Spring Break
Michael Eric Dyson, scholar to visit FCC
Edward Ortiz
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: News
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Dyson is a prominent scholar, preacher and best-selling author.
His public speech focuses on race, religion, pop culture and other contemporary issues in the African-American community.
Dyson is no stranger to controversy, whether it's putting spotlight on the class conflict in the African American community or exposing the failures of the government is response to Hurricane Katrina.
Dyspon recently criticized Bill Cosby over comments the iconic comedian made in a 2004 speech.
Cosby had stated that -*urban poor blacks add to the social and economic tribulations that affect them.
Cosby went on to state African American men in the poorest of communities aren't taking responsibility for the care of their families and community.
He condemned Cosby's comments by calling it abuse of the "Afristocracy" or well-to-do in the black community upon the poor blacks.
In 2005, Dyson published "Is Bill Cosby Right?: Or Has the Black Middle Class Lost Its Minds?" A more lengthy examination of the "Afristocracy" versus the "Ghettocracy" (the urban poor blacks)
Dyson has taught at DePaul University, Chicago Theological Seminary, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Columbia University and Brown University, before going to the University of Pennsylvania in 2003; there he was the Avalon Professor of Humanities.
On July 3, 2007 Georgetown University announced the appointment of Dyson as University Professor. He teaches theology, English, and African American studies.
According to an article on explore.georgetown.edu, Georgetown University Provost James J.O'Donnell was quoted as saying, "Professor Dyson is an intellectual leader in society and academia."
"At Georgetown we look forward to his continued societal impact and anticipate the contributions he will make to enhance our vibrant academic community," the quote continued.
Dyson is an accomplished, award-winning author as well. He has published over 16 books. His latest book is called "April 4, 1968: Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Death and How It Changed America."
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