TO:
DCCCD Board Members
FROM:
Dr. Wright L. Lassiter, Jr.
DATE:
February 17, 2012
RE:
Weekend Memo #271
PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR
In this commentary, I am providing a brief sketch of the life of a seminal American poet
of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Dunbar gained national recognition for his 1896
“Lyrics of a Lowly Life,” one poem in the collection Ode to Ethiopia. My commentary will
also feature his poem “Sympathy” published in Lyrics of the Hearthside. I will close with
comments on metaphor in poetry.
Dunbar was born in Dayton, Ohio to parents who had escaped slavery. His father was a
veteran of the American Civil War, having served in the 55th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment
and the 5th Massachusetts Colored Cavalry Regiment. His parents instilled in him a love of
learning and history. He was a student at an all-white high school, Dayton Central High
School, and he participated actively as a student. He was both the editor of the school
newspaper and class president, as well as the president of the school literary society. He also
started the first African-American newsletter in Dayton.
Dunbar wrote his first poem at age 6 and gave his first public recital at age 9. His first
published work came in a newspaper put out by his high school friends Wilbur and Orville
Wright, who owned a printing plant. The Wright Brothers later invested in the Dayton Tattler,
a newspaper aimed at the black community, edited and published by Dunbar.
His first collection of poetry, Oak and Ivy, was published in 1892 and attracted the
attention of James Whitcomb Riley, the popular “Hoosier Poet.” Both Riley and Dunbar wrote
poems in standard English and dialect. Dunbar’s second book, Majors and Minors (1895),
brought him national fame and the patronage of William Dean Howells, the novelist and critic
and editor of Harper’s Weekly. After Howells’ praise, his first two books were combined as
Lyrics of Lowly Life and Dunbar started on a career of international literary fame. He moved
from Dayton to Washington, DC, where he attended Howard University.
He kept a lifelong friendship with the Wrights, and was also associated with Frederick
Douglass and Booker T. Washington. He was honored with a ceremonial sword by President
Theodore Roosevelt.
Dunbar wrote a dozen books of poetry, four books of short stories, five novels, and a
play. He also wrote lyrics for In Dahomey — the first musical written and performed entirely
by African Americans to appear on Broadway (1903). The musical comedy successfully toured
England and America over a period of four years — one of the more successful theatrical
productions of its time. His essays and poems were published widely in the leading journals of
the day. His work appeared in Harper’s Weekly, The Saturday Evening Post, The Denver Post,
Current Literature, and a number of other publications.
His work is known for its colorful language and use of dialect, and a conversational tone
with a brilliant rhetorical structure.
Sympathy
I know what the caged bird feels, alas!
When the sun is bright on the upland slopes;
When the wind stirs soft through the springing grass,
And the river flows like a stream of glass;
When the first bird sings and the first bud opens,
And the faint perfume from its chalice steals —
I know what the caged bird feels!
I know why the caged bird beats his wing
Till its blood is red on the cruel bars;
For he must fly back to his perch and cling
When he fain would be on the bough a-swing;
And a pain still throbs in the old, old scars
And they pulse again with a keener sting —
I know why he beats his wing!
I know why the caged bird sings, ah me,
When his wring is bruised and his bosom sore, —
When he beats his bars and he would be free;
It is not a carol of joy or glee,
But a prayer that he sends from his heart’s deep core,
But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings —
I know why the caged bird sings!
This poem was published in Lyrics of the Hearthside by Dodd, Mead and Company in
1899. It was this poem that inspired the title to Maya Angelou’s autobiography I Know Why the
Caged Bird Sings.
“Sympathy” is an example of the use of metaphor in teaching advanced writing classes.
In the case of Maya Angelou, she uses a caged bird and its song of freedom as a metaphor for
her people. The metaphor of a caged bird can be applied to any oppressed group or
individuals. In his poem, Dunbar takes up the caged bird metaphor and uses a first person
perspective to explain how the caged bird feels and why the caged bird sings.
