Schomburg Center Director Choice Controversial for Black Scholars
By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Nov 22nd 2010 2:50PM
Khalil Gibran Muhammad appears to be a great choice to head the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. A 38-year old assistant professor of African American History at Indiana University, Dr. Muhammad has already achieved a great deal in the world of black scholarship. His book, "The Condemnation of Blackness: Race, Crime, and the Making of Modern Urban America," has done quite well, and he is respected by quite a few black scholars across the nation.
Muhammad also has pedigree: He is the great grandson of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, legendary leader of the Nation of Islam. Therefore, his scholarly work with a predominantly white institution (Indiana University, which is no stranger to racial problems, I went to graduate school there) is supplemented by his connection and deep commitment to issues that affect real people in his community.
The decision to make Muhammad the director of the Schomburg Center has not been without controversy. Some consider him to be too young to run such an important institution within black America. His network within the Harlem community is not as strong as some would like, and quite a few established scholars and public figures are not impressed enough with Muhammad to trust him to do such an important job.
"I don't know this brother here at all," Councilman Charles Barron said to DNAInfo.com. "I have no comment on him because I have never heard of him."
The favorite for the position, at least according to some, was Molefi Asante, a 68-year old scholar at Temple University. Asante is well-respected throughout the world for decades of groundbreaking work in the field of Africana Studies.
"I cannot fathom someone who has more credentials, has written more books, is know by more African leaders and has had more of an impact on Afrocentric scholarship than Molefi Asante out of Temple," said Barron.
I reached out to other black scholars to get their take on the decision to make Muhammad the head of the Schomburg Center. The consensus seems to be that Muhammad is an outstanding choice, particularly if the objective of the center is to bring in young voices and minds to their long-term mission. However, Asante's wisdom, experience and respect would have been incredible assets. The challenge, however, is that 68 is 30 years older than 38, leading some to wonder if it makes sense to choose a director who may be in the twilight of his career.
"I think he's an excellent choice. He represents a new generation of intellectual and cultural leadership. He has the scholarly gravitas and social engagement necessary to extend the center's extraordinary legacy. At the same time, he brings a fresh perspective that will only further the center's mission of highlighting the history and humanity of African people," said Columbia University Professor Dr. Marc Lamont Hill, host of "Our World with Black Enterprise."
Dr. Wilmer Leon at Howard University had this to say: "The selection of Dr. Muhammad as the Director of the Schomburg is a solid choice. His focus on the Black experience and commitment to research will serve the institution and community well. His personal background as the grandson of one our nations significant leaders provided Dr. Muhammad with a unique perspective and obligation to legacy that should prove to be invaluable."
It therefore appears that Dr. Muhammad's selection is supported by quite a few leading figures, who provide an alternative to those who oppose him. At the same time, one has to wonder where politics played a role in the decision. Dr. Asante appears to be the favorite among respected figures in New York City, and anyone who has done work in Harlem knows that the community's voice is very strong on matters of significance. I've done three or four events in the Harlem area this year, and I can say that the people don't stand behind something if they think it's bogus. "Keep it real all the time," should be a theme for the people of Harlem, NY, one of the strongest black communities in the world.
Personally, I am taking a wait-and-see attitude on Dr. Muhammad. I look forward to meeting him one day, and I am openly skeptical of anyone who was selected by Henry Louis Gates (who was the head of the committee which made the decision). While Gates has the validation one receives from a Harvard University affiliation, I question his ability and desire to connect with black folks who don't spend their summers at Martha's Vineyard. All the while, the selection of Dr. Muhammad shows that the Schomburg Center is looking to the future, and like a football team who chooses a rookie quarterback over a veteran, they are taking a tremendous, yet potentially productive, risk. May the journey be a good one for a scholar who has already achieved so much. I fully expect that the best is yet to come.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action Resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.
Tagged as: african american scholars, black scholars, dr boyce watkins, dr marc lamont hill, dr wilmer leon, DrBoyceWatkins, khalil muhammad, KhalilMuhammad, schomburg center
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Wednesday, November 24th 2010 at 11:37AM
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