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Dr. Cornel West is an intellectual giant, one of a select group of academics who have recognition outside their field; he has published a wide range of books and has frequently appeared as a talking head on TV, and he is known for his fiery progressive politics and criticism of race in the U.S. He was also just denied consideration for tenure by Harvard University, where he currently teaches.

West implied, in a tweet, that Harvards decision is retaliation for his critical stance on Israel. Is Harvard a place for a free Black man like myself whose Christian faith & witness put equal value on Palestinian & Jewish babies like all babies & reject all occupations as immoral? he wrote.

Harvard contests these allegations; Wests appointment, a joint position between the Harvard Divinity School and the Harvard Department of African American Studies, was not a tenure-track role, so the committee which reviewed and renewed his position say they did not have the authority to evaluate him for tenure. They did offer him a 10-year contract and an endowed chair, the Victor S. Thomas Professorship of Public Philosophy.

But West says the issue was his work. What Im told is its too risky. And these are quotes. Its too fraught. And Im too controversial, he told the Boston Globe.

West is threatening to leave Harvard over what he refers to as disrespect. If he does so, it will not be the first time; West taught at Harvard from 1994-2002, and left over disagreements with then-president Lawrence Summers. Summers criticized Wests spoken word albums and involvement with Al Sharpton, as well as accusing him of contributing to grade inflation. Later, on NPR, West called Summers the Ariel Sharon of higher education.

Its also not the first time West has caught flak for his positions on Israel; the professor criticized President Obama harshly over his support for Israel, calling him a war criminal who is complicit in innocent deaths, to the dismay of many on the left.

However, West is not the first casualty of an opaque tenure process at Harvard; he is simply the professor with the highest profile to be rejected. He is part of a rising dispute with Harvards tenure system, which critics argue tends to deny tenure to women and people of color in particular. In the past few years, the university has denied tenure to several people of color, including those such as West who have activist ties, leading to calls for greater transparency from both students and the academic world.

Professor Ahmed Ragab was a professor of science and religion at Harvard, an Egyptian immigrant specializing in medieval Islamic history as well as an activist on issues of immigration as well as trans rights. He was the first Muslim professor to come up for tenure at the Divinity School, but was denied without a review from the tenure committee in 2019. (Full disclosure=: I was a student at the Divinity School during this time, and took a course with Ragab; I did not study with West. Hundreds of my fellow students signed a letter of protest, which also noted the universitys failure to retain women and people of color as faculty, citing two women in Asian studies who left Harvard after being denied tenure.)

In 2020, Lorgia Garcia-Pena, a professor of Romance Languages and Literatures who studied race and ethnicity, was also denied tenure despite an overwhelmingly positive faculty review; the ad hoc committee, which decides tenure at Harvard, still rejected her. Students and ethnic studies scholars signed letters criticizing the decision and excoriating Harvards supposed commitment to diversity and ethnic studies.

Universities cannot simultaneously pledge a commitment to diversity and inclusion, and not take seriously the knowledge produced by and for communities that have long been excluded from or marginalized within the academy, the faculty letter reads.

West is not overtly a victim of Harvards secretive, closed-door tenure process; his request for tenure was denied because his post was not tenure-track, not because a secretive committee found him lacking in some way. But elite universities often bend rules to lure famed thinkers to their hallowed halls, to continue a reputation of excellence and to draw students. West is an obvious candidate for such a choice, especially if Harvard is putting an emphasis on diversity the student body who is attracted by West naturally tends to be diverse.

West clearly feels that the denial of tenure is not truly a technical issue. If I cannot be put up for tenure, then it is clear they dont think Im worthy of tenure, he said.

Mira Fox is a fellow at the Forward. Get in touch at fox@forward.com or on Twitter @miraefox.

Harvard denied Cornel West tenure. Is Israel why?

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Harvard denied Cornel West tenure. Are his comments on Israel the reason? - Forward

NEWARK, NJ Some of New Jersey's largest cities have a plan to turn the tables on "one of the worst racial wealth gaps in the nation" by boosting Black and Latinx business owners.

