“We have to realize that as students and as black people, we are attached to image and history. You have a historical responsibility to know who we are, where we come from, and where we need to go. “You have a historical responsibility to know something about your history. You cannot live in ignorance. You must be aware of tradition. Every culture and generation should know something about their people, their past, and their traditions … whether good or bad.” “Knowledge helps people to make the right choices. We always have choices and consequences. Pop culture is good. We have to go beyond pop culture; the world does not live there; it’s just an element of human culture. It is not the sum total of who we are.”
– Dr. Michael Brookshaw, Associate Professor, Spanish
“I felt it was unfortunate that out of all the positive activities that went on during homecoming, he noted a negative aspect. However, it does emphasize to the public and students, how much public appearance reflects on people’s perspectives of you.” -Felisha Davis, senior, business administration, marketing
“In reading the article, I found that it’s bigger than Mr. Ram. A lot of people got the misconception that he’s talking about Mr. Ram, but he’s actually talking about all WSSU students. It’s definitely an eye-opener.”
– Corry Ruffin, Location Manager (Aramark), Alum
“My response to the article was that no matter the approach of the writer, whether or not it was wrong or right, I feel now, it’s the responsibility of the WSSU student population to work harder to supply people with evidence to confirm that this picture is not an image that represents us [the black race, WSSU students]. Basically, I believe it’s a wake-up call, but I felt like he [Nat Irvin] went about it the wrong way and his approach was unfair to use.”
– Heather Davis, senior, business management
“I think Mr. Irvin is off base … he has installed himself as the “fashion police” and it’s an unfair attack on the student dress and it is not a representation of Mr. Alan Brown. Mr. Brown dresses with a lot of style, daily. My generation dressed like that and we were not addressing the “pimp culture.” Today, people like the legendary Ronald Isley dress like that and it isn’t glorified that way. I think it is deployable and I think he’s totally off base. “In the past, Mr. Irvin has criticized those who oppose conservatives like him as a part of the “thought police.” He now has established himself as the “Fashion Police” [Alan] Brown is an “old-school” dresser. “He’s a throwback to my era of dress.” “People have a right to self – expression; It’s unfortunate; he does a disservice to Mr. Brown and to the students and to the public.” “I find his views and Clarence Thomas’ views in opposing affirmative action to be troubling and dangerous to black people.”
– Dr. Larry Little, professor, political science