished Speaker Series Feb. 1 in J.W. Seabrook Auditorium. The following day, nationwide media reported that Bond equated the Republican Party with the Nazi Party, and referred to Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and her predecessor, Colin Powell, as "tokens".
"I didn't say these things I'm alleged to have said," Bond told FSU. "There is no one in the audience who can say I said them. The reporter from the Fayetteville newspaper did not report I said them. I have denied I said them and refuse to engage in a back and forth about what I did say. This is an irresponsible attack by a right-wing blog - a partisan blog - and these kinds of attacks should be expected and dismissed for what they are."
FSU officials reviewed a tape of Bond's speech to verify the alleged comments. Based on the review, it was determined that nowhere during Bond's speech was reference made to the Nazi Party, nor was the word "token" used.
"We received numerous calls and emails from concerned individuals about Mr. Bond's presentation, so we felt compelled to review the tape in an effort to address their concerns," said Jeffery Womble, director of public relations at Fayetteville State University. "After a close review, we have concluded that the comments attributed to Mr. Bond about the Republican Party, Dr. Rice, and Mr. Colin Powell were not made."
Fayetteville State University is a member institution of The University of North Carolina, which says it is committed to equality of educational opportunity and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability."
