May 23 2007
Stillman College Students

Black College Professor Quits Job Over His Hip-Hop’d Students

Bill Maxwell used to be a professor at Stillman, a small, black college in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. With 800 students in total, Bill Maxwell says many of the local folks think of the college as an oasis, the only real symbol of hope in the area.

Two years ago, he quit his job as a journalist, taking a teaching position at Stillman, with the hope of infusing those fresh, young minds with the wealth of his knowledge. To contribute to “uplifting the race,” as his professors had taught him. He had big plans, big ideas.

In I Had a Dream he writes..

Bill Maxwell

“As I drove through Stillman’s black-iron main gate and approached Martin Luther King Jr. Hall, a three-story men’s dormitory, I was on a mission to fulfill a promise to myself..”

You know Chris Rock’s joke, or is it Dave Chappelle.. the one about every U.S. city’s Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, ironically being the place where shootings and robberies are taking place as we speak? Bill Maxwell’s bright eyes caught a glimpse of that as he arrived for his first day of service.

Stillman College Gates

“Driving my 13-year-old, unairconditioned Chevy Blazer past the guard house, I became apprehensive when I noticed about a dozen male students wearing baggy pants, oversized white T-shirts, expensive sneakers and assorted bling standing around shooting the breeze.”

It gets better, or worse if you’re sane.

“At least two had “jailhouse tats” on their arms, crude tattoos suggesting that these young men had spent time behind bars. They carried no books or anything else to indicate they were on a college campus.”

“I got a good look at their faces. I wanted to remember these young men if any of them showed up in my classes.”

“Behind them, several others sat on a low brick wall near the dorm entrance. They, too, were clad like extras in a gangsta rap video.”

“It was a scene straight out of “the hood” - young, black men seemingly without direction or purpose, hanging out on the corner. In this case, they were hanging out on what is popularly known as “The Yard” on a “>college campus where they were supposed to be preparing for a more productive life.”

He would see these same boys from the hood two years later when he quit his job.

Reason for leaving?

Them lazy, shiftless.. *watch yo mouth*

Let’s just say that his students had no interest in learning.

One of his fellow professors caught the same vibe

“Have you noticed that our students never have a sense of urgency? They don’t seem to be going anywhere in particular. They just stand around or mosey along. Frivolity.”

Maxwell wrote..

“He was right. Greek organization activities such as step shows favored by fraternities and sororities - and any excuse to party and play music were the most important events on campus.”

He did find one or two students that wouldn’t stand a chance in Beanie Sigel’s world.

“Leonard Merriman IV, who wrote for the student newspaper, was from New Orleans..  He was an inspiration to students and professors because he was intellectually curious, read voraciously and dared to be a nerd in an environment that celebrated everything hip-hop and categorized students by their fraternities or sororities.”

Another story was a girl who worked full time at Target to pay her tuition and to help her grandmother at home, as a result she would often sleep at her desk. Regardless, she was determined to pass her classes.

“Everybody told me I was just going to be a hoochie mama,” she said. “I’m going to be a nurse.”

Those were the few bright spots of Maxwell’s experience at Stillman.

By the end of his first year he was exhausted, angry, and sad.

Maxwell said the majority of the students would blow off any extra learning activities, ditch invited speakers, and generally treated the school as a place to hang out as opposed to earning a college degree.

“I was feeling helpless and irrelevant, ” said Maxwell.

He quit the second year.

A week before he left the school campus, he saw his welcoming committee.

“The same four I had seen when I drove onto campus nearly two years earlier were milling about on the lawn. I parked my car and walked over to the group.”

“Why don’t you all hang out somewhere else?”, I asked.

“Who you talking to, old nigger?”, one said.

“You give the school a bad image out here,” I said.

They laughed.

“Hang out somewhere else or at least go to the library and read a book,” I said.

“They laughed and dismissed me with stylized waves of the arm. I walked back to my old Chevy Blazer, sad but relieved that I would be leaving.”

“In my office, I sat at my desk staring at a stack of papers to be graded. I’m wasting my time, I thought. I’ve wasted two years of my professional life. I don’t belong here.”

“I put the papers in a drawer. I did not read them. Why read them?”

His grand plans crushed, Maxwell had an idea of who was to blame.

“I had no doubt that the influences of hip-hop contributed greatly to this ugly reality and other deleterious trends.”

———————

The story is so much more detailed than what I have here.

