From Deseret News archives:
Obstacles remain for blacks
Educator says 'Brown' hasn't fixed everything after half a century
"We thought that the end of all obstacles had come," Dr. Ernest L. Holloway told his audience, remembering May 17, 1954. But 50 years later there are more black men in prison than in college, there are still black students who graduate from high school not knowing how to read, and there are not enough minority teachers, he said.
Holloway, president of Oklahoma's Langston University, was the keynote speaker at the NAACP Salt Lake Branch's dinner, "Brown 50 Years and Beyond: Promise and Progress."
"Our promise is that we have the law on our side," Holloway said. But, he added, "we must take greater responsibility, my African-American brothers and sisters . . . for empowering our young people to be all that they can be."
In America, he said, "good is not good enough. Only the best will really pass the test of being a success in America." That's why he tells the young black students who want to come to his university: "You can't come here with your pants hanging off you." In an evening full of applause, this line received the biggest ovation.
It troubles him, he said, that his students arrive at his school and tell him "this is the first time they ever had anyone who had expectations of them."
"Our future extends beyond athletics," he added, then turned to Dr. Cecil O. Samuelson, president of Brigham Young University, who sat at the head table. "I know who you have running up and down the field. I want to know who is in the classroom."
"Brown" was the right decision, Holloway told his audience at the Little American Hotel. But it also had a darker side that "brought about tremendous harm to a lot of people." That legacy includes the laying off of black teachers as "Brown" was implemented; the federal marshals called in when nine students tried to enter Central High in Little Rock; the flight of white families as black students were bused to previously all-white schools.
Still, as Holloway also noted, 50 years after Brown v. the Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, the superintendent of Topeka schools is an African-American. And Holloway's historically black Langston University is now the most integrated university in Oklahoma.
Before becoming a university administrator, Holloway taught science at Boley High School in Boley, Okla. where one of his students was Jeanetta Williams, now president of the Salt Lake Branch of the NAACP.
E-mail: jarvik@desnews.com
Comments
- U. wants home-court edge 8:33 p.m.
- Utah newborns part of health study 8:18 p.m.
- Girl called 'a hero' 8:04 p.m.
- Spectacular defense has RSL 7:51 p.m.
- Zone D giving Jazz headaches 7:39 p.m.
- Millsap a surprise on ballot 7:38 p.m.
- D.C.-area sniper executed 7:37 p.m.
- NBA's worry is Donaghy 7:36 p.m.
- Where's 'Tag when Utah needs him? 7:34 p.m.
- Utah Jazz have a problem at point 7:33 p.m.
- Utah group finds homes for orphans
- Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
- Y. tight ends talented tandem
- Jazz blow big lead, hang on
- Utes get extra motivation
- Senators want food tax restored
- Hair-pulling raises more questions
- BYU soccer incident still popular
- Lobo land like home for BYU lineman
- U. hopes to keep clicking
- House passes health care bill
260 - TCU showdown has big implications
187 - Lobo suspended
185 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Senators want food tax restored
146 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
104 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
100
Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants nationwide will honor...
Meghan McCain, the daughter of former presidential candidate John...
This issue of health care is an easy one to resolve. If you care and love...
Utah has the athletes and coach to win this game. Well they? Not sure since...
Despite this, many people will still hate the church for their stance on gay...
"Any laws to favor gays should be put on indefinite hold until they and their...
Bring your A game Tigers, I want to see another game up at "The Turf" this...
This is the inclusiveness that the Savior would give. He wouldn't approve of...
Watch and 1997 game 6 semi final vs. Houston and watch Ostertag shut down...
serious credibility problem for years. They really should have some type of...
I'm just glad that Al Gore is going to be even richer than Bill Gates after...
I hope he mentioned the last game of the last championship series in which...



You can be the first to comment on this story.