Southern University’s campus was in chaos. National Guard soldiers, there to thwart student protests on the HBCU campus, arrived in a cloud of tear gas, ready to fight students. Still, the students continued to protest. Why was this happening?
The students were tired of being mistreated by BLACK university administrators! Unlike other campuses that encouraged students to exercise their rights, Southern University often expelled students for civil rights work!
Yet the determined students would not be deterred. After a show of support for students who’d been suspended for participating in a sit-in at some local businesses, the students showed up at the administration building. This move would prove to be fatal to the young activists.
Black sell-out administrators, seeking to impress white politicians, had the governor call the National Guard to occupy the campus and keep the students in control. They complained of unruly students and even lied about students having bombs! The National Guard opened fire, killing two students – Leonard Brown and Denver Smith.
Though federal investigations took place regarding the murders of the students, the shooters were never found. Black administrators also took the side of law enforcement, blaming students for their own demise! Today that sell-out legacy lingers. Pay attention: all skinfolk ain’t kinfolk.