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Local University Changed heart. Rev. Wright is "Disinvited"

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408

The article in our local newspaper News-Journal published the Report: Rev. Wright disinvited to B-CU graduation

Bethune-Cookman University, recently changed the name from Bethune-Cookman College is one of the first original black colleges.

Rev. Wright was invited to participate in this year's commencement, but the University changed their mind because of all the remarks Rev. Wright made and the speeches that followed

The University awarded Wright an honorary degree in 2002.

The University had actress Cicely Tyson and businessman Earl Graves at the graduation April 19.

As usual with the University, the do not comment on their decision. 

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Jon Zolsky, your Daytona Beach Connection
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Broker Nick
South Florida Real Estate & Development, Inc. - Coconut Creek, FL
Broker Nick Relocation Broker Service
I also believe they wanted to send a message to the Rev. Wrong that his message is evil.
May 03, 2008 01:55 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
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Hugh - Actually the University is true to itself. They disassociated themselves from the Black College Reunion, which was the most controvercial event in the area.

It was just a confirmation that this is a serious educational institution, and they stay away from any cheap and scandalous activity.

What is interesting is that they always decline comment. They just go about their business.

May 03, 2008 05:34 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices
Nicholas - I am not sure about that, but for me "do not come" is good enough.
May 03, 2008 05:36 PM
» Bill Burress Nationwide Mortgage Originator
» Bill Burress Nationwide Mortgage Originator - Fort Myers, FL

Jon:

The University did the right thing by disinviting Wright, however they did the wrong thing by giving this nut job an honorary degree in 2002 after his September 2001 rant about how America brought terrorism on itself on 9/11 and how America's missions abroad are terrorism.

May 04, 2008 12:02 AM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
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Bill - I guess, in a nindsight, they regret it now. ALso, maybe at that time they did not know it. They did not sit in the church and listen to his sermons. Barak was sitting there and still did not hear anything...
May 04, 2008 02:17 AM
Broker Nick
South Florida Real Estate & Development, Inc. - Coconut Creek, FL
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Well, now that he is exposed they should take back that honorary degree and burn it before the world on television.

May 04, 2008 02:23 AM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices
Nicholas - Are you serious? Can you do it? Can you take it back?
May 04, 2008 02:31 AM
Broker Nick
South Florida Real Estate & Development, Inc. - Coconut Creek, FL
Broker Nick Relocation Broker Service

It was an honorary degree in which the University felt that he deserved it. Now they can see they made a mistake. You answer that question for me?

May 04, 2008 02:43 AM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
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Nicholas -  May be they can. I do not know that. I thought tha if you gave it, you can't take it back. But again, I do not know if they can.

Anyway, the point is that they reacted to the scandal in a very professional way, No comments as usual, no explanations...

May 04, 2008 04:49 AM
Simon Conway
Orlando Area Real Estate Services - Orlando, FL
Nick - wouldn't that be a statement. We are taking it back and right in front of the world's press we are setting light to it. I'd pay to see that one!
May 04, 2008 08:13 AM
» Bill Burress Nationwide Mortgage Originator
» Bill Burress Nationwide Mortgage Originator - Fort Myers, FL

Nick:

Why don't you start a "Take back the degree" campaign?

 

May 04, 2008 08:17 AM
Simon Conway
Orlando Area Real Estate Services - Orlando, FL
That's brilliant Bill! But Jon is local - he should start it and we can all join in!
May 04, 2008 08:31 AM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Simon & Bill - I do not believe that even if that would be possible, the University would want to go this route.

Personally I think that this is a dead end. Rev. Wright was enlisted and was honorably discharged.  Can this be changed to dishonorably discharged based on what he does later in life? If you give someone a driver's license, can you revoke it years later for a sermon goes awry?

The college obviously gave him the degree for something, and I do not see how you can take it for something different.

Are you chasing phantoms?

May 04, 2008 01:44 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Simon & Bill -Also, why you need this? I am just curious. I could find only one reason, which is to expose him to the world. But this has already been done. Everyone had the chance to listen to the whole sermon and make up their mind, and also, to listen to his speech full of antics. Everyone could make up their mind.

What burning his diploma adds to that? Aren't we are trying to whip the corpse? Do we need to get to burning diplomas (flags, men of straw....). Do we need to destroy Rev. Wright?

May 04, 2008 01:57 PM
Ted Baker
Carmody and Associates LLC - Winter Haven, FL
MidFloridaMediation.com

Gentle friends - let us assume that burning at the stake has passed out of fashion a few centuries ago. 

Jeremiah Wright performed a lifetime of service to his church and community.  I believe that his message from the pulpit was diminished by his ties to the past and corrupted by his flawed vision of our nation and the opportunities now open to all.  But I do not find him to be evil or malicious - only misguided.  His faults are now visible for all to see.  He will be judged by a power greater than ours.

It appears that Bithune-Cookman University is doing the right thing.  They are sending their graduates into the world with a positive message of hope and potential.  That is the way to combat the negative message of Pastor Wright and others like him.  

Thanks, Jon, for your post of how the University is acting appropriately with the courage of their beliefs. I commend the administration.

 

May 05, 2008 12:27 AM
Mike Frazier
Carousel Realty of Dyer County - Dyersburg, TN
Northwest Tennessee Realtor

Jon,

I think they made the "Wright" decision on this one!

May 05, 2008 05:26 AM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices
Ted - Thank you, me too. Not for political gain, not for popularity, not with PR action all over. Quietly, the way they do about their business, whether we like it or not. They are consistent, and earn the respect.
May 05, 2008 05:17 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices
Mike - What a creative way to say it, and very right (or wright? LOL)
May 05, 2008 05:18 PM
Lisa Lambert
The Law Offices of Elisabeth A. Lambert - Fresno, CA
Esq. 1031 Exchange Expert
Did I also read that Northwestern also disinvited the "Reverend?" He has the right to free speech but a University doesn't need to sponsor a hate filled diatribe.
May 05, 2008 05:42 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices
Lisa - Yes, you got it right (or 'wright"). For me it was not only the hate, it was immature, full of antics, very about him. So, Obama had the right to cal it 'Spectacle'
May 05, 2008 05:50 PM