It is my hope that this commentary will be informative to those not familiar with the
work of Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906).
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Mountain View College
Two Mountain View College students have been nominated for this year’s Coca-Cola/All-USA
Community College Academic Team: Laura Cruz and Gerek Bivins. Cruz (campus student
ambassador) and Bivins are both geology majors and officers of the Mountain View College chapter
of Phi Theta Kappa. Competition for the Coca-Cola/All-USA Community College Academic Team
scholarships is keen. In addition to a grade point average of at least 3.5, applicants must have
exhibited great leadership skills, dedication to scholarship and engagement in community service.
Recipients of these awards receive national recognition and scholarship money toward their
bachelor’s degree. The nominees will attend a banquet in Austin on March 28th. Special thanks
to Julie Sepulveda, Amanda Humphreys, Gloria Palomeque and Joseph Brockway (Phi Theta Kappa
Advisor, Omega Omega Chapter).
The Cliff Gallery at Mountain View College is currently presenting a very special exhibit titled
“FACE by Louisa Bertman,” which will be displayed through March 9th. Bertman, a successful
illustrator, will host a conversation about her work and working methods as an in-demand
professional illustrator on February 24th at 10:10 a.m. in Room S1029/1030. There will be a
reception for the artist on February 24th at 2:00 p.m. in the Cliff Gallery. For more information,
please contact David Kirkland at [email protected] or 214.208.1601.
The Mountain View College Black Student Organization (BSO) will be presenting the 2012 BSO
Idol Competition on February 17th at 7:00 p.m. in the Performance Hall. Come see and support the
many talented and gifted performers participating in the competition. Celebrity judges include:
KKDA radio personality Roger B. Brown, VH1’s Football Wives star Dawn Neufeld, and 2011 Texas
United Beauty Queen Brandi McGruder-Cofer. This event is free and open to the public. For
additional information, call 214.860.8685.
The Mountain View College TRiO Department is hosting a TRiO Family Day on February 25th
from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Courtyard. There will be plenty of food, games, karaoke, arts,
crafts and dancing for the entire family. The event is free and open to the community. For event
details, call 214.860.8883.
Eastfield College
Advancing Student Success — Students and staff came out to “Jam the Gym” for the Eastfield College
basketball team’s game against Brookhaven College on February 8th. The event was sponsored by
The Et Cetera (Eastfield College student newspaper), the Office of Student Life and the Campus
Activities Board. The Et Cetera staffers provided free minibasketballs, cups and newspapers, and the
Communications Club passed out free popcorn, drinks and megaphones. During halftime, door
prizes were given away by the Office of Student Life and The Et Cetera staffs.
On February 6th, Eastfield College hosted the African American Film Festival, as part of the
African American History Month (AAHM) events, showcasing the work of Oscar Micheaux. As the
most successful and prolific of Black filmmakers, Micheaux was vital to African-American, and
overall American, consciousness. Against all odds, he provided a diverse portfolio of nonstereotyped Black characters, as well as images and stories of African-American life. On February
7th, another AAHM event — Hip Hop Language & Culture: The Truth Behind the Message —
was offered to students and staff. Hip Hop language was reviewed and discussed as the truth
behind the words that sheds new light on tradition and popular culture. More than 85 students,
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faculty and staff members were in attendance sharing dialogue and promoting an atmosphere of
cultural awareness.
Ensuring Institutional Effectiveness — On February 8-9th, the Eastfield College Criminal Justice
Program hosted two one-day training sessions of the Standard Field Sobriety Testing refresher class
for law enforcement officers. There were 35 officers in attendance representing the following
departments: Garland, Dallas, Greenville, Ovilla, Milford, Ferris, Venus, Denton, Plano and Balch
Springs Police Departments; Dallas County Sheriff’s Office; Kaufman County Constable’s Office;
DART Police Department; and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
The current exhibit at Gallery 219 at Eastfield College, “Looking at Animals,” opened February 13th
and runs through March 9th. A special artists talk and reception will be held on February 17th from
6:00 - 8:30 p.m. “Looking at Animals” examines the complex relationship between animal and man
through the work of six artists: Buster Graybill, Allison Hunter, Jules Buck Jones, Trish Igo, Jill
O’Brien and Raychael Stine.