Check the articles

I Had a Dream

A Dream Lay Dying

While it’s only right to push his experience to the forefront, I don’t think it represents the state of all black colleges, it’s one particular experience. A sampling from a small school, which doesn’t take into account the health of the U.S. education system on a whole.

Maxwell could have taken a job at a neighborhood high school and found the same things. There are a lot kids with no interest in learning that is only amplified by the number of distractions [video games, music, TV, internet, etc.] that exist today. Tack that on to poor habits in general and you have a bunch of kids not sure what to do, and I guess just don’t care beyond Tuesday.

Michelle Obama (Barack Obama’s wife) was on Good Morning America this Monday. She made the point that she is a successful business woman, Princeton graduate, has a Harvard law degree, and Barack Obama has this wall of accolades, but they are not Brothers from Another Planet.

Michelle Obama - Good Morning America

“As we’ve all said in the black community, we don’t see all of who we are in the media. We see snippets… of our community and distortions of our community. So the world has this perspective that somehow Barack and Michelle Obama are different, that we’re unique. And we’re not. You just haven’t seen us before.”

It’s important to let that be known.

Especially when I see an 11-year-old writing in the comment section of this site with a better grasp of the English language than some thirty-year-olds.

Those smart, ambitious black people Michelle Obama hinted at do exist


☼ What's Your Opinion? ☼

1 There are reasons for the apathy. Wed, May 23, 2007 - 9:35 pm

Reasons exist for the lethargy.  Unless someone gets at those reasons, people like this professor must quit.  Could it be that this professor that may have benefited from affirmative action was passing judgment on young black men who are basically given up to prison or death by the age of seven is being just a little to judgmental in his message.  Maybe he could analyze, do some major work and see why these young men have ended up this way.  On another note, all black colleges, even white ones boogie with the black greeks who look down their noses at the young black strugglers like the journalist and the young nursing students.

2 Too many blacks write off those less fortunate. Wed, May 23, 2007 - 9:37 pm

Too many so-called upper crusty blacks write off the young, and now the young are millionaires, with industries behind them.

This professor will die unknown, and he quit after two years at an all black college which is normally below average anyway.

3 A Disaster Wed, May 23, 2007 - 11:51 pm

Frederick Douglass, Malcolm X, MLK and Booker T. Washington must all be spinning in their graves at the degradation of the race which has occurred in recent years, much of it due to the hip hop “culture” which celebrates promiscuity, violence and anti-intellectualism in the name of “keeping it real’.

Our youth have taken on the attitudes and life styles of losers and “dis” the attitudes and activities of people who win in this society.

Frederick Douglass risked his life to simply learn to read.  Booker T. worked tirelessly for years to set up a school for the then newly freed slaves to have a CHANCE to learn.  Malcolm and MLK were murdered trying to uplift the race and these clowns are pissing on their work by not taking advantage of the opportunities they have.

Factually we are WORSE off now than we were during Jim Crow days.  At least then we had self-respect, respect of elders, work ethic and dignity.  We could see a clear enemy; discrimination.  It’s sadly ironic that with overt discrimination defeated, we’ve become our worst enemy.

The professor was simply overwhelmed at not having the tools to reach these youth.  For what did the aforementioned gentlemen struggle for and in some cases die for if this be the result?

4 Let's be honest here! Thu, May 24, 2007 - 11:27 am

Let’s be honest here.  I read both of Maxwell’s articles and I am terribly disappointed in OUR people.  I am a graduate of a an HBCU and I have seen many of the things Maxwell mentions in his two articles.  While his Stillman experience was definitely at the extreme one can observe similar trends at many Black colleges.  Of course the degree of it will vary from school to school since HBCUs are all different for different reasons the fact is that there are TOO MANY students at these schools who DO NOT respect or appreciate the schools, the history, or the opportunity these colleges present them.  There are two types of people at HBCUs:  those that are there because THEY WANT TO BE THERE and those who are there because simply because they can go no where else.  Ironically, one would expect both groups to value HBCUs equally but sadly that is far from reality.  The reality is that the latter not only have no respect or appreciation for the opportunity the BRING A SERIOUS LEVEL OF CONTEMPT AND DISRESPECT for the school, its history, and the education process.

