An attempt to pervert Dr. Bethune’s Legacy

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7 min readMay 8, 2017

Faith, courage, brotherhood, dignity, ambition, responsibility — these are needed today as never before. We must cultivate them and use them as tools for our task of completing the establishment of equality [for the Negro]. Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, Last Will & Testament

This article is comprised of the thoughts of a number of Bethune-Cookman alumni.

These six virtues: faith, courage, brotherhood, dignity, ambition and responsibility were displayed by Dr. Bethune, her successors and many other leaders that have passed through the gates of the great Bethune-Cookman University; from its days as a small school for negro girls to its standing as a fully accredited Historically Black University. Men and women like Harry T. Moore, Henry Lyons, Marjorie Joyner, Oswald P. Bronson, Sr., Yvonne Scarlett-Golden, James Bush III and William H. Turner have followed Dr. Bethune’s wishes to “Enter to Learn and Depart to Serve”, not only for personal success but for the betterment of an underprivileged people. While many make assertions that suggest Mother Bethune would be pleased by our current strides and even more, our attempts to “build bridges”, we believe that these statements are not just detrimental to our legacy as an institution but that they are an attempt to pervert Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune’s legacy. This is less about our disdain for Incumbent United States Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, but more about the anemic actions of Bethune-Cookman University’s executive leadership that has led to the compromising of our values.

We’d like to repeat, that although we are outraged by the decision to invite Mrs. Betsy DeVos to serve as the commencement speaker for the Spring 2017 Commencement Ceremonies, we are even more appalled by the defensive posture the school has taken in response to the backlash of said decision. Instead of hearing the voices of thousands of Wildcats that have legitimate concerns based not only off political ideals but the legacy of our institution, you choose to “fight back” with Presidential Addresses, purchased publicity and poorly executed social media campaigns. Yet in an effort to defend your decision, you have actually made our institution look frail and disjointed.

Bethune-Cookman University is stretching to defend its choice of commencement speaker by using Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune as a scapegoat. Leadership has impetuously used Dr. Bethune as a deflector of the backlash instead of confidently standing up for a distasteful decision that was made in efforts of improving the university’s current welfare. Our largest level of concern is not with a commencement address (which will likely be subpar) or the future of Bethune-Cookman (because the leadership will likely be stepping down soon) but rather the reputation of our family and founder. Even the suggestion that “Dr. Bethune would approve” of the actions that have taken media by storm is a slap in the face of Dr. Bethune in and of itself. YES, Mary McLeod Bethune spent the majority of her life making deals and selling a dream to individuals who, on the outside, wouldn’t appear to be likely allies… but the proof was in their character. It seems that Dr. Jackson and his cabinet are more concerned with photo-ops and one time donations than long-terms solutions that will keep not only our institution but the other 106 accredited Historically Black Colleges and Universities in position to thrive. These so-called “schools of choice” are dependent on more than just governmental contributions but also the interest of thousands of African American and International students that see these institutions as essential to their advancement.

Not the Bridge-Builder that B-CU has portrayed

A click onto any of Bethune-Cookman University’s social media accounts will expose you to the hashtag #BCUBuildingBridges, which was derived in response to the administration’s stance after the backlash. Dr. Jackson’s presidential address was filled with implications of Dr. Bethune reaching across lines of division to build bridges. As we all fight to make Daytona Beach, Central Florida, the entire state of Florida and our perspective outposts of impact have noticeable growth, we cannot deny that bridging the gap between opposing groups is essential. However, what we stand against is the misleading example of bridge-building in order to support the selection of Betsy DeVos to motivate our graduating seniors.

As Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune pursued her dream to see negro children educated in the rural South, she did so as a deserted wife and single mother. It was not money nor a relationship that drew her to Daytona Beach, FL., to start her school. It was the people. In the early 1900s, Daytona Beach was a hub for poor African American families who were likely uneducated. Although Daytona Beach was nowhere near as bad as her former residences of Georgia and South Carolina, it was still segregated and full of racial tension. The flames from a torch lit by the Ku Klux Klan laid eerily close to where President Jackson’s office now stands, yet he ignores the fact that Bethune fought through these things calling out racism and hatred. She didn’t ignore them.

