Thursday, November 26, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
An Open Letter to the FAMU Family
Friday October 16th, 2009
To Mr. James Ammons
President, Florida A & M University
Dear Mr. President:
I am bringing to your attention a very serious matter. As a result of students speaking out on this issue safety has now become a concern and one person has been arrested. The following correspondence has been sent to the offices of Student Government, Student Life, Student Activities and Student Affairs.
THE FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY MISSION:
To provide an enlightened and enriched academic, intellectual, moral, cultural, ethical, technological, and student centered environment conducive of the development of highly qualified individuals who are prepared and capable of serving as leaders and contributors in our ever-evolving society.
We, The Florida A&M student body, feel that the power of music is one of the most critical and overlooked aspects of human development and behavior. Throughout history the sounds, melodies, and words of artists have helped shaped public opinions and change lives. Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” and Public Enemy’s “Fight The Power” are evidence of this phenomenon. Such a powerful tool cannot be underestimated. Florida A&M University’s mission from its very beginning has been to influence and empower youth through sound educational and social principles. A part of this mission, as expressed in the university mission statement, is the cultural development of its students. We feel there could be more attention, detail and care in this regard.
Recent homecoming concerts at Florida A&M University have included artists whose messages are not keeping with the university’s commitment to the positive cultural enrichment of its students. One artist booked for this years event has been banned from at least one other universities homecoming activities.
As students, faculty, and alumni, we want to express a desire to see more diversity in the selection of artists in homecoming week events. We have several suggestions as to how there can be a more diverse homecoming experience and are willing to assist in a large scale discussion as to how this can be done.
On Thursday, October 15, we hosted an open forum for the campus to air their grievances and voice their opinions. Dean Kirby, SGA VP Calvin Hayes, William Mackenzie, concert promoter were all invited but chose not to attend. The meeting took place and students were given the opportunity to speak on this issue. Several solutions were also discussed and were agreed upon by the group.
Respectfully submitted,
FAMU People’s Coalition
famupeoplescoalition@gmail.com
petitionfamuconcert.blogspot.com
Cc:
Ms. Carmen Cummings, Office of Alumni Affairs
Mr. Henry Kirby, VP of Student Life
Mr. Roland Gaines, Office of Student Affairs
To Mr. James Ammons
President, Florida A & M University
Dear Mr. President:
I am bringing to your attention a very serious matter. As a result of students speaking out on this issue safety has now become a concern and one person has been arrested. The following correspondence has been sent to the offices of Student Government, Student Life, Student Activities and Student Affairs.
THE FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY MISSION:
To provide an enlightened and enriched academic, intellectual, moral, cultural, ethical, technological, and student centered environment conducive of the development of highly qualified individuals who are prepared and capable of serving as leaders and contributors in our ever-evolving society.
We, The Florida A&M student body, feel that the power of music is one of the most critical and overlooked aspects of human development and behavior. Throughout history the sounds, melodies, and words of artists have helped shaped public opinions and change lives. Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” and Public Enemy’s “Fight The Power” are evidence of this phenomenon. Such a powerful tool cannot be underestimated. Florida A&M University’s mission from its very beginning has been to influence and empower youth through sound educational and social principles. A part of this mission, as expressed in the university mission statement, is the cultural development of its students. We feel there could be more attention, detail and care in this regard.
Recent homecoming concerts at Florida A&M University have included artists whose messages are not keeping with the university’s commitment to the positive cultural enrichment of its students. One artist booked for this years event has been banned from at least one other universities homecoming activities.
As students, faculty, and alumni, we want to express a desire to see more diversity in the selection of artists in homecoming week events. We have several suggestions as to how there can be a more diverse homecoming experience and are willing to assist in a large scale discussion as to how this can be done.
On Thursday, October 15, we hosted an open forum for the campus to air their grievances and voice their opinions. Dean Kirby, SGA VP Calvin Hayes, William Mackenzie, concert promoter were all invited but chose not to attend. The meeting took place and students were given the opportunity to speak on this issue. Several solutions were also discussed and were agreed upon by the group.
