Thomas P. Salmon, President
University of Vermont
349 Waterman Bldg
Burlington, VT 05405
Dear President Salmon:
I have waited to write this letter since as an academic I know very well the extraordinary "hype" that can arise involving student protest at any university. I have read information coming from many sides on this issue, and I can assure you, although you may resist such an interpretation, your university´s handling of this matter is nothing short of disastrous. I chose today to write to you today since it is the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, and that my own private ritual every year in celebrating the life of this extraordianry human being is to read his "Letter from the Birmingham Jail." If you read this letter, you will find uncanny parallels to what Dr. King spoke of and the hunger strike by Maneshkona-Shontae Praileau at your institution. While these parallels are too numerous to name here, I strongly recommend that you read this historic document so that you can see how your institution´s handling of Ms. Praileau´s protest is not only morally wrong, but is unparalleled in its insensitivity to concerns regarding African American students.
As a member of the Executive Board of the National Council of Black Studies (NCBS), I have taken it upon myself to contact our President, Dr. William A. Little of California State University, Dominguez Hills concerning the events at the University of Vermont. The NCBS is not only in full support of her efforts to bring justice into an obviously unjust situtation, but will let its international membership know that the atmosphere at the University of Vermont is extraordinarily hostile to the full development of ALANA students and faculty. We will be informing by letter all of its members of the events that have transpired on your campus during the past three months and unless tangible, and measurable goals are implemented by Vermont immediately, we will encourage our members as well as members of other ethnic studies assocation to avoid the University of Vermont as a place for employment.
I am sorry that such matters have forced our organization to take such a rare step. These sanctions have been used in the past only a few times, but the events leading up to the Ms. Praileau´s protest, and the subsequent steps taken by your administration force us to do this. You will hear more about these measures as events unfold.Very sincerely yours,
Raymond A. Winbush, Ph.D.
Benjamin Hooks Professor Social Justice
Treasurer, National Council for Black Studies, Inc.
Fisk University
Nashville TN 37208
615-329-8575
emc:
Dean Batt, VP for Student Affairs
University of Vermont
41-43 South Prospect Street
Burlington, VT 05405
Jean Held, President, Faculty Senate
University of Vermont
304 Rowell Bldg
Burlington, VT 05405