13th Reflection, “Balance”

The University of Michigan Director of Debate Joshua Hoe was arrested two days ago.  He is not the only debate coach that has recently been in trouble with law enforcement.

Last July, I was arrested on four charges and later plead guilty to different lesser offense.  I spent a night in jail and received probation.

Brazilian Educator Paulo Freire believes that critical consciousness comes from reflection and action.  Scholar bell hooks says that purpose should guide our educational choices.  My purpose since 2005, as stated in the mission of the University of Louisville Debate Society that I direct has been to “increase effective decision making in a multicultural democracy.”  The events in my life over the last nine months created what I call “Reflections of an African American Professor”  This lesson is about “balance.”

12th Reflection, “Privilege”

Skip Gates was not the only Black Studies Professor with a law enforcement encounter back in July, 2009. I was arrested on four charges and later plead guilty to a single lesser offense. I spent a night in jail and received probation.

Brazilian Educator Paulo Freire believes that critical consciousness comes from thought, reflection, and action. Scholar bell hooks says that purpose should guide our educational choices.

My purpose since 2005, as stated in the mission of the University of Louisville Debate Society that I direct has been to “increase effective decision making in a multicultural democracy.” The events in my life over the last year create what I call “Reflections of an Affirmative Action Professor.” This reflection is about “privilege.”

11th Reflection, “Unconditional Self Love?”

Skip Gates was not the only Black Studies Professor with a law enforcement encounter back in July, 2009. I was arrested on four charges and later plead guilty to a single lesser offense. I spent a night in jail and received probation.

Brazilian Educator Paulo Freire believes that critical consciousness comes from reflection and action. Scholar bell hooks says that purpose should guide our educational choices.

My purpose since 2005, as stated in the mission of the University of Louisville Debate Society that I direct has been to “increase effective decision making in a multicultural democracy.” The events in my life over the last year create what I call “Reflections of an Affirmative Action Professor.” This reflection is about “unconditional self love.”

10th Reflection, An Open Letter to My Debaters Past, Present, and Future

 

Three years ago, November, 2006, an article in the University of Louisville school newspaper (Cardinal) was written by two former members of the debate team. It illuminated the beginning of the end of the program as I knew it. The students felt that I was too top-down in my operation of the program, cared little about the students as people, but more about them as justifications for more University support.