Black Lives Matter activist DeRay Mckesson is taking his powerful message to the Ivy League this fall.
Yale Divinity School announced this weekend that he will participate in their leadership program, serving as one of three lecturers as part of a $120,000 grant from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundation, according to a press release. The activist, who has made effectual change by being vocal on Twitter, is slated to talk about the “Transformational Leadership in the #BlackLivesMatter Movement” on Oct. 2-3. Via Yale Divinity:
The one-credit courses (for which Yale registration is required) revolve around two-day weekend interactions with the guest lecturers; students will do extensive preparatory readings and then write papers following the weekend events.
The other participants are: Democratic U.S. Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, and the Rev. Nancy Taylor, senior minister of Old South Church in Boston, Massachusetts.
“Our world is changing with great speed,” Yale Divinity School Dean Greg Sterling said in the statement. “Yale has a long tradition of training individuals to lead in churches, institutions of higher learning, and society. We envision this new program as a means to bring students into contact with proven leaders who will challenge them not only to think about leading in new and creative ways but inspire them to reach beyond their current aspirations.”
Unsurprisingly, conservatives and general haters condemned the university’s decision to host Mckesson, who rose to prominence last year after unarmed Michael Brown, 18, was shot to death by ex-Ferguson, Missouri police officer Darren Wilson following a confrontation. Via BET:
…Conservatives are rallying against the university’s decision to invite McKesson into halls of education, calling him a “race-baiter” and a “race hustler.” Fox and Friends host Tucker Carlson lambasted the school’s decision to hire “someone who’s popular on Twitter.” Carlson goes on to accuse McKesson of “dividing people by skin color, making totally unfounded, stupid claims,” and as someone “who doesn’t appear particularly erudite.”
Twitter was fairly active on all sides of the matter:
The fascinating thing about the supposed “scandal” of me speaking at Yale is that members of the movement have spoken there before.
— deray mckesson (@deray) September 14, 2015
There’s this story circulating that I’m going to be a faculty member at Yale. I’ll be at Yale for two days, guest lecturing.
— deray mckesson (@deray) September 14, 2015
I am disappointed with #Yale University for giving Deray McKesson a teaching gig. #DerayCourses
— DC Frank Carter (@DCFrankCarter) September 12, 2015
I wonder if @Deray McKesson will be espousing his love of known cop killer #AssataShakur at @Yale? pic.twitter.com/mdd1csZyOD
— Joe Prich (@JoePrich) September 11, 2015
What do you think about Mckesson’s lecture series?
SOURCE: Yale Divinity School, BET | PHOTO CREDIT: Getty
SEE ALSO:
Ferguson Commission Highlights Racial Inequalities, Calls For Police & Court Reforms
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DeRay Mckesson To Guest Lecture At Yale About #BlackLivesMatter was originally published on newsone.com