Swag Award of the Week May 11-17

Yesterday, I received an email from Dr. Boyce Watkins, an accomplished and outspoken finance professor at my alma mater, Syracuse University. The email was regarding his denial to be granted tenure by Syracuse. He was selected as the Top Graduating senior in Finance by the Wall St. Journal during his college years. He was the only African American to receive a PhD in finance in 2002, and has been a professor at SU since. 

As a professor of  finance, Dr. Watkins often offers financial advice and tips for people of color in the 21st century. He also uses his websites, yourblackworld.com & boycewatkins.com to speak out on issues and injustices concerning the black community. In addition to his websites, Watkins often appears on news outlets to offer commentary on issues regarding African Americans such as compensation for NCAA athletes, the Jena 6 trial, Hurricane Katrina, Don Imus & financial matters. 

In his email, Watkins announced that Syracuse had denied his request for tenure meaning he will soon be dismissed by the university. Here is the letter:

Hello to my friends, 

In case you don't know, my tenure case was denied, which means I'll be dismissed by Syracuse University.  I personally am not offended, as I didn't expect to receive tenure after the attacks by Bill O'Reilly last year and the work I've done speaking out on behalf of NCAA athletes (Syracuse earns tens of millions from athlete families and likely lost alumni donations after the Bill O'Reilly attacks - I stand by every word, however, since I won't allow a racist like O'Reilly to speak of lynching Michelle Obama or any other Black woman for that matter).  Additionally, our business school (The Whitman School of Management) has not, to my knowledge, recommended tenure for any African American, in any department, in its entire 100 years of operating history (I can't concur with the conclusion that every Black scholar on the planet is unqualified to be here).  So, while we can say all we want about elusive and idealistic concepts such as academic freedom, most scholars understand that the rules change when you are an outspoken Black man with no significant Black male power presence on your campus.  My role was to support pre-existing intellectual, social and administrative paradigms, not to engage in active, progressive scholarship.

 But the goal of this interview is not to talk so much about my tenure case, since I don't need tenure in order to be validated as a scholar (I get supportive email every day).  The goal is to speak on behalf of my colleagues, many of whom are absolutely petrified of standing up to the administration in public (they typically agree with me behind closed doors and then say that they can't go public without being punished).  A supportive senior colleague (who is not Black, by the way) made it clear to me that if I do not stand up on these issues, then it may be another 100 years before another Black scholar has the platform to do so. Being that I was the only African American on earth to get a PhD in Finance in 2002, I am used to fighting battles alone. I am willing to sacrifice the rest of my academic career in order to do so, for I see this as a great opportunity to help others. 

 But I stand out of respect and love, not out of hate or anger.  Anyone familiar with the history of Syracuse University knows that racial progress has never come without struggle, so this is my opportunity to contribute to the legacy left by Jim Brown, my respected brother and spiritual predecessor.  I would not be here were it not for the sacrifices of those before me. 

So, this is the first of a series of conversations I plan to have on this topic, as my discussions with Cornel West and others have helped me to realize that what I am experiencing at Syracuse is not an idiosyncratic phenomenon. Academia is racially sick, and we must all give it the necessary medicine.  

 The first interview will be on "Make it Plain with Mark Thompson" on Sirius 146 and XM 167 at 6:30 pm EST.  I hope you'll tune in.  Also, if you want to see some of my commentary on AOL Black Voices, please click here. God bless.

Dr. Boyce

For all of his appearances on national media outlets, none caused more controversy/brought more attention to Dr. Watkins and the University than his spat with Bill O'Reilly & Juan Williams of FOX News. In 2007, O'Reilly made some inflammatory remarks about his first trip to Sylvia's restaurant in Harlem for dinner with the Rev. Al Sharpton. On his radio show, O'Reilly expresses his disbelief that patrons at Sylvia's were as well mannered and well-dressed as patrons at an Italian restaurant in the suburbs. Are you serious? Listen to O'Reilly's comments and read a full transcript here. 

Dr. Watkins appeared on CNN shortly after to offer his opinion on O'Reilly and his intentions.

Watkins drew fire for his remarks about Bill O'Reilly and calling FOX's black analyst Juan Williams, a "happy negro" for continuing to agree with O'Reilly and not challenging him for perpetuating stereotypes about black people. I'm sure the university received a lot of phone calls and emails calling for Watkins' head from parents and donors who watch Bill O'Reilly and were outraged at Watkins' comments.

As I have said before, 'swag' is a loosely used term, but a major component in my mind is being confident in yourself and your actions despite the circumstances. Dr. Watkins embodies that swag. As a professor of finance at a predominantly white, private university, at a business school that has not tenured an African American in its 100 year history, I'm sure there were more than enough reasons Dr. Watkins could have chosen to keep his mouth shut and not challenge O'Reilly. He continues to put politically correctness aside in favor of holding people accountable and stimulating uncomfortable but necessary dialogue. 

It saddens me that my alma mater, home to one of the most reputable journalism schools in America, a school that champions freedom of speech and protecting first Amendment rights (and even has the words of the First Amendment in six foot letters on its windows outdoors) would rather dismiss Dr. Watkins than keep a man with as much intellect and passion as he in its ranks. Jay-Z said it best, "swagger is not a must, it's a liability..." Keep your head up Dr. Watkins.