Richland College
Sustainable Community Building — “Healthy Environment” — The Richland College Health Center, in
cooperation with Carter BloodCare, hosted a campus blood drive this week. Participating students,
staff and community members received a free miniphysical during their donation. Each day,
approximately 800 patients in the North Central and East Texas areas require timely blood
transfusions to survive, and necessary blood supplies come from organized blood drives.
Student Success — Recently, Richland College theater students were guests at the Dallas preview of
Flower and Bone’s production of O’Keeffe — a play that examines the story of Georgia O’Keeffe,
one of America’s most beloved artists. Immediately following the performance, staged in Richland
College’s Arena Theater, the director and solo actor conducted a question/answer session with
theater students.
Employee Success — In an effort to provide new ways to build community among new and veteran
Richlanders, the Richland College Council for Community Building (CCB) introduced “Tea &
Quackers,” — a meet-and-greet social event — on February 14th. “Tea & Quackers” gives
Richlanders the opportunity to be in community together and meet/greet the person or department
members profiled in the college employee newsletter, ThunderBridge. These events will be held
quarterly, featuring the employees/department members profiled during that quarter. The highly
successful inaugural event featured Charmayne Hightower, facilities support services coordinator,
and the Richland College Facilities Services Division.
Institutional Effectiveness — During Richland College’s most recent President’s Cabinet meeting,
leaders representing the vice presidents for business services, vice president for teaching and
learning, and vice president for student development presented highlights of the key performance
indicators and related measures from the Richland College 2010-2011 End of Year Report.
Presenters provided an analysis of performance-to-target for each highlighted measure and
presented a brief overview of related continuous improvement strategies enacted.
El Centro College
In January, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School began its 20th Annual Health
Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program (HPREP). HPREP is an outreach program
designed to expose Dallas public high school students to careers in medicine, health professions and
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science, and is held over several Saturdays in January and February. Key concepts presented in
HPREP are the academic challenges and personal commitment necessary to achieve student career
goals, in particular the need to pursue a college career. Approximately 200 high school students
participated. The last Saturday of the program (February 4th) was designated as College Day, where
students and their parents attended. Tony Pecina, El Centro College director of School Alliances
and Institutional Outreach, spoke on Admissions, DCCCD — which included instructional
programs in health careers, the Paramount facility, admissions requirements and processes, the dual
credit program, and financial aid. Following the program, Pecina and Eliazar Martinez, El Centro
College Information Technology Programs professor, answered questions from students and
parents. Discussions were conducted in Spanish for Spanish-only-speaking participants. They also
received information regarding the ECC Cafe Con Leche program through which college
representatives meet with parents and provide information about the requirements for enrolling in
college.
Cindy Hernandez, El Centro College Library Department assistant, was part of the 18-member
Dallas team that participated in the recent Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
competition in Harris County. The Dallas team earned the state competition’s top score of 946 out
of 1,000 points! All of the events in this competition utilize the skills learned in the basic CERT (G317) class, such as basic medical operations, search and rescue, fire suppression, cribbing and scene
size-up. Congratulations to Cindy Hernandez and her team!
On February 10th, Julia Harryman and LaCheeta McPherson served as judges in the regional Health
Occupations Students of America (HOSA) contest at Sachse High School in Garland. Harryman
and McPherson were requested to participate because of the health careers dual credit relationship
between El Centro College and the Garland Independent School District. Harryman judged
Parliamentary Procedures and McPherson judged Biotechnology Skills. HOSA is a national student
organization for high school students that promotes leadership and skills.