Many criticize Maxwell by saying that he is just looking down on the poor Black youth or he is too bourgeois to understand the so-called “Black” experience or he should take time to understand them.  This is the kind of denial that is crippling our people.  Maxwell took the time to find that the girl sleeping in his class was working to support herself and her grandmother.  He also helped her.  He also took the time to encourage the ONE student he had who actually cared about learning.  College is not mandatory.  If one refuses to even buy a book when they have a voucher then how serious is that person about education?  If students will set fires in MARTIN LUTHER KING HALL of all places how much do they value the school?  No one should have to tell grown men and women that they should go to class if they are in college.  No one should have to tell them to buy textbooks either.  No one should have to tell them that they should not set fires or trash Martin Luther King Hall!  They should know better!

5 Hip Hop not only issue! Thu, May 24, 2007 - 2:35 pm

If HBCU’s are in this state is it really Hip Hop culture’s fault? Hip Hop and peer group pressure can be of benefit (critiquing politics & power) & many contexts yet may be harmful in the educational context. There are multiple factors including dominant culture attitudes that glorify Hip Hop icons too. A Hip Hop Poet is not a stupid individual. They are talented word crafters with often self taught skills. The legacy of the past is important and should be respected and maybe through Hip Hop culture we as a society can move forward to a place where respect is exalted again. The problem tho’ as I see it, is a lack of hope & opportunity. Since making it in society even with a college degree is so difficult and young people know this, that is why there appears to be a lack of respect, it is more a lack of hope. Example: I heard in my living room full of successfully graduated young men of color who also were on their college track team lamenting on how they are rolling sushi, loading boxes etc. They were wondering why they even bothered to go to college now they have huge debts and no “good” job. Why is this? Ask those in Washington I think. Peace Out, Sarah

6 The problem is waaaaayyyyy bigger than hip hop.... Fri, May 25, 2007 - 11:02 am

I am sitting here, reading this, and I just cannot live with the idea that hip hop is the blame. Nah, I don’t buy it. Hip hop did not raise these young men. Hip hop does not teach them the harsh realities of living in America in 2007. Hip hop is not the door to opportunity, teaching them to love themselves, their families, and their friends. So, to make the blanket statement that hip hop screwed all Black people is a terrible mistake. It is a symptom, not the disease.What we need to do is stop living in false worlds created by the entertainment industry and see and understand the truth of living and creating life, love and honor among our people.

7 Did Anyone read "Lies My Teacher Taught Me"? Sat, May 26, 2007 - 5:01 pm

Of all the books written by educators that I’ve read, this one does the best at explaining why Blacks and other people who were victims of American/European/Germanic/Roman/Greek Colonization of the planet reject the current education system.

If educators address this before attempting to “uplift” through “education” they might have a better chance of reaching those so called “thugs”. Admittedly, Professor Maxwell obviously was not.
CvD

8 ILoveMyPeople Fri, Jun 08, 2007 - 4:13 pm

irregardless of what “we” as black people do it will be criticized by any race-most of our own…we talk about it but afraid to act on it! I find alot of intelligent black people whether they went to college, on da block, thugged out, etc.  Everyone has something to offer this world-they just have to find their place.  There is no excuse when it comes to wanting to be successful.  If you want to do something no matter how big no matter how small, you would accomplish it! no one should have to tell you to get up off your a&& and do it.
The problem that i have or think is the issue is being treated as if we are victims.  Black people have come to far and overcome to many obstacles to let something like “hip hop” be an excuse for some failures around the world in our communities.  I do agree that we need work.  What are we gonna do about it….talk on the web,on the job, amongst friends in the privacy of our homes.  If these great leaders that are mentioned in the comments just sat back and “TALKED ABOUT IT” there wouldn’t be a such thing as the NAACP, or CIVIL RIGHTS.  I am tired of hearing that hip hop is the excuse!  tell the government to allow us to discipline our children and not want to lock us up for doing so. 
What we need is someone or something to look up and forward to. A lot of the youth feel as though there is no hope because there are no positive ROLE MODELS at home f**k the television, movies, and music that we choose to watch,and listen to.  Whatever happened to the mother, father, grandmother, aunt, uncle, cousin that use to get on you for not doing well in school for saying “shut up” instead of “be quiet”.  The respect is lost in our community…everything that we see that is NEGATIVE is GLORIFIED.  Honestly we can’t blame anyone but ourselves.  once you reach a certain age even if you were brought up in da slum….it is up to YOU to live your life. but THAT ISN’T TAUGHT ANYMORE. We are taught to point the finger and take the blame of ourselves. I love being Black…I love seeing all my Black Men dressed up in baggy clothes w/braids etc. (call me ignorant if ya want!) the clothes don’t make us who we are…nor does HIP HOP! hell when we didn’t have anything to wear and was slaving in them cotton fields, tap dancing for master….we had dignity,respect, enough pride to COME TOGETHER enough to where we can make billions and be put in the same history book, classroom, jobs, etc as the white man.  I just hope that we can learn to love each other and take the chip off our shoulders.  There are alot of Good Black People…I dare you to greet one!

