A Meaningful Contribution: A Tribute to Dr. Asa Hilliard III (1934-2007)

The African-American academic Diaspora has lost another giant. It doesn’t take much for me to give definition to the vast amount of content that has had meaning to our daily existence as people of color. In all of us we can usually finger a few that have contributed to your development in mind, body, and spirit. Asa Hilliard was one of those people for me. He was an educational psychologist and a leading proponent of Afrocentric studies in public schools. He died Aug. 13 in Egypt, where he was on an annual Africentric historical study tour with students. He had complications of malaria and died in Cairo. Since 1980, Dr. Hilliard had been the Fuller E. Callaway Professor of Urban Education at Georgia State University. He previously had spent 18 years on the faculty of San Francisco State University, where he became dean of education. I met him during his visits to Atlanta from California. I was an inquisitive student that wouldn’t take no for an answer and he was always there, diligently answering all of my questions.

In the span of a 50-year period, I’m sure I can come up with a few other names to add to a list of prominent people that have influenced me -- and my memory is long. There was the librarian during the adolescent years of my elementary education, Mrs. Kimbro, who first introduced me to the power of knowledge and all of the aspects of reading; and in Junior and Senior High School Henry Mott and Quentin North respectfully, gave lip service in ways where the chalkboard was rendered obsolete because they demanded absolute undivided attention, and expected application where needed. In the armed services no matter where I was stationed there always were distinguished officers that I gleaned valuable information from; but during my college years in Atlanta at Morehouse that was special. It was there that I first met Dr. Benjamin Mays, who at the time had already retired from the 'House, and had been elected president of the Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education, where he supervised the peaceful desegregation of Atlanta's public schools. He published two seminal autobiographies, Born to Rebel (1971), and Lord, the People Have Driven Me On (1981), of which I still consort to today.

But Asa Hilliard stood out. He truly exemplified a man among men and an erudite scholar to boot. When I was feeling sorry for myself, and exhibited little respect for the man I was destined to become, it was Asa who taught me what self-respect meant in an Afrocentric pedagogy; we fought tooth and nail against unequal treatment within the Georgia University system during sit-ins, where my fellow students including a young incorrigible Samuel L. Jackson acted out a part that would rival any of his movie trailers; it was Asa Hilliard who reined us in and gave us a methodology to fight the establishment better; and when I needed to see first hand how my ancestors lived, it was Asa Hilliard who organized one of the first Africentric tour of Egypt – I was one of many who benefited from that inaugural trip. Subsequently I was personally introduced to Molefi Asante (http://www.asante.net/biography.html) and many of the leading African American Studies scholars and members of the 1974 Morehouse Chapter of the National Council for Black Studies were able to embrace the philosophies of such activists as Maulana Karenga, James Stewart, Leonard Jeffries www.africawithin.com/jeffries/leonard_jeffries.htm and Wade Nobles. It was Asa Hilliard who instigated it all. Yes, meaningful content is being in the right place to be filled to the brim with knowledge that feed the soul to know who you are, where you come from, and where we as a united front should be going.

I was able to validate my meaningful content with what I learned by embracing and implementing a set of innovative training guides known as the "African-American Baseline Essays." (http://www.pps.k12.or.us/depts-c/mc-me/be-af-ss.pdf) The essays developed by educators in Portland, Ore., viewed ancient black Egypt as the birthplace of the philosophical, mathematical and scientific theories that formed civilization. And I used them as guidelines teaching and mentoring to youths through the years. Without Dr. Hilliard, these important educational tools wouldn’t be what they are to curricula nationwide in our school systems. His visits to South Florida in general, and to the Miami-Dade Public School System in particular should be assessed and appreciated with the utmost of pride as he helped generate change in how Black children looked at Black history.

My tribute to Dr. Asa Hilliard is a reminder that inherent knowledge should go much deeper for long lasting testaments in being educated the right way. And if I was allowed to lay on your tombstone these words -- "Mr. Hilliard, you left me much, and gave me more incentive than you’d ever know...the Lord called you home while you were doing what you did best. I will miss the southern comfort of your unique interpretive analysis in academia -- where you made African studies and minority achievement your chief concern during a long career as a writer, consultant and lecturer. Rest on my Brother, and know that you will be missed!"

Straight Talk - Brotha To Brotha

This is the first installment of a new feature called Straight Talk - Brotha To Brotha. One of the things I've always wanted to see not only in the literary world, but also in society, where the brothers would bond more and play the role of models for their communities. They tend to step warily and not reach out as much as they should. Albeit, the African American male writer though are bridging gaps and telling poignant stories in another medium to get the job done. Men has made gargantuan strides over the last 20 years and is now beginning to bear fruit. Still a female dominated litany, publishing houses are always looking for men who write and can emote. Nowadays, male themes are prevalent and the male point of view is all-important now that the urban fiction market is garnering story lines from da hood! I feel that strong characters should be the mantra for any writer to excel.

