Pi Psi sponsors black panel

Pi Psi Fraternity, Inc. brought together a panel of influential black males last night to discuss their personal life experiences and accomplishments.

LSA junior Jeffrey McKinnon, a member of Pi Psi, said the event, titled "Upward Mobility: Stabilization of the Race," was an attempt to educate students about the difficulties involved with becoming successful in society.

"Specifically the panel is focused of the upliftment of black males, where members of society can come and tell us about their experiences and help us in our future," McKinnon said.

LSA senior Felecia Brooks said she came to the panel to discuss the student-related issue and to support her friends in Pi Psi, a black fraternity founded at the University in 1996.

"The topic is universal and people of all colors, white or black, should be here tonight to hear what the speakers have to say," Brooks said.

About 75 people attended the meeting, during which each person on the four-member panel gave a 10-minute speech, followed by a question-and-answer period.

Isaiah McKinnon, the former chief of police for the City of Detroit, spoke about his early life experiences, including a brutal beating he sustained at the age of 14 from four police officers. He attributed his career choice to this event.

"I was going to become a police officer, so that I would never let that occur... around me," he said.

History assistant Prof. Matthew Countryman discussed the resentment blacks with high levels of education face from members of their own and other races.

"We stand in a time of incredible contradiction," Countryman said. "There is suspicion on all sides, and those are the challenges we must deal with every day."

David Mitchell, a Detroit sports writer, had a somewhat contradicting viewpoint.

"This is a good time to be an African American male," Mitchell said. "You all have an incredible ability to overcome adversity. You should all walk with great pride."

Larry Lee, vice president for football operations for the Detroit Lions, tackled the topic of religion. Lee began his speech by emphasizing God's pervasive influence on people's lives and the importance of having an optimistic attitude.

Lee also mentioned the extra responsibility he has as a black man in an administrative position for a professional sports team.

"I am one of eight African American vice presidents in the NFL, and I am only one of three with major responsibilities," Lee said. "I think that I can't fail."

Although many of the students at the event responded positively to the themes conveyed by the speakers, others said they felt the speakers' personal experiences could not be generalized to the population.

"I disagree with the idea that it is a good time to be a black man," one audience member said.

10-01-98