Last night, I penned an article attempting to make a case for the HBCU community to harness its resources against the whims of people and systems who can change our fortunes as easily as they can change their minds. The two subjects in the effort to make the case were two of the more noticeable white women with an impact on the HBCU community,
First, let me begin by expressing my deepest appreciation for all you have done and continue to do for our HBCUs. I am grateful for you pushing us to be better than we are. Most of your articles always inspire me to want to do better, encourage me to want to make a change, and motivate me to go beyond myself in trying to make our world a better place. However, after continuously being interrupted by some of our colleagues last night and today asking about your article(s) on "What I Really Think About Powerful White Women in the HBCU Sector," I paused and asked the following questions that for me need no answers:
1. Was the dialogue really needed about this subject matter especially at this particular time when we have our first African American woman Vice President who is a HBCU graduate? I am still trying to celebrate this accomplishment just for a few moments.
2. Why do persons continue to give Dr. Marybeth Gasman attention or put ink on paper about her? One raises her to a level where she does not belong by continuing to write about her. Just start to ignore Dr. Gasman; continue to do great work; and in due time, God will allow that good work to shine and speak volumes.
3. Why would one put Ms. MacKenzie Scott in the same article with Marybeth Gasman? For me personally, when Ms. MacKenzie Scott gave our beloved HBCUs the philanthropy gifts, she became the spiritual daughter of Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, and my beloved mentor, Dr. Dorothy Height. So, if one is going to write a comparative article, please compare apples to apples. After toiling at HBCUs for almost 50 years with no straw to make bricks and providing the leadership to save the accreditation of four severely under-resourced Black colleges and universities, I literally cried and rejoiced as I learned that Ms. MacKenzie Scott out of a generous heart gave our HBCUs the donations that she did. My prayer is that God will continue to bless all the good work of Ms. MacKenzie Scott's hands so that she will accumulate even more resources, and she will have the desire to give with a willing heart to even more of our HBCUs. I also pray that God will have a crown with a special star awaiting Ms. MacKenzie Scott once she leaves this earth realm for helping the least among us...the poor, hopeless, homeless, helpless, and the voiceless. If I had Ms. MacKenzie's Scott's address, I would send her one of my cousin's homemade pound cakes or one of Pattie's good "ole sweet potato pies" to express my deepest appreciation for giving to our most beloved Historically Black Colleges and Universities when she did not have to do so. Or better still, I would just treat her to a good home-cooked soul food meal at one of our HBCUs or Black churches. Even more so, I am going to go on my knees tonight, and recommend to God that special recognition be extended to this wonderful lady leader, Ms. MacKenzie Scott, who is in a class separate and apart from Dr. Marybeth Gasman! Please in the future, do not put the name of Ms. MacKenzie Scott in the same sentence or phrase with Dr. Marybeth Gasman. As for me, I am going to hold Ms. MacKenzie Scott up with the highest esteem, and from the depths of my heart, I express my deepest appreciation to Ms. MacKenzie Scott for all she has done and yet may do to help our beloved HBCUs and other at-risk agencies.
Thank you so much for the clarification and additional information Mr. Carter Sr. Your second article on this subject was important and necessary. keep up the awesome work.
I applaud your efforts in being a very skilled journalist. As for the comment today from an HBCU official, sometimes it’s hard to reconcile with real facts. Job well done Mr. Carter. Keep on informing on the facts!
My Dearest Son, Jarrett:
First, let me begin by expressing my deepest appreciation for all you have done and continue to do for our HBCUs. I am grateful for you pushing us to be better than we are. Most of your articles always inspire me to want to do better, encourage me to want to make a change, and motivate me to go beyond myself in trying to make our world a better place. However, after continuously being interrupted by some of our colleagues last night and today asking about your article(s) on "What I Really Think About Powerful White Women in the HBCU Sector," I paused and asked the following questions that for me need no answers:
1. Was the dialogue really needed about this subject matter especially at this particular time when we have our first African American woman Vice President who is a HBCU graduate? I am still trying to celebrate this accomplishment just for a few moments.
2. Why do persons continue to give Dr. Marybeth Gasman attention or put ink on paper about her? One raises her to a level where she does not belong by continuing to write about her. Just start to ignore Dr. Gasman; continue to do great work; and in due time, God will allow that good work to shine and speak volumes.
3. Why would one put Ms. MacKenzie Scott in the same article with Marybeth Gasman? For me personally, when Ms. MacKenzie Scott gave our beloved HBCUs the philanthropy gifts, she became the spiritual daughter of Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, and my beloved mentor, Dr. Dorothy Height. So, if one is going to write a comparative article, please compare apples to apples. After toiling at HBCUs for almost 50 years with no straw to make bricks and providing the leadership to save the accreditation of four severely under-resourced Black colleges and universities, I literally cried and rejoiced as I learned that Ms. MacKenzie Scott out of a generous heart gave our HBCUs the donations that she did. My prayer is that God will continue to bless all the good work of Ms. MacKenzie Scott's hands so that she will accumulate even more resources, and she will have the desire to give with a willing heart to even more of our HBCUs. I also pray that God will have a crown with a special star awaiting Ms. MacKenzie Scott once she leaves this earth realm for helping the least among us...the poor, hopeless, homeless, helpless, and the voiceless. If I had Ms. MacKenzie's Scott's address, I would send her one of my cousin's homemade pound cakes or one of Pattie's good "ole sweet potato pies" to express my deepest appreciation for giving to our most beloved Historically Black Colleges and Universities when she did not have to do so. Or better still, I would just treat her to a good home-cooked soul food meal at one of our HBCUs or Black churches. Even more so, I am going to go on my knees tonight, and recommend to God that special recognition be extended to this wonderful lady leader, Ms. MacKenzie Scott, who is in a class separate and apart from Dr. Marybeth Gasman! Please in the future, do not put the name of Ms. MacKenzie Scott in the same sentence or phrase with Dr. Marybeth Gasman. As for me, I am going to hold Ms. MacKenzie Scott up with the highest esteem, and from the depths of my heart, I express my deepest appreciation to Ms. MacKenzie Scott for all she has done and yet may do to help our beloved HBCUs and other at-risk agencies.
With Much Love and Respect,
Algeania Marie Warren Freeman, Ph.D.
Thank you so much for the clarification and additional information Mr. Carter Sr. Your second article on this subject was important and necessary. keep up the awesome work.
You forgot to drop the mic..! Great points.
I applaud your efforts in being a very skilled journalist. As for the comment today from an HBCU official, sometimes it’s hard to reconcile with real facts. Job well done Mr. Carter. Keep on informing on the facts!