It doesn’t seem to matter if the Marching “100” has been invited to perform at the Super Bowl pre-game show, or that the University was named Princeton Review’s 1997 College of the Year. Or even that it has extraordinary pharmacy, business and journalism programs.
After 117 years of existence, the public image of FAMU has been shattered. It isn’t as if prospective students are knocking the doors down to enroll.
In fact, those numbers are not raising much. There is even some talk about current students tranferring to more “stable” institutions.
What has tarnished the image of the beloved FAMU, home of the Rattlers?
The reason seems to be that the University just can’t dodge the spotlight of negativity. With all of the pessimistic publicity, outsiders only get to see a dysfunctional educational institution.
After the athletic department’s million-dollar deficit fiasco, delaying the Division 1-A football move and ousting a president, FAMU has left quite a bad taste in the mouths of many.
Although, it isn’t as worse off as Morris Brown or Edward Waters College, the University needs a little public relations lesson.
Launching a campaign just won’t do. Making the media A list once every blue moon just won’t do
It has the programs, just enough alumni support and the national and international recognition.
What it needs now is the support of its current students and faculty. FAMU must revamp its public appeal.
A permanent president would be good. A zero-dollar budget deficit would be just as nice. And finally, some positive exposure.
Parents are proud to say that their youngster attends “A&M.” There are so many individuals that show that faithful school spirit with personalized license plates with that infamous venom rattler.
Despite the fact that the University has been caught at the tail end of eminence, it is still an institution holding countless legacies of which so many are proud. The
Blacks must improve their way of life to ensure history does not repeat itself
Blacks have been engaging in psychological warfare since before the Civil Rights Movement. Sitting in a locked-down state of mind is not healthy for the movement of any people, especially blacks.
The question is: Where do we go from here?
It is time for blacks to educate themselves on the rights and responsibilities that are needed to move forward as a people. Minority parents have a duty to present their children with self-esteem and educate them on the past in order to redirect the future.
There are many more paths that need to be taken in order to move out of the mindset that has been holding minority races down for decades.
The problems have been identified. The past has been remembered. And reparations have been discussed.
It is time for our people to stop dwelling on the past, take precautions so that the past does not repeat itself, and move forward.
The next question is: How can this be done?
This is where the situation becomes complex. There is no one answer.
The one thing that will start the process is one step in the right direction.
We must produce more than we consume, educate more than obliterate, and unite more that we fight.
Blacks are a strong minority. There are too many intellectuals of this race to allow societal norms to bar the entire community from achieving the pinnacle of success.