Recently, officials in Newark, Orange, East Orange, Paterson, Camden, Trenton, Irvington, and Atlantic City announced they're teaming up on a statewide program that's been dubbed the New Jersey Forty Acres and a Mule Fund (NJ FAM Fund).

The goal? To put a massive infusion of capital directly in the hands of New Jersey's Black and Latinx business owners and communities.

According to the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, the median net worth of New Jersey's white families is $309,000, while the median for New Jersey's Latinx and Black families is just $7,020 and $5,900, respectively one of the worst racial wealth gaps in the nation.

Hopefully, the NJ FAM fund can narrow those gaps by leveling the financial playing field, its supporters say.

Organizers are trying to raise $100 million to power the program, via charitable contributions, investments from financial institutions and donations from corporate partners.

The fund will redistribute the wealth with a variety of financial mechanisms:

While the fund targets Black and Latinx-owned businesses, it also aims to boost those that serve customers in a neighborhood with a high population of minority residents. Some possible uses include creating affordable housing, rehabilitating residential/commercial properties, building community facilities and launching retail stores.

Learn more about the program and see eligibility details here.

40 ACRES AND A MULE

Why "40 Acres and a Mule?" According to organizers:

The NJ FAM fund grew out of a similar concept announced in Newark in September 2020, the Newark 40 Acres and a Mule Fund. The program has already seen support from celebrities such as Shaquille O'Neal and the Rev. Al Sharpton, as well as a roster of high-profile corporate sponsors.

In addition to O'Neal a former NBA star who has invested in other real estate projects in Newark some of the fund's first investors include AT&T, Panasonic, Carlos Medina of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, the Nelson Mullins Law Firm, New Jersey Community Capital, PSE&G and Popular Bank.

Since then, Newark's program has seen increasing attention as the coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc on businesses across the Garden State.

"The past year has been extremely difficult and put a spotlight on the racial wealth gap that exists in our country, but we cannot pretend that this problem is something new," said Bernel Hall, managing partner of the New Jersey FAM Fund.

"We look forward to expanding this initiative as partners come to the table," Hall said.

Those partners include:

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka "While the racial wealth gap is a national struggle, it is especially salient in Newark. Minority businesses have always faced more roadblocks than their counterparts and the pandemic has only worsened the issue. The NJ FAM Fund aims to help these businesses reach their full potential in these tumultuous times. These investments will be a tremendous tool for the minority business community in Newark and we are incredibly grateful for this generous support."

East Orange Mayor Ted Green "When the difference in median net worth between White families and Black/Latinx families is nearly 200%, that is much more than a social disparity. That kind of gap is representative of the inequitable financial policies that have kept Black and Latinx businesses and families behind the national curve for decades. This initiative is how we start to bring balance to the communities that have been devastated the most. This is how we make amends and bring generational wealth into our communities."

Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora "We're proud to stand with Mayor Baraka and other city leaders who understand that an equitable business environment is crucial to maintaining the diverse identity of our urban communities. Despite decades of institutional and financial obstacles, many of our Black and Latino residents still put in the hard work to become entrepreneurs. We need programs like the one announced today to help make sure those historical challenges are not an impediment to their long-term success."

Camden Mayor Frank Moran "The NJ FAM Fund will help level the playing field for the Black and Latinx businesses not only in Camden but in urban areas across New Jersey. The small business community has traditionally been the foundation of our local economy. As elected officials, it is our objective to identify resources which can not only help support but foster economic growth. Since the onset of the pandemic, so many of our Black and Latinx businesses have been impacted and are now facing dire circumstances. The NJ FAM Fund represents an outstanding collaborative effort to support these struggling businesses while shrinking the racial wealth gap."

Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh "There is strength in solidarity and I am honored to join forces with my conscientious colleagues to support this imperative initiative. We are mayors meeting the moment and our Latinx and Black businesses need our leadership now more than ever."

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. "I'm honored to join Mayor Baraka and other Urban Mayors throughout The State for The FAM Fund. During these trying times this will assist African American and Latino business as we restart and recover our economy. The great city of Atlantic City looks forward as a participating municipality to support current business and bring new industries to diversify our economy."

