“I felt as though I was witnessing an 1800 slave auction of a Black woman being put on a slave block, standing naked, being stripped of her integrity and dignity. This is what I felt watching President Gay being prostrated before Congress on national TV. I was deeply affected by this ‘figurative’ public rape of a Black woman.”
Tanya D. Woods, J.D.
Westside Justice Center
Radio V 103
Darryl Dennard Jan 7, 2024
President Claudine Gay endured a grueling and demeaning congressional hearing that was followed up two weeks later with relentless racial and personal attacks; which resulted in her subsequent resignation. This was HORRIFIC.
Reflecting on the congressional meeting, with the luxury of” Monday morning quarterbacking” would allow for a well-thought-out response to Congresswoman Stefanik’s question. In hindsight, albeit with literally seconds to formulate her thoughts, President Gay might have navigated her response to take control of the narrative and pivoted from a defensive stance to an offensive position, taking control of the dialogue.
A potential response could have been: “Yes, Congresswoman, a call for genocide of Jewish people is not something that the policy and mission of Harvard University would tolerate, and I greatly appreciate your question. Discussing genocide is a serious matter, and it brings to mind another historical event. In 1951, Attorney William Patterson and Paul Robeson presented a petition to the United Nations, charging the United States with the crime of genocide against American Negroes. The United States utilized its influence to block the vote on the petition of genocide against the United States of America.
Yes, Congresswoman, we must always stand up against GENOCIDE and the call for justice against genocide is a cause we should all champion.”
Such a strategic pivot from defense to offense; to controlling and redefining the narrative versus reacting to a rhetorical question with a narrowly defined answer lying only in the recesses of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik’s mind, where the only answer acceptable to the Congresswoman, was ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ The pivot might have prompted a different trajectory for the discussion and redirected the narrative from a reactive defense to a proactive stance. Navigating such a pivot, however, may not have been without challenges for President Gay such as being interrupted by having President Gay’s microphone turned off, or being told to only answer with a ‘yes’ or ‘no.’
In the aftermath of the congressional hearing, Black faculty, staff, students, and alumni of Harvard University have worked both behind the scenes and in public forums to support President Gay. The silence from other entities such as the Congressional Black Caucus, National Civil Rights Organizations, Black Entertainment Titans, and Black National Religious Institutions, has been either limited or in some cases absent. The absence of more unified support allowed the narrative to be shaped negatively, subjecting President Gay and her family to racial attacks, threats, damaged reputation, and the loss of her presidency at Harvard University.
As Martin Luther King once said, “It is not the words of your enemies that can hurt you; it is the silence of your friends.”
The cause of this prevailing silence might be attributed to an unspoken issue. This unaddressed matter pertains to the apprehension of engaging or challenging sensitive topics, symbolized by the metaphorical “third rail.” This third rail embodies entities—be they individuals, organizations, or institutions—governed by both conservatives and racists, some of whom purport to beliberals, who historically have provided monetary support. The concern lies in the potential withdrawal of financial backing or the imposition of ‘cancel culture’ by these influential figures. Their substantial donations serve as a means to exert control and guarantee the SILENCE of voices that aspire to benefit from their considerable financial contributions.
Call to Action:
Congressional Black Caucus:
The time for action is now. It is time to strategically maneuver and work towards the reinstatement of President Gay as President of Harvard University.
Harvard Corporation: Take a decisive step by closely reviewing the recommendations outlined in the University’s report on “Harvard and the Legacy of Slavery.” With specific emphasis on recommendation #7.
Ensure institutional Accountability. Reinstate President Gay and support the President of the Harvard Corporation, Penny Pritzker.
This is not a legal matter;
This is not a question of standards or qualifications;
This is a fight against systemic racism;
This is a fight to maintain the integrity of Harvard University and all of Higher Education in America;
This is a Historical event that can impact the control and future of public and private Higher Education.
Harvard University might be is the canary in the mine…if Harvard gives into the “2024 McCarthyism,” what and who are next?
This is a call for a return to a fundamental principle — a simple yet profound action; “do the right thing.” Reinstate President Gay
Dr. Wayne Watson is the former Chancellor of the City Colleges of Chicago and the President Emeritus of Chicago State University.
