Huston-Tillotson University Students Craft a Symbolic Re-enactment in Response to the Death of African American Males
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https://www.youtube.com/user/HustonTillotsonUniv
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Posted By: Huston-Tillotson University on December 15, 2014 (AUSTIN, Texas) 12.15.14 — Student Government Association President Calvin McGhee led his fellow Huston-Tillotson University students through a three-part protest as a collective response toward justice in reaction to recent killings of African American males by law enforcement officials. The symbolic re-enactment to remember Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and Eric Garner included students donning black hoodies, holding their hands up, and laying down in concert. McGhee stressed the power of education as a “weapon” for African American males. “If we have a problem with law enforcement, then we should join and solve the problems. Be the answer to the problem. Be the weapon that God designed us to be.” Martin, age 17, an unarmed African American was shot in 2012 by George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch coordinator for a gated community in Sanford, Florida. His case tested Florida’s “stand your ground” statute. Zimmerman was acquitted by a jury of second-degree murder and manslaughter. Martin was wearing a hoodie. This year, a grand jury failed to indict police officer Daniel Pantaleo for the death of African American Eric Garner. His case was ruled a homicide by the area’s medical examiner’s office. Many around the nation were outraged after watching a video of four police officers restraining Garner with one appearing to use an unauthorized choke hold. Garner mouthed “I can’t breathe,” which became a rallying cry. In August 2014, in Ferguson, Missouri, Michael Brown, another unarmed African American male, was fatally shot by police officer Darren Wilson. A grand jury failed to indict Wilson for Brown’s death. Witness accounts indicated that Brown’s hands were up when he was shot. Furthermore, his body was left on the ground for hours. The local community continues its protest to this day. Huston-Tillotson University, located in Austin, Texas, is one of the oldest historically black colleges west of the Mississippi River. The campus has one of the most diverse student populations in Texas with 70 percent as African Americans and 44 percent male. With many of the students experiencing racial profiling and Austin’s history of its own shootings of African American males by police, students staged the protest in response. Huston-Tillotson University officials added criminal justice as a major in 2003 to enhance career opportunities for students interested in law enforcement, as well as provide professional advancement options for existing law enforcement employees. Austin’s former chief of police taught a semester-long course, solidifying the commitment to improved relationships. Criminal Justice ties with sociology as HT’s third most popular major. HT President and Chief Executive Officer Larry L. Earvin applauded the students’ efforts in response to the racism that they experience. “Racism during the 1960s was overt; today racism is subtle; but it still exists.” Students captured part one of their protest on video located on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/HustonTillots... If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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