RIP, Dr. Roussell, A Man Who Changed My Life! I met Dr. Roussell as a 9th grader at Gregory Jr HS, I told him I would attend an all male, white, private, catholic HS, Brother Martin, for 10th grade. I wasnt white nor Catholic but was being recruited for Basketball. He said, If you need me, I am here for you! Although I made all As and one B at BM and played on 9th grade, JV and Varsity BBall teams, it was a year where I fought with teachers/leaders/authority everyday ... I have never been and never will be a conformist ... especially conforming to behavior and ideology counter to my self-interest and core beliefs. I called Dr. Roussell, explained my situation and reminded him of what he told me. One day I rode to his office in Gentilly on a 20 inch bike, wearing jelly-beans, shorts and panama jack tank-top! He called McDonogh #35 and ordered that the school admit me as a Junior, even though the school only accepted 9th and 10th graders. People inside the school and students protested but he stood his ground, and I entered McD#35 College Prep in my Junior year and the rest is history. The academics at this all Black, Public, College Prep HS were more challenging than the Private, White Male, Catholic school I left. I am a different and better person for the transition, and I give the credit to a man who cared and kept his word to a lil Black boy! Dr. Roussell, I AM because YOU ARE! Thank you for fighting and believing in lil kids who look like me! #LetsGoPeople, Honor Those Who Paved The Way for YOU/US! May your family find peace and comfort in your Lifes legacy of education and activism! People see the Glory but they dont know the Story! nytimes/2014/10/16/us/norward-roussell-sought-student-parity-dies-at-80.html?hpw&rref=obituaries&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&version=HpHedThumbWell&module=well-region®ion=bottom-well&WT.nav=bottom-well&_r=1
Posted on: Fri, 17 Oct 2014 04:50:33 +0000
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