Among them were:
- Issue a formal statement in regards to this issue
- Provide an entertainment alternative for this years homecoming activities. A suitable artist is available and is interested in performing at the Student Cookout on Wednesday October 21st. President Gallop Franklin has suggested that we work to make this happen.
- Form an advisory committee to include all sectors of the FAMU community: Various student organizations, Alumni and Faculty to insure that throughout the year the promoter is working towards an artist lineup that is more appropriate for the university’s image.
- Allow a special poll to take place during student elections in the spring where students can help select the promoter and choose from a broad list of suggested artists for the concert.
Respectfully submitted,
FAMU People’s Coalition
famupeoplescoalition@gmail.com
petitionfamuconcert.blogspot.com
Cc:
Ms. Carmen Cummings, Office of Alumni Affairs
Mr. Henry Kirby, VP of Student Life
Mr. Roland Gaines, Office of Student Affairs
What will your mother say?
What would your mother say if she knew that your college, your institution of higher education was promoting murder, drug dealing and chauvinism? How would she feel about the hundreds of thousands of dollars that are being spent on these artists?
Here are some of the lyrics of these artists:
Plies-"Goons Lurkin"
You Might Miss The Newspaper But You Gon Make The News
Victim Found Face Down Tonight Without His Shoes
Dem Choppas Went Off In Drive You Run But Couldn't Move
Sawed Him In Half That Chopper Broke Him Down In Two
Everything Them Hallow Points Hit It Knock Em Loose
"Murkin Season"
you caught slippin crackers goin find ur ass not breathing
100 wholes in ur ass with ur body leaking
nigga ridin with em drums nigga for a reason
cuz down here we in the middle of murking season!
"Dat Bitch"
Just hit me a lick finna blow a check
Got stacks on me goons on deck
Finna slide thru tha strip club and make a mess
Iono wont that hoe i want dat bitch
Ace Hood- Get Him
Hold up, where dey at
Khaled don't let me get em
Gun cocked, where his children
No talk, time to get em
Fake niggas gon make me kill em
Make his body shiver like hes naked in a river
Matter of fact umma leave him in da river
Young Cash- Pure Cocaine
pure cocaine, pure cocaine
all i ever served out in these streets is pure cocaine
crackers pull me over they aint got shit gotta let me dip,
purple haze is all i smoke but she couldn't make it on this trip
usaully keep a pistol too one in the chamber clip full,
not today on i-10 its nothing but me and redbull
Really brothers and sisters is this how we want to to be represented?
Here are some of the lyrics of these artists:
Plies-"Goons Lurkin"
You Might Miss The Newspaper But You Gon Make The News
Victim Found Face Down Tonight Without His Shoes
Dem Choppas Went Off In Drive You Run But Couldn't Move
Sawed Him In Half That Chopper Broke Him Down In Two
Everything Them Hallow Points Hit It Knock Em Loose
"Murkin Season"
you caught slippin crackers goin find ur ass not breathing
100 wholes in ur ass with ur body leaking
nigga ridin with em drums nigga for a reason
cuz down here we in the middle of murking season!
"Dat Bitch"
Just hit me a lick finna blow a check
Got stacks on me goons on deck
Finna slide thru tha strip club and make a mess
Iono wont that hoe i want dat bitch
Ace Hood- Get Him
Hold up, where dey at
Khaled don't let me get em
Gun cocked, where his children
No talk, time to get em
Fake niggas gon make me kill em
Make his body shiver like hes naked in a river
Matter of fact umma leave him in da river
Young Cash- Pure Cocaine
pure cocaine, pure cocaine
all i ever served out in these streets is pure cocaine
crackers pull me over they aint got shit gotta let me dip,
purple haze is all i smoke but she couldn't make it on this trip
usaully keep a pistol too one in the chamber clip full,
not today on i-10 its nothing but me and redbull
Really brothers and sisters is this how we want to to be represented?
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