El Centro College History Coordinator Wanda Jones was contacted by National Park Service Park
Manager Raphael Allen, requesting permission to use a section of her master’s thesis, “Several
Madnesses Are Born,” as part of the suggested reading list at the National Park Service website —
Rosie the Riveter/WW II Home Front National Historical Park (in Richmond, CA). Her thesis
covered the arcs of working class and professional women’s union efforts and investments before,
during and after World War II. She received her Master of Arts in History from The University of
Texas at Arlington.
Brookhaven College
On February 2nd, Brookhaven College paid tribute to the poets of the Harlem renaissance at the
annual African American Read-In. For more than a dozen years, college employees and students
have worked together to create performances that celebrate the art, music and literature of African
Americans. This year, 18 employees and 8 students recited poetic passages in a well-rehearsed
performance that played to a crowd of approximately 200. Based on the theme “Drop Me Off in
Harlem,” the Read-In featured dozens of poems, including “The Weary Blues,” “Creation,” “My
House,” “Dreams,” and “What is Africa to Me?”
The smell of popcorn filled the air on February 8th as the Brookhaven College Office of Student
Life held its spring Service Agency Fair. The fair is becoming an increasingly popular activity. With
approximately 230 students and employees looking for ways to give back to the community, they
had an opportunity to interact with 20 community partners. Andrew Deibert, Brookhaven College
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coordinator for Service-Learning and Civic Engagement, stated that the purpose of the fair is to
provide an opportunity for agencies to recruit volunteers, as well as give students, faculty and staff a
chance to interact face-to-face with community partners and become more civically engaged. For
the fall semester, 269 Brookhaven College students contributed over 3,200 hours to service-learning
efforts.
In only 2 hours, 15 employees (mostly volunteers) distributed more than 700 coupons to students
for a free cookie at the Brookhaven College Career Development Center Open House on February
8th. More than 250 students used the coupons to grab a cookie and find out more about the
services offered. According to Annette Wilson, director of the Center, almost 70 students requested
appointments to review resumés and discuss career options on an individual basis.
North Lake College
Our Students — North Lake College’s Delta Gamma chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha hosted a
fashion show to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (Memphis, TN) on February 17th.
Proceeds from the “J’suis Chic” event will benefit the hospital dedicated to research and treatment
of pediatric catastrophic disease. Local businesses, such as Potbelly Sandwich Shop, La Madeleine,
Jason’s Deli, Joe’s Coffee Shop, Freebirds World Burrito, Corner Bakery, Pie Five Pizza Co., Body
Essentials Medical Spa, and Five Guys Burgers and Fries, donated prizes that were raffled off at the
event.
North Lake College’s TRiO and Counseling Services co-sponsored a workshop on February 7-8th.
Counselor Dalia Blell provided students with information about services provided by the Counseling
Services Department, which promotes the emotional, physical and psychological well-being of
students.
Our Community — As part of North Lake College’s Irving Y.E.S. Sustainability Lecture Series, Lori
De La Cruz recently gave a presentation titled “Integrating Sustainability Throughout Higher
Education: Encouraging Critical Thinking in Students.” The event was sponsored by the college
Liberal Arts Division.
Our Staff — Congratulations to the North Lake College Degree Audit team. The team posted 501
graduates for the fall 2011 semester. This record number reinforces the North Lake College staff’s
commitment to student success.
District Service Center
Dr. Jean Conway, president of Eastfield College; Christa Slejko, interim president of North Lake
College; and Sharon Cook, director of College Communication and Community Outreach at
Eastfield College, judged the District Service Center Professional Support Staff Association Chili
Cook-Off fundraiser. The team winner for selling the most chili, displaying the best table design
and decorations, or for a chili name that best represented the department was Facilities’ “To Hel-en
Back Chili.” The best tasting chili winner was Network Support’s “Access Denied Chili.” After the
appropriate cool-down period, a unanimous decision was made to make the chili cook-off an annual
event!
