FAMU Funding Fight Explodes. DeSantis Maps Stand. Fisk Data Center Backlash
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Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Florida A&M University is suing the state for over $2 billion in federal land-grant funds that were diverted to predominantly white institutions.
- ❖Black Voters Matter launched "Declaration of a New Nation" to spark community-wide discussions on reimagining constitutional protections and Black political power.
- ❖Bishop William Barber advocates for a micro-level, data-driven voter mobilization strategy, including organized "marches on the polls" during early voting periods.
Insights
1FAMU Lawsuit Revived for Billions in Underfunding
The US Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit revived a lawsuit by Florida A&M University (FAMU) students and alumni, alleging the university was cheated out of over $2 billion in federal land-grant funds over 30 years. These funds, intended for land-grant institutions, were historically diverted by the state to predominantly white universities, leading to FAMU's campus dilapidation, lack of resources, and loss of unique programs like its law school.
Attorney Josh Duven, representing the FAMU students, confirmed the lawsuit is specific to the money owed, citing a Biden administration letter to Governor DeSantis about HBCU shortchanging. He noted FAMU's campus is 'falling apart' and its science labs lack working supplies, contrasting it with the University of Florida's funding.
2Black Voters Matter Launches 'Declaration of a New Nation' Initiative
Black Voters Matter initiated a program called 'Declaration of a New Nation' to reimagine America's governing documents and enshrine protections for Black Americans, independent of political power shifts. This involves community town halls, a four-part docuseries, and a social media campaign to spark debate and build collective vision for the future.
April England Albright, Chief of Staff and Co-founder of Black Voters Matter, explained the initiative as a 'build and defend' aspect of their work, aiming to go beyond existing amendments to create an America that 'enshrines our protections regardless of who is in power.' The first town hall is scheduled for Juneteenth in Galveston.
3CNN Accused of Sidelining Fact-Checker Daniel Dale Due to Trump Pressure
Host Roland Martin alleges that CNN has deliberately sidelined its chief fact-checker, Daniel Dale, from on-air appearances for three months to avoid antagonizing Donald Trump. Martin, a former CNN employee, views this as a conscious executive decision driven by corporate interests and fear of retribution, compromising journalistic integrity.
Roland Martin stated, 'He hasn't been on the air in three months... that is a conscious decision by executives.' He further elaborated that 'Donald Trump hates when he's on the air because what he does is he exposes the lies of Donald Trump.'
4Bishop William Barber Advocates for Data-Driven, Micro-Level Voter Mobilization
Bishop William Barber outlined a strategic, long-term voter mobilization plan focusing on micro-level organizing, data collection, and continuous engagement. This includes training community leaders, using technology for targeted messaging, and organizing 'marches on the polls' during early voting periods to maximize turnout and influence specific elections.
Bishop Barber stated, 'The extremists... touched their people 12 times before the election.' He emphasized training 'brothers in the first fundamentals' and using technology like texting to send 'report cards, videos, and direct messaging' to voters. He proposed 'marches from HBCUs, from churches, from lodges, from community buildings, just marches right there straight to the polls' on the first day of early voting.
5Controversy Erupts Over Fisk University Data Center Proposal
Fisk University's plan to build a data center on campus has sparked controversy, with students protesting and State Representative Justin Jones alleging his class on AI dangers was canceled due to his criticism. Panelists express concern about environmental impact and the potential for other HBCUs to be exploited by similar offers due to historical underfunding.
Roland Martin mentioned, 'Fisk University says they want to put a data center on campus. A lot of people say they don't want that on their campus.' Greg Carr stated, 'I am really concerned that this is the opening salvo in an attempt to buy data centers at HBCUs.' Cameron Trimble added, 'putting this in right in the heart of of schools, it feels like old red lining.'
Bottom Line
The FAMU lawsuit could set a precedent for a coordinated, multi-state legal offensive against systemic HBCU underfunding, potentially unlocking billions for institutions across the country.
This legal strategy could fundamentally alter the financial landscape for HBCUs, enabling them to invest in infrastructure, programs, and student support, thereby strengthening their role as economic and educational pillars.
Legal organizations and philanthropic groups could establish a dedicated fund to support and coordinate these multi-state lawsuits, providing resources and expertise to accelerate the pursuit of equitable funding.
The alleged suppression of a fact-checker at CNN highlights a broader trend of mainstream media prioritizing political appeasement over journalistic integrity, creating a critical vacuum for independent media to fill.
This shift reinforces the necessity for audiences to seek out and support independent news sources that are unencumbered by corporate or political pressures, ensuring access to unbiased information.