Irvington Mayor Tony Vauss "Although it is reported that minority owned businesses represent the fastest growing business sector in the U.S. economy, Black and Latinx business owners continue to face significantly more obstacles starting their businesses and maintaining growth. Our country's current economic crisis presents a significantly heightened challenge. Therefore, it made sense for us mayors of urban communities to work together to create the NJ FAM Fund in order to help the businesses that are the heart of our communities, Black and Latinx businesses."

Orange Mayor Dwayne Warren "On behalf of the City of Orange Township, I am excited to work with Newark Mayor Ras Baraka alongside other urban cities to help build up Black and Latino businesses. Determining how we invest our budget dollars in small businesses in our communities is one of the many initiatives underway as we move our state forward. This fund serves as a reminder of the work we need to continue to do to create equity in the business sector."

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Don't forget to visit the Patch Newark Facebook page. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Sign up for Patch email newsletters.

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8 NJ Cities Fight Wealth Gap With Black, Latinx Business Fund - Patch.com

Because of offensive tweets posted by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, before she won office, House Democrats joined by 11 Republicans voted to strip her of her committee assignments.

If this is the new standard, can we apply this to the Rev. Al Sharpton, aka a Democratic "kingmaker," whose support was solicited by every major 2020 Democratic presidential candidate?

About Sharpton's power and stature, The Atlantic, in 2019, said: "The 2020 Democrats' courting of Sharpton is well under way. He says he expects his endorsement to make a difference when he makes it. ... Sharpton occupies a distinct space. Other than Barack Obama, there is no better-known Black leader in the country, nor one with bigger reach: The National Action Network has 100 chapters across America, and Sharpton himself hosts a radio show on 70 stations every weekday and a TV show on MSNBC on Saturdays and Sundays."

Once upon a time, normal people found Sharpton offensive. Take former Rep. Joe Scarborough, now a cozy colleague of Sharpton on MSNBC, where both host cable shows. How offensive did Scarborough once find Sharpton? When then-Republican Scarborough served as a U.S. House representative from Florida in 2000, he introduced the following resolution, entitled "Condemning the Racist and Anti-Semitic Views of The Reverend Al Sharpton":

"Whereas the Reverend Al Sharpton has referred to members of the Jewish faith as 'bloodsucking (J)ews' and ... referred to members of the Jewish faith as 'white interlopers' and 'diamond merchants'; ... was found guilty of defamation by a jury in a New York court arising from the false accusation that former Assistant District Attorney Steven Pagones, who is white, raped and assaulted a fifteen year-old Black girl; ... has refused to accept responsibility and expresses no regret for defaming Mr. Pagones; ... Sharpton's vicious verbal anti-Semitic attacks directed at members of the Jewish faith, and in particular, a Jewish landlord, arising from a simple landlord-tenant dispute with a Black tenant, incited widespread violence, riots and the murder of five innocent people; ... Sharpton's fierce demagoguery incited violence, riots and murder in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, New York, following the accidental death of a Black pedestrian child hit by the motorcade of Orthodox Rabbi Menachem Schneerson; ... Sharpton led a protest in the Crown Heights neighborhood and marched next to a protester with a sign that read 'The White Man is the Devil'; ... has insulted members of the Jewish faith by challenging Jews to violence and stating to Jews to 'pin down' their yarmulkes. ...

"Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), that the Congress --

"(1) condemns the practices of the Reverend Al Sharpton, which seek to divide Americans on the basis of race, ethnicity, and religion;

"(2) expresses its outrage over the violence that has resulted due to the Reverend Al Sharpton's incendiary words and actions; and

"(3) fervently urges elected officials and public servants, who have condoned and legitimized the Reverend Al Sharpton's incendiary words and actions, to publicly denounce and condemn such racist and anti-Semitic views."

