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Jackson visits Southern U. to Push Katrina March

By Byrhonda Lyons
Black College Wire

John Oubre/Southern University Jesse Jackson, with Niiobli Armah, president of Southern University's Student Government Association, challenged SGA members of the SGA and Greek organizations to rally students behind his New Orleans march.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson made a surprise visit to Southern University, encouraging students to participate in a "Reclaiming Our Land" march scheduled for April 28 in Hurricane Katrina-damaged New Orleans.

The activist spoke to the student body in the Smith-Brown Memorial Union, arguing for the importance of marching for Katrina victims and fighting for the university. Speaking on April 11, he also addressed comments by radio talk show host Don Imus, who was fired from MSNBC later that day and again the next day by CBS Radio.

The "Reclaiming Our Land" march is sponsored by Jackson's Rainbow Coalition.

"There are still 200,000 citizens that are displaced around the country," Jackson said. "We must take a stand.

"There have been 150,000 applications for people to get homes and only 3,000 have been approved," he said.

Jackson linked the importance of the march to political problems that could arise for New Orleans if citizens of the Crescent City remain displaced.

"The students at Southern University can make a difference," Jackson said.

Deion Dorsett, vice president of Southern's Student Government Association, said, "We need to realize that this is not just a New Orleans problem, it's an issue for all blacks in Louisiana. If people do not return, we could lose political seats."

Southern will be providing two buses to take interested students to New Orleans.

Veronica Freeman, a Southern University history professor, and Ralph Slaughter, Southern University system president, worked to organize the event, along with AWAKE, a new student activism group on campus.

"I am anticipating this march, I think it will be a great opportunity to bring positive press here to SU," said AWAKE student organizer Lauren Malbroux, a senior political science major from Opelousas, La. "It will show that Southern University students are actively involved in the community and are committed to making a difference."

Jackson also mentioned conversations in the state Legislature about closing Southern, saying, "If we do not have representation when political figures discuss closing Southern University, the idea may become a reality," glancing over his shoulder at Slaughter for confirmation.

The activist challenged members of the SGA and the university's Greek organizations to encourage the student body to get involved with the march.

Dorsett said, "We are going to do door-to-door campaigning to get the students involved. We want to fill all of the buses that President Slaughter offers us."

Jackson also discussed Imus' reference to the Rutgers University women's basketball team as "nappy-headed ho's" on his syndicated radio talk show.

"It's sad that Imus is getting more sympathy than the girls," Jackson said.

Asked how he felt about politicians such as Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., a presidential candidate who said he accepted Imus' apology and would be willing to go back on Imus' show, Jackson said, "Political leaders should not be a part of Imus' show anymore. McCain's comment speaks a lot of his character.

"We must realize that our struggle for equality is still not over," Jackson said.

Byrhonda Lyons, a student at Southern University, writes for the Southern Digest. Conyea Nave also contributed to this report. To comment, e-mail [email protected]

Posted April 25, 2007