Independent media platforms can strategically position themselves as trusted sources for unvarnished fact-checking and analysis, leveraging the perceived failures of mainstream outlets to build audience and influence.
The 'Declaration of a New Nation' initiative by Black Voters Matter represents a long-term, proactive approach to constitutional reform, moving beyond reactive political engagement to fundamentally reshape governance for Black liberation.
This strategy aims to create lasting structural change rather than temporary political gains, potentially establishing a more robust framework for racial equity that is resilient to changing political tides.
Advocacy groups and legal scholars can collaborate to develop concrete constitutional amendments or interpretations that would enshrine protections and address historical injustices, providing tangible goals for this 'new nation' framework.
Key Concepts
Systemic Racism in Funding
The concept that historical and ongoing state policies have systematically deprived Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) of equitable funding, diverting federal land-grant money to predominantly white institutions, leading to resource disparities and program limitations.
Economic Engine of HBCUs
The understanding that HBCUs are not just educational institutions but also significant economic drivers for their local communities and states, contributing jobs, tax base, and a skilled workforce, making their underfunding a broader economic detriment.
Micro-Level Organizing
A strategy for political mobilization that focuses on granular, localized efforts (e.g., door-to-door canvassing, targeting specific precincts, leveraging church networks) with data-driven precision, rather than broad, less targeted campaigns, to achieve measurable electoral shifts.
Capitulation of Mainstream Media
The idea that major news networks, driven by corporate interests and fear of political retribution, may compromise journalistic integrity by suppressing critical reporting or fact-checking on powerful figures, thereby creating a void that independent media must fill.
Lessons
- Support organizations like Black Voters Matter and Repairs of the Breach that are actively engaging in voter education, registration, and mobilization efforts, particularly at the micro-level.
- Engage in local community discussions and town halls to collectively reimagine constitutional protections and advocate for legislative changes that enshrine Black liberation.
- Seek out and support independent media platforms that prioritize fact-checking and unbiased reporting, especially when mainstream outlets are perceived to be capitulating to political pressure.
Bishop William Barber's Micro-Level Voter Mobilization Strategy
Educate voters on what is at stake in elections and the specific laws in their state regarding voter registration and participation.
Utilize data to identify infrequent voters and target them with personalized messaging (e.g., report cards, videos) via technology like texting.
Organize 'marches on the polls' on the first day of early voting in every state, originating from HBCUs, churches, and community centers, to create visible mobilization and encourage same-day registration where applicable.
Implement the 'AXE Way of Mobilizing' by focusing on concentric circles: ensure every eligible person in the church votes, then mobilize within a two-mile radius, then five miles, and finally ten miles around the church building.
Notable Moments
Roland Martin recounts his personal experience at CNN in 2012, where he believes executives deliberately took him off air to prevent him from becoming a 'star' during the election cycle, drawing parallels to Daniel Dale's current situation.
This personal anecdote lends significant credibility and insight into the alleged internal workings of mainstream media, reinforcing the claim that corporate decisions can override journalistic merit for political or strategic reasons.
Josh Duven, the attorney for FAMU students, expresses the profound personal significance of the FAMU lawsuit, stating it is 'one of the most, if not the most important case I've ever worked on,' and highlights FAMU's history as a former slave plantation site.
This conveys the deep historical and emotional weight of the fight for HBCU funding, framing it not just as a legal battle but as a continuation of the struggle for civil rights and reparations for past injustices.
The Rad Black Kids, a Black-owned action sports and outdoor clothing brand, announces its upcoming debut at REI, showcasing a successful example of Black entrepreneurship and representation in niche markets.
This highlights the importance of supporting Black-owned businesses and demonstrates how cultural identity can be integrated into diverse industries, challenging traditional market demographics.
Quotes
"If those HBCUs had got the same billions of dollars that the University of Maryland got, that the University of Tennessee got at these white land grant institutions, then they wouldn't have to be sitting here nickel and dimming and having these decrepit buildings and institutions."
"There's no earthly reason why FAMU was not getting the matching funds that they were entitled to from the state of Florida that the federal government was providing. This is one of... the most, if not the most important case I've ever worked on."
"We can't continue to just resist and and and fight against what we don't want. We have to begin to build and conceptualize collectively of what we do want."
"We need to be focusing on multified marches and movement micro level in local communities in the states and that's what we're going to be training these brothers on on Saturday."
"Trump is a particular pawn in this moment, but he's not the system, right? He's not the system. He's the symptom of the system. He's like snot when you have a cold. He ain't the problem. He's the symptom of it."
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