Duke Student Lashes Out NC Central University
“It seems anyone can get a college degree these days-especially if they go to North Carolina Central University.” Journalist Kristin Butler writes, “standards of integrity there have long been dismal: This is, after all, the school that gave violent felon Solomon Burnette a diploma in 2007.”
This is excerpted from an article entitled, SUMMA CUM LOONY published in Duke University’s school paper, The Chronicle last week. Senior Kristin Butler was writing to express her disgust that people such as Solomon Burnette and Crystal Mangum could be allowed to receive degrees from an accredited university. Mangum made national headlines two years ago when she falsely accused several members of Duke’s lacrosse team of physically and sexually assaulting her.
Burnette, who did time in 1997 for the attempted robbery of two Duke students, went on to earn his degree from North Carolina Central University in 2007 with credits from Duke’s language department. He published the controversial article, “Death to All Rapists” in NC Central’s school newspaper in 2007. Butler believes that neither of these “deviants” deserve the support of an institution of higher education. Her conclusion..
I will never again take an NCCU degree seriously, and neither should any other self-respecting Dukie.. NCCU’s actions are morally bankrupt and far beneath the dignity of a nationally recognized university.
Oh boy.
Butler seems to be holding North Carolina Central University responsible for the actions of its student body. She raises an interesting question: do students who compromise the integrity of their school deserve to remain there? Furthermore, if schools have rules and regulations that demand compliance - shouldn’t a violation of those rules result in their termination? The other side of the debate focuses on fundamental questions like: do former victims of the American “justice” system deserve a college education? Is an institution of higher education “morally bankrupt” because it’s student body drinks, smokes or engages in sexual activity, illegally? And most importantly - what do North Carolina Central University, Cryrtal Mangum and Solomon Burnette all have in common that evokes Kristin Butler’s ire..
Needless to say, Butler’s inflammatory article illuminates an already fragile co-existence between Duke, a wealthy private University whose involvement in Durham’s community leaves much to be desired, and Central, a small HBCU nestled right in the middle of the hood. Post “Duke lacrosse scandal,” relations between Duke University and North Carolina Central University have been tense. Two examples of this tension can be found in Kristin Butler’s article and Solomon Burnette’s article. Which of these journalists express views more consistent with your own?
14 Comments to ‘Duke Student Lashes Out NC Central University’:
Published on May 25, 2008 at 11:55 am.
14 Comments.
Filed under racism, education.
ishmaelthetruthsayer on 25 May 2008 at 2:42 pm: 1
It appears that not all “dukies” forgive and forget. And Solomon Burnette is just another bull shitting ex-con. His crap is racist with a capital R. as well as being factually incorrect.
I live near Detroit (I recently moved out of Detroit) and I cannot remember any news story here about white men raping black women. On the other hand, black on black rapes and black men raping and killing white women are routine.
The only “former victims of the American “justice” system ” are the Duke lacrosse players. And I seem to have missed the details on Solomon Burnette’s conviction - was it armed robbery? Just recently a white college student was shot and killed by a black armed robber in front of a group of shocked witnesses.
pierce - you seem to think the lying whore and the convicted robber are the victims???
Both authors are full of crap.
Pierce on 25 May 2008 at 3:18 pm: 2
the “lying whore” and “convicted robber” are people, first and foremost - Crystal Mangum and Solomon Burnette. The latter is a friend and colleague. I would no sooner discredit Solomon, than I would other convicted felons who went on to peruse careers in journalism and earn college degrees such as Assata Shakur, Mumia Abu Jamal and Malxolm X.
All you have to do is look historically at “news stories” of Black/Latino/Muslim people to see that the media has a long history of disproportionately portraying us negatively. Just because you don’t read about it, does not mean it does not occur. - this is not to say that Black people aren’t guilty of these crimes as well, but you don’t always see the media reporting in a balanced way.
and yes. I do think, in the context of Butler’s article, Solomon and Crystal are the victims of an attack. Why shouldn’t they be entitled to peruse a degree? and why should NC Central be condemned for helping them improve their lives? I agree that the Duke players were also victims of the same American “justice” system. They should have been innocent until proven guilty, instead of expelled. But that’s not NC Central’s fault.
ishmaelthetruthsayer on 25 May 2008 at 7:05 pm: 3
As I stated, “both authors are full of crap”. Ms Butler’s article is immature and self rightous. Solomon and Crystal have every right to pursue any degree they desire. But they are not victims. They have committed bad acts and those acts will follow them the rest of their lives. Solomons article is racist. It is a cliche, but take the word “black” out of his diatribe and replace it with “white” and the article could have been written by the grand wizard of the KKK. Did you ever ask your buddy Solomon why he robbed the Duke students? Was it a statement of racial pride or did he just need some money for whatever?
NC Central is in the business of selling education and degrees like any other university. The are not in the business of enforcing morality.
peace be with you.
