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<font face="Arial, Helvetica" size=2 color="#000080">Rev. Wright has
grown his congregation from less than 100 to over 7000, has done much of
the rescuing of the community from HIV when city, county, state and
federal officials would do nothing, agrees with the majority of Black
people (and me) in noting that the US is capable of creating the HIV
virus and infecting the Black community, notes that one should not ignore
a person (Farrakhan) who could place 1,000,000 men on the mall in DC, and
that 9/11 was a matter of the chickens coming home to roost, consistent
with Malcolm X’s similar statement about JFK’s assassination.<br><br>
There’s much more of course. But in particular I should note that
when my best friend and colleague, Jose Lopez, was being hounded and
persecuted by the FBI, Rev. Wright stood by him publicly – because it was
correct and true, despite the fact that Wright had nothing to gain from
supporting a person so far out of his community.<br><br>
It is appropriate that the clowns running Northwestern now have the clown
Jerry Springer to speak at graduation. Clearly they have found a
person who represents the values of NU well.<br><br>
Steve Whitman<br><br>
</font><font face="Tahoma" size=1>Following is the text of a statement by
Alan K. Cubbage, Northwestern University Vice President for University
Relations, regarding the University's decision to withdraw an invitation
to the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright to receive an honorary degree. <br>
<br>
May 1, 2008<br>
<br>
Earlier this academic year, acting on the recommendation of faculty
committees, Northwestern University extended an invitation to the Rev.
Dr. Jeremiah Wright, former senior minister of Trinity United Church of
Christ in Chicago, to receive an honorary Doctorate of Sacred Theology at
Northwestern’s Commencement in June. Commencement at Northwestern is a
time of celebration of the accomplishments of Northwestern’s graduating
students and their families. In light of the controversy around Dr.
Wright and to ensure that the celebratory character of Commencement not
be affected, the University has withdrawn its invitation to Dr. Wright.
<br>
<br>
Dr. Wright was quoted as saying that his invitation to receive an
honorary degree was withdrawn by Northwestern President Henry Bienen
because Dr. Wright “wasn’t patriotic enough.” If Dr. Wright was quoted
accurately, that statement is not true. In his conversation and
correspondence with Dr. Wright in March, President Bienen never
characterized Dr. Wright’s views or made a judgment about them. The
letter said, “In light of the controversy surrounding statements made by
you that have recently been publicized, the celebratory character of
Northwestern’s commencement would be affected by our conferring of this
honorary degree. Thus I am withdrawing the offer of an honorary degree
previously extended to you.” <br><br>
<br>
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