At the 1995 Million Man March, Sharpton said, "O.J. is home, but Mumia Abu-Jamal ain't home, and we won't stop till all our people that need a chance in an awkward and unbalanced criminal justice system can come home." Of course, O.J. Simpson, whose acquittal was celebrated by Sharpton, murdered two people. As for Abu-Jamal, a Black man, he was convicted in 1982 for the execution-style murder of a white Philadelphia cop. The prosecutor called the case "the strongest I ever had." CNN host Michael Smerconish co-wrote, along with the slain officer's widow, a book called "Murdered by Mumia." Smerconish criticizes "ignorant" supporters of Jamal who, like Sharpton, call Abu-Jamal innocent. Smerconish also said that the cop killer's multiple post-conviction appeals "made a mockery of the judicial system."

Ladies and gentlemen, make way for Al Sharpton, Democratic kingmaker.

2021, Creators

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If Greene is the standard, what about Democratic 'kingmaker' Sharpton? - Chicago Daily Herald

This week on PBS stations throughout the nation, including our own ATL PBA, an extraordinary and compelling documentary from Dr. Henry Louis Gates debuts. The four-part series is called The Black Church: This is Our Story, This is Our Song.

The series tells a 400-year-old story of the Black church in America, tracing and connecting its African roots to modern day experiences of African-Americans. In addition to worship, the series shows the many roles of the church, which the Rev. Al Sharpton describes as the epicenter of Black life. The culture of a Black church includes music, praise dances, gospel songs, hymns, and fashion.

A bonus feature to The Black Church has been created by Public Broadcasting Atlanta multiplatform producers Brianna Carr and Jaime Green. The feature, Tell Me The Story is specific to Atlanta and it explores the Black church experience in our city. They both joined City Lights host Lois Reitzes to talk about this project.

It means so much to us to know that we get to share this beautiful world of worship, of faith, with our colleagues and viewers. To just invite them into this world and get a glimpse of what its like in the Black church, its very exciting, said Carr. Green added, We were inspired by Henry Louis Gates piece, but we got to dig much deeper into that conversation locally. Specifically seeing different leadership roles and seeing different people that would not always be put into the limelight of leading these amazing congregations in this lovely city. And then also a little of the history. We have so many historical churches here and we only scratch the surface. There are hundreds and hundreds of churches here and we couldnt tell every story, but we wanted to make sure we really touched on the voice of Atlanta.

The #AtlantaSundaysBest gallery will be featured on WABE.org/TellMeTheStory. You can see the Black Church: This is Our Story, This is Our Song Feb. 17 on PBA at 9PM and 11PM.

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PBA's 'Tell Me The Story' Explores the Black Church Experience In Atlanta | 90.1 FM WABE - WABE 90.1 FM

Pine Bluff, Ark. Civil rights activist, author and media personality Rev. Dr. Al Sharpton will be the featured speaker for the Office of Student Involvement and Leaderships Black History Month virtual event on Thursday, Feb. 11 at 4:00 p.m.

The veteran civil rights leader will discuss the focus of this years event, Unity for our Nation. It is free and open to the public to attend.

The political unrest our country has experienced will be studied and examined for generations to come at institutions like ours, said Kara Brown, dean of student activities. This event not only celebrates the legacy of Rev. Sharpton as an outspoken leader in the ongoing struggle for civil rights and a first-hand witness to history but also provides our campus community with insights for how we can collectively work together to strengthen our nation.

Sharpton is one of Americas foremost voices in the battles against economic and social injustices and political inequity. He is the founder and President of the National Action Network, a not-for-profit civil rights organization formed in 1991 with more than 100 chapters nationwide. Sharpton also hosts the daily radio show Keepin it Real w/ Rev. Al Sharpton and a national cable news television show entitled Politics Nation. His most recent book, Rise Up: Confronting a Country at the Crossroads, was published in September 2020 and is already a national bestseller.

The event will begin with an opening ceremony featuring Leon Jones III, president of the Political Science Club. Jones is a Political Science major and last summer co-hosted a virtual event following the death of George Floyd. Jones said he recognized the impact these types of events can have on a community.

I saw people from all different backgrounds coming together trying to find clarity and understanding, Jones said. It was pretty special, and Im excited to be in a space, yes virtually however, a shared space with a seasoned and wise activist.

The free event will be hosted via Zoom webinar. Details for accessing the webinar can be found at uapb.edu.

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Rev. Dr. Al Sharpton will speak at UAPBs Black History Month Event - KARK