There is no historical proof of Mary McLeod Bethune making a partnership with anyone who didn’t have a heart for the things that she cared about most; race relations, educational equality and rights for women and children. Yet Dr. Jackson tries to fool the public by using the likes of Thomas White (Christian, Democrat), John D. Rockefeller, Jr. (Christian, Democrat who also gave to such institutions as Hampton University, Fisk University, and Tuskegee), James Norris Gamble (whom Dr. Jackson mistakenly referred to as James Proctor), Henry Flagler (Democrat, Christian, #1 provider of jobs for African Americans in Daytona Beach at the time), and President Franklin D. and first lady Eleanor Roosevelt (long time friends of Dr. Bethune’s), to prove that Bethune “reached across racial and political lines to make long lasting partnerships.” This is misleading because almost all of Bethune’s supporters not only agreed with her politically but also in terms of education and religion. If the current administration were going to use an example of Dr. Bethune fighting for change in the midst of those who were opposed to some of her views, it would have been much more appropriate for them to include President Calvin Coolidge or President Herbert Hoover, both of whom were Republican presidents (and known for their unapologetic racism). Yet Dr. Bethune served as an advisor for both of them. History shows the Bethune never put herself nor her institution in jeopardy of compromising the integrity of the mission, but rather leveraged the opportunities given to her based off of her own merit, to benefit her institution.

It was not lobbying or cold calling that made Rockefeller, Flagler or Roosevelt give full support to Bethune … it was her proven adequacy and persistence. Even after she established relationships with her most notable donors, she was protective about including them into her institution without them proving their allegiance. A great example of that is Dr. Bethune waiting more than five years after the friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt was established to invite her to speak at the school’s 35th Anniversary Celebration. Bethune was notorious for getting her cause attention before ever awarding the other party an opportunity to be seen, heard or exhibit authority in decision making.

Even while trying to expand her small school into a full college, she would not budge on her convictions to make things happen. She received offers from Presbyterian and Baptist organizations that wanted to partner with the school but with the guise of her stepping completely out of control. She declined. It wasn’t until she was approached by the Methodist Education Board with an opportunity to merge with an all-boys school in Jacksonville, FL. that she even considered accepting. Much like her other supporters, the Cookman Institute had a long history of supporting the advancement of African American’s in the country. Rev. Alfred Cookman, founded the school for the sole purpose of giving blacks the opportunity for advancement. The merger wasn’t quid-pro-quo but an adjoining of two like-minded movements with one distinctly common goal. One that didn’t have to be deciphered through implications.

Bethune was clear on where she stood.

The wellbeing of negroes, women and children about sums up what Mary McLeod Bethune dedicated her life to, and she did all with a firm faith in Jesus Christ. The fruit of her desires to serve these groups showed up in the establishment of her institution, the leading of the National Association for Colored Women, her involvement in the National Youth Association and serving as one of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s chief members of the ‘Black Cabinet.’ Parallel interest, accomplishments or even comparable beliefs are not evident in the biography of Betsy DeVos. It is difficult to understand why the school would be willing to sacrifice the thoroughness of Dr. Bethune’s legacy for a check or good press. The comparison of Betsy DeVos to Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune on any level is completely absurd. Which begs to question … what is the true motivation behind making such a comparison?

We are writing this because we are concerned. More concerned about the reputation of our institution than anything. Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune’s legacy is being sacrificed for “a bowl of soup” … but we will not stand to let that pass by. We vow to never allow our voices to not be heard by the institutions leadership again. We will secure our voice financially, socially, through media/social media platforms and more. We will be more hands on in supporting our fellow Wildcats all over the globe and make strides towards advocating for the school on a grander scale. We are not blind. We know that President Jackson and his administration are seeking to be a part of history by aligning themselves with Betsy DeVos and the Trump Administration as an ally … even if it creates space for our dignity and heritage to be erased. Build bridges! Forge relationships! Adjoin with those who are willing to work with us… but do not pervert our founder’s legacy to sell us on it. We’re not buying it.

“If we accept and acquiesce in the face of discrimination, we accept the responsibility ourselves and allow those responsible to salve their conscience by believing that they have our acceptance and concurrence. We should, therefore, protest openly everything… that smacks of discrimination or slander.”

Signed
-Concerned Alumni

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