I thank the descendant I spoke with for their transparency and honesty and willingness to be vulnerable and truthful. But that evening I couldn't sleep, the past felt even closer to the present in ways I had not felt before.

How their philosophies were the foundational to our curricula, our admission policies, the trajectory of what our institutions represent NOW! It is a reminder of how the racist, violent rhetoric of 1850s, 1890s, and so on is re-branded (just barely) as today's threats.

but nevertheless, our meeting was a "front door" reminder to how our academic leadership, who were also often political leaders during their academic service , before and after their roles at institutions are tied together, in this dogged attempt to take us back to a time before emancipation.

when a student who looks like me asks to be on their dissertation committee, or when a student with the same socioeconomic struggles I had needs someone to talk to as a first generation college student, they are our tomorrow, if I don't show up for nothin else...I'm here for this 4 sure!❤️

My undergrad degree was in Journalism/PoliSci, I think how we were told that we were the last guardrails to ensure accountability, the importance of a free press..I wonder what is being taught in classes right now, how are profs explaining the concessions by our media outlets to promote propaganda

Thanks so much!!!! Appreciate you sending the guide, sending smiles and hugs!🤗