Elijah Vick on 25 May 2008 at 8:03 pm: 4
Realy i think shes just trying to get a name by attacking someone who already has one.Central was good enough for the likes of Governor Mike Easley ,Julia Boseman a North Carolina State Senator, and not to mention, Congressman G.K. Butterfield. Im quite sure they all take there NCCU degrees seriously. Ive had many debates about the duke case and Crystal may not have been raped, but there was still some kinda of offensive exchange that took place in that house by A girl who attends NCCU for students that attend DUKE who both entered in a contract which involved the risk or tainting reputations if worst came to wide spread media attention.
Z on 26 May 2008 at 10:01 am: 5
Why does Solomon feel the need to stir the pot by creating such a black vs white divide. All ‘white people’ do not murder, rape and beat ‘black people’ with impunity. I feel this sort of language does nothing to help the healing process that clearly needs to take place in the Durham community.
Selam on 26 May 2008 at 2:51 pm: 6
This is a very complicated discussion.
The fact are not very clear.
ishmaelthetruthsayer on 26 May 2008 at 3:57 pm: 7
A three minute Google search on Mr Solomon Burnette:
At he age of 18 he beat up his Mother, punching her in the face and head. He was convicted of robbing two Duke students at gunpoint. Two convictions for drug possession. One conviction for forgery. One conviction for posession of stolen goods. Despite his 5 convictions on felonies he was on probation until he violated that probation by smoking dope, violating curfew,beating up his mother, and not paying fines. Apparently the local authorities were bending over backwards to give him a break.
His mother was a city councilwoman and he was a gifted student.
Apparently his rationalization for his multiple crimes and convictions is that “white oppression” made him do it.
His “Death to Rapists” article was repudiated by the chancellor of NCCU and by the editor of the college paper.
He wasted much of his life and now blames white people. Prison can really mess up your head.
Q Grrl on 27 May 2008 at 9:32 pm: 8
I live across the street from Mr. Burnette. Whatever his past, he is a committed activist, a firm believer in family, and a young man willing to learn and be challenged.
fred on 29 May 2008 at 3:20 pm: 9
I feel sorry for Solomon. If the above information is true, he probably would have recieved a scholarship to a prestigious university. He seems very intellegent and gifted. But he poisoned his life with stupid crimes. So instead of becoming a journalist, lawyer, corporate executive, researcher, President of the United States, or wherever else his ambition took him, he will have to find alternate ways to succeed.
Jarrett Carter on 29 May 2008 at 8:17 pm: 10
The Duke author was clearly biased and misguided in her comments. It’s clear that she was writing to incite response and ill will.
There’s nothing much to discuss about Crystal Mangum, and especially not in the way that NCCU should be discredited for a degree she likely earned outside of her character troubles.
a million on 31 May 2008 at 12:43 am: 11
First and foremost Duke and NCCU are wonderful schools with highly motived individuals attending both schools. If we took the time to go through each and every person’s background at both schools i’m sure it would come across as astonishing for most simply because we would come across lifestyles that will be unacceptable. NOBODY is perfect and trust there are Duke students who are just as worse but their story hasnt been told. I will not judge anyone for what they believe or what they have done in the past, but the past is the past and Ms. Mangum and Mr. Burnette are entitled to their degrees. These people are showing that despite their wrong doings getting their education is an important part of their lives. There is no doubt that the past can come back to haunt a person but how one handles that obstacle is what matters. I commend both for earning their degrees. As for Ms. Butler she’s probably no saint either and whatever is in the dark will eventually come to light.
ishmaelthetruthsayer on 5 Jun 2008 at 2:53 pm: 12
This is not about Duke or NCCU but is about racism. Last weekend a group of 20 to 30 blacks beat the hell out of a white man. He is now in the hospital in serious condition.
see the following for an eye witness account:
“i was the 911 caller that gave the police the directions to the attack. it was the most violent thing i ever seen. my 12 year old watched the whole thing. my 8 year old was on the floor screaming. while i called 911. the black people would not move out of anyones way they blocked north river road and the road inside gibarter. my chrildren have had nightmares since the attack. we kept our car infront of the mob and had to take off when they started to come after us. i was the first car there. i could not get out and help there was just to many attackers. i did talk to the police. my heart goes out to the family”
The white mans offence? He got out of his wifes mini-van when one of the blacks threw a brick through her window.
If they are ever caught will they be called the “Mt Clemens Thirty”? Maybe you’all can come to Michigan and march for them. Grow up people - thugs are just thugs, not activists.
fred on 6 Jun 2008 at 8:22 am: 13
www.macomb-sheriff.com - for a video of one of the attacks made by the “mt clemens thirty”.
Matthew on 8 Jun 2008 at 9:22 pm: 14
Kind of interesting she is competent enough to get a degree but not competent to stand trial…