To illustrate this, my feature this month is none other than Vincent Alexandria, writer extraordinaire, and consumate businessman. Mr. Alexandria commands respect relative to his out going personality and penchant for a no nonsensical style, which has a way of reverberating to his books. His upcoming new release, BLACK RAIN is a long anticipated novel that will be one of the summer's best efforts. I spoke to him recently as he shared a few poignant questions about he and his work:

• In your opinion, what is the one crucial thing the publishing industry should do immediately concerning AA literature?

Give it the same exposure and payments they do their other authors with proper placement in all the bookstores. Don't put us in an African American section, but place us in our genre.

• It's an old saying that you won't get rich as an author, but what are the gems that you've gleaned from panning the industry?

I learned the business and the respect of my peers. I love to write and I only want to be remembered 50 to a hundred years from now for a great story. I do want to be very comfortable as far as the money goes. Being rich causes problems. Just pay off all my bills. That's my goal. (LOL)

• Who is the one author you admire(d) most, past or present?

Chester Himes. He died broke and did not get notoriety until he moved to Europe. He only got recognition as a genius in America once he died. I want my roses while I'm still alive. Donna Hill is my hero. She has written over 50 books and still writes for the love of it. She my friend and mentor and I respect her totally. She got me into the game. Walter Mosley is the reason I write mystery. He is a genius.

• What would you like to tell us about BLACK RAIN, your latest book?

It has to be one of my greatest books. I really had fun the entire writing process. My mom died before the book was published so that really bummed me out. But I know she is watching done on me saying. "Job well done."

• Let's talk about what has become your signature - The Brother 2 Brother Literary Symposium. What is its mission, and what do you envision for its future?

I envision a national tour and that we will affect literacy and be a asset in Black children graduating from high school and attending college. I want our community to be literate and dreams realized by all in our community. We promote reading and literacy and give away free books at the event. I'm looking forward to our Houston 5th Anniversary February 1-2, 2008.

• What does the future hold for Vincent Alexandria within the next 3-5 years?

I want to have at least two of my book into films and be co-directing the movie and co-producing and have at least 15 books to my title including my children books. I will be married to my girlfriend who is also an author and Brother 2 Brother Literary Symposium will be a nationally known event.

Romer, Where Have You Been?

Okay, go ahead and give it to me. It's been awhile since I bombarded you the usual wit, wisdom, and words from the Jackal! I humbly apologize, and hope that your seat on the bandwagon is still warm and comfy. I took a few minutes off to take care of pressing problems and issues that demanded my immediate attention. First though, I'm recuperating from back surgery...as a matter of fact, I spent the whole day on my birthday (July 30) flat on my back. No fun there. I experienced a new meaning of pain. I also was able to spend quality time with my family, and in he process rededicated my life to Christ! Oh what a marvelous feeling to be on the right side of the street!! I wasn't able to get any writing done, but a few manuscripts managed to find their way in my peripheral vision for editing. I submitted an essay to author, Vernice Berry's request for manuscripts for an anthology project, entitled "WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE: REFLECTIONS ON A HIGHER POWER." I'm really excited about this way beyond the fact that I'm a contributor. Just to be in the near vicinity and in the company of the other writers committed to this project is awesome and mind-boggling!

It is so important to take some time off for the family, in spite of the daily grind that life demands without time management procedures. I was without my 'puter for a couple of weeks, and I need not go into the angst that this rendered me. School is out, I have the grandkids jockeying for position, and it's hot as hell in paradise! Miami in the summer gives new meaning to sweat, South Beach notwithstanding. I'm back on track. The time spent off the pad gave me so much to think about, and themes to write on, including so many things to write and talk about that have happened in the world. The opinionated views of the Jackal are legendary, if not controversial at times! And you all know that I always have an opinion, right? I have missed writing but at the same time I feel refreshed with a new lease on life.

In the meantime the embattled (embittered?) Barry Bonds finally put the naysayers temporarily in place by surpassing Hank Aaron, but for how long? Conjecture and doubt alone will usurp his achievement with accusations of a tainted accomplishment. But what's the fuss?! Hell, people cheat every single day that the world turns for that extra-added advantage -- so go figure! Nevertheless, I'm still committed to writing my first book of fiction, as well as the first of three volumes of my essays, and a book of original poetry. Pray for me, and DO keep some of that midnight oil burning while I continue to give it to you -- Verbatim!