Clyde Porter, associate vice chancellor of Facilities Management, and Juan Broussard, facilities
design specialist, recently attended the 2011 American Institute of Architects Dallas Design Awards’
“Celebrate Architecture” reception honoring local members of the profession and community for
their achievements. An Honor Award went to Perkins+Will for the Richland College Sabine Hall
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science building, a state-of-the-art facility funded by DCCCD’s $450 million general obligation bond
program. Notice of the awards may be viewed at
http://www.aiadallas.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=38.
District Office
DCCCD came through again for the State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC)! The District
received two awards at the SECC 2011 Campaign Coordinator Thank You Luncheon. Because
employees gave generously to SECC, the DCCCD was recognized for the “Highest Per Capita Gift
Amongst Higher Education Institutions” and “Highest Participation Amongst Higher Education
Institutions” in the DFW Metroplex. DCCCD employees proved again that they are truly invested
in the communities they serve.
Betheny L. Reid, District Development associate vice chancellor and DCCCD Foundation
president, acknowledges the following individuals on the DCCCD Foundation Board of Directors
for their recent accomplishments: Valerie Freeman, immediate past chair, received the Northwood
University Outstanding Business Leader Award on January 21st. She was one of two distinguished
individuals honored at the university’s 32nd Annual Outstanding Business Leader Awards Gala in
Palm Beach, FL. Northwood University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution that provides
managerial and entrepreneurial education at three campuses (Florida, Michigan, Texas). Freeman,
founder and owner of Dallas-based Imprimis Group, Inc., was recognized for creating a fastgrowing company that provides training and staffing for 1,500 professionals in firms throughout the
country.
Board member J.C. Montgomery, Jr. was recently appointed to serve as founding chairman and
CEO of the new Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children (TSRHC) Foundation. Currently serving
as chairman of the health professions committee for DCCCD’s Campaign for Excellence,
Montgomery has led TSRHC as its president for the past 23 years.
Foundation board members Norm Bagwell and Lynn McBee share the spotlight in the March/April
issue of D CEO Magazine. Bagwell is featured in the cover story titled “Norm Bagwell: The
Comeback Kid.” The article recounts Bagwell’s recovery from a kidney transplant and his return to
the banking business as CEO of Bank of Texas. McBee, who chaired the committee for the design
of the new Founders’ Foyer in the District Office administration building and who currently chairs
the arts initiative committee for DCCCD’s Campaign for Excellence, discusses her fundraising
prowess and involvement with various charitable causes in a “Breakfast With” article by Jason Heid.
The articles can be viewed at
http://www.dmagazine.com/Issues/D_CEO_MAR-APR_2012.aspx (See attached articles.)
Cedar Valley College
This week, the Commercial Music program at Cedar Valley College presented the smooth sounds of
the Commercial Music faculty. Next week’s recital will showcase the talented Classical Music
faculty. Performances take place each Wednesday from 1:00 to 1:50 p.m. in the Cedar Valley
College Performance Hall (Building E). All concerts are free of charge and open to the public.
In honor of Black History Month, the African American and Latino Male Initiative program will
host guest speaker Ya’Ke Smith, award-winning filmmaker and assistant professor at The University
of Texas at Arlington. His critically-acclaimed short film “Katrina’s Son” will be shown on February
23rd at 10:50 a.m. in Room C001, followed by a discussion with Smith. “Katrina’s Son” has won
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awards at 14 film festivals and was eligible for this year’s Academy Award in short filmmaking. For
more information, please contact Russell Haynes at 972.860.2962.
Cedar Valley College dual credit student Moriah Jefferson — the number two girls’ high school
basketball player in the class of 2012, according to ESPN “HoopGurlz” — will play in the 35th
Annual McDonald’s All American Games on March 28th in Chicago, IL. Jefferson, who resides in
Glenn Heights, has been a dual credit student at the college since fall 2010 and carries a 3.1 grade
point average. This fall, she is transferring to the University of Connecticut.
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