Class Note 1957
Issue
March-April 2021
DAM’s November/December 2020 interview with Frank B. Wilderson III ’78, “On Afropessimism,” was back-page dynamite. Wilderson’s bold and provocative statements created such furor in our class that I contacted Skip Traynham for comment. Skip was dean of the Tucker Foundation when Wilderson was at Dartmouth, and I thought his point of view would add value to our search for any grand “reckoning” ahead on the great issue of racism.
Here’s Skip: “I’ve read the interview with Frank Wilderson and, of course, find myself in agreement with some of his remarks and at odds with others. This will not be a surprise. The Black community is not monolithic. Like everybody else, we vary in experiences and in perspectives.
“Clearly my experience with Dartmouth was very different. I enjoyed my undergraduate years. If I had not, I doubt President Kemeny would have invited me to join his administration or that I would have accepted the appointment.
“One reason our experiences were different, I expect, is that I entered Dartmouth before the civil rights movement, while Frank entered after. Our expectations of college years were quite different and, as a result, our experiences were as well.
“I do agree with Frank that ours was, and remains, a racist nation with much to answer for, though colonialism and fascism indicate we are not unique in the community of nations. He says the United States has no right to exist. But it does exist and, because it does, I think it is my duty to vote and to do whatever else I can to make it better, because it shapes the lives of millions of people of all races and colors. I note that he teaches at UC Irvine. I hope that means that he is working, if not to change the nation, then to change and improve the lives and perspectives of Black people in it.
“Finally, I am puzzled by Frank’s optimism about Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin being convicted for his actions. Unarmed Black people continuing to be killed with impunity by the police is one of many testaments to our nation’s racism.”
Thanks, Skip, for providing context. The year 1957 is not 1978 is not 2021. Gene Booth’s and Garvey Clarke’s thoughts will appear in a future column. Let’s hope the long arc of history truly bends toward justice, as we’ve been taught. We have miles to go.
—John W. Cusick, 105 Island Plantation Terrace, Vero Beach, FL 32963; (772) 231-1248; johnwcusick@aol.com
Here’s Skip: “I’ve read the interview with Frank Wilderson and, of course, find myself in agreement with some of his remarks and at odds with others. This will not be a surprise. The Black community is not monolithic. Like everybody else, we vary in experiences and in perspectives.
“Clearly my experience with Dartmouth was very different. I enjoyed my undergraduate years. If I had not, I doubt President Kemeny would have invited me to join his administration or that I would have accepted the appointment.
“One reason our experiences were different, I expect, is that I entered Dartmouth before the civil rights movement, while Frank entered after. Our expectations of college years were quite different and, as a result, our experiences were as well.
“I do agree with Frank that ours was, and remains, a racist nation with much to answer for, though colonialism and fascism indicate we are not unique in the community of nations. He says the United States has no right to exist. But it does exist and, because it does, I think it is my duty to vote and to do whatever else I can to make it better, because it shapes the lives of millions of people of all races and colors. I note that he teaches at UC Irvine. I hope that means that he is working, if not to change the nation, then to change and improve the lives and perspectives of Black people in it.
“Finally, I am puzzled by Frank’s optimism about Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin being convicted for his actions. Unarmed Black people continuing to be killed with impunity by the police is one of many testaments to our nation’s racism.”
Thanks, Skip, for providing context. The year 1957 is not 1978 is not 2021. Gene Booth’s and Garvey Clarke’s thoughts will appear in a future column. Let’s hope the long arc of history truly bends toward justice, as we’ve been taught. We have miles to go.
—John W. Cusick, 105 Island Plantation Terrace, Vero Beach, FL 32963; (772) 231-1248; johnwcusick@aol.com