9 ILoveMyPeople Fri, Jun 08, 2007 - 4:20 pm

I had some more to add….this is obviously a touchy subject to me….Tell that damn professor not to give up success does not happen OVERNIGHT!!!! it is sooooo easy to give up, shut the door, walk out, on your people.  I wonder what would have happened if he STAYED….I thought that was part of his plan anyway right??? He wanted to make a change so bad that he left. Ha! funny….

10 CHIEF 00 Sun, Sep 23, 2007 - 6:33 pm

SINGLE PARENT HOUSEHOLDS, THAT IS WHY A LOT OF THESE BLACK YOUTHS TURN OUT LIKE THIS. BLACK WOMEN, PLEASE STOP HAVING BABIES WHEN YOU KNOW THE FATHER ISN’T GOING TO BE AROUND. YOU CAN NEVER BE A FATHER TO YOUR CHILDREN. YOU HAVE THE FINAL SAY IN WHO YOUR CHILDS FATHER IS GOING TO BE. CHOOSE WISELY LADIES. SOCIETY LIKES TO BLAME THE MAN BUT YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE IN A REAL RELATIONSHIP OR JUST HAVING SEX. BLACK MEN, IF YOU ARE IN A RELATIONSHIP TAKE CARE OF YOUR CHILDREN!!!! BOTH THE MAN AND THE WOMAN SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN THE CHOICE TO HAVE A BABY.

11 Lydia Howell Sat, Jun 27, 2009 - 2:33 pm

Bill Maxwell’s series of articles should be REQUIRED READING. He made clear that SOME of the problems at Stillman were about resources, rude administrators etc. Certainly, he also noted that many of his students had NOT been well prepared by their elementary to high school education. This last point is CRUCIAL to be sure.

But, making excuses for what THE STUDENTS THEMSELVES HAVE POWER OVER is nonsense.These were young ADULTS. And I’ve seen the very SAME kind of “don’t give a shit” attitudes and LACK OF EFFORT when working in an after-school jr. high creative writing programs.

These were all young adults on a college campus—-an opportunity that is harder and harder for those who DON’T come from an upper-middle-class to rich background to have. Financial aide has been cut—but, these students HAD that. So, tell me why they WOULDN’T use vouchers to buy their textbooks???

WHY NOT come to class? WHY NOT do their assignments? WHY trash their dorm room in the MLK Hall?

These are the STUDENTS’ actions and they can NOT just be excused away. I can see it’s too easy to just blame hip hop—-obviously, LOW EXPECTATIONS AT HOME (as well as possibly in public schools)—have as great or more influence as hip hop’s obsession with bling, guns, and casual sex. But, hip hop isn’t totally irrelevant either.

The bottom-line is most of these students WASTED THEIR OPPORTUNITY FOR A COLLEGE EDUCATION. Bill Maxwell took a BIG pay cut to teach st Stillman to students who mostly HAD NO INTEREST IN LEARNING.

Parents: BUY YOUR KIDS BOOKS—not $100 sneakers. TURN OFF THE TV. Demand kids do their homework—and lock up the X-box when they don’t.
Students: THE EFFORT YOU PUT IN WILL DETERMINE THE RESULTS YOU GET. If you don’t take your education seriously, NOTHING AND NOBODY ELSE can make you a success.

A journalist who also tried teaching

12 Tearose Tue, Jul 14, 2009 - 12:10 am

Hey I have seen so much watching my friend raise his child with a ghetto uneducated sister who had 4 kids by 4 different men. I KNEW his daughter would be just another ghetto teen, uneducated, and a mother at sixteen. The things they saw, I knew that I didn’t want to have kids….its the parent especially the mother who has the control over these kids. Whatever the child sees thats what they will emulate…..We as a culture are f**Ked! If the father cares and not in the home as a family unit the child is more or less DOOMED!

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