Tennessee State University’s Homecoming is always highly anticipated and full of excitement and camaraderie for the returning alumni as well as the African American community that sees the university as its shining pearl. It is a time to showcase the greatness that makes the university so loved and honored by those who know its history from which it has persevered—making gold bricks from straw.
It has finally reached national attention as to how Tennessee State University has been short-changed by the state legislature—like many other land grant HBCUs. TSU has been deprived of funds that could have provided them with more resources to make them more competitive to the PWIs, which so many people seem to hold to such high esteem as compared to HBCUs. While we are celebrating TSU’s Homecoming, the alumni, the African American community, TSU’s stakeholders, and supporters should also contemplate holding the state responsible for paying TSU the $2.1 billion the federal government says is owed to the school. Could you imagine if the shoe was on the other foot and the state owed the University of Tennessee hundreds of millions of dollars? Heads would roll until they were compensated, and we all know this to be true.
By all means, enjoy TSU’s homecoming to the fullest. But concentrate on what we must do collectively to make sure our beloved TSU receives what it is rightfully due. The state is so quick to find fault with TSU, not acknowledging that some of the same administrative problems they say are occurring at TSU are occurring in other PWIs in Tennessee. It’s shouldn’t be surprising that some state legislatures are viewed as racist when they ostentatiously cater to UT and other Tennessee PWIs—while degrading and devaluing TSU.
One can only wonder what TSU would look like today if it had been allotted the money due. Because if the truth means anything, TSU has done a hell of a lot with the monies that they have been given to work with. And the state legislature has audaciously had its knee on TSU’s neck for so long, it’s easy to see why TSU cannot breathe.
Monies for new dorms, to keep older dorms updated, as well as keeping other infrastructure in tact would have made a world of difference for so many TSU students. But they have always found a way to rise like cream to the top, regardless of uphill conditions. Regardless, they deserve so much better, and the $2.1 billion owed to TSU is a beginning of correcting a gross injustice.
So while we are enjoying the festivities offered during TSU’s homecoming, make it a point to discuss what we can do to make sure TSU receive justice. Make a commitment to do whatever you can do personally to help bring about justice and equality to TSU.
TSU has secured the aid of Ben Crump, a noted civil rights attorney, but he will need our support in his legal battle for justice and equality for our beloved TSU. Let’s celebrate, and enjoy homecoming. But this year, let’s party for a purpose, united in our quest to get the state to do the right thing.
