The Black Student Association and the Student Activities Council presented Judge Greg Mathis to students and faculty in the University Center Ballroom yesterday at 12:30 p.m.
Mathis is now starring in The Judge Mathis Show, and served in Detroit for five years previously.
He spoke on political and economic empowerment in the black community to a large, predominantly black crowd.
“We have always been leaders of world society,” Mathis said. “Those of you who suggest that our history began as slaves are wrong. We began as God’s first creation in the Garden of Eden.”
Mathis said individuals in this country came over in different ways — some in the bottom of slave ships and others on the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria, however, “we are all in the same boat now and when the lights go out we all look the same and when the bombs come we all hurt the same.”
Mathis said in the Old Testament of the Bible, Africa is mentioned numerous times, whereas England, Germany and North America are not found.
“I’m not preaching black supremacy, because I am speaking fact,” Mathis said. “If you’re going to celebrate black history, celebrate the real history.”
“We’ve come a long way and we have much to celebrate.”
Mathis praised the Civil Rights Movement and those of all colors who participated and said the biggest victory was won when all kinds united.
“Thank God for the Civil Rights Movement, which by the way, was an integrated movement,” Mathis said.
Mathis said by working together, larger accomplishments could be made. He told the story of Jackie Robinson breaking down the color barrier in baseball, adding that he had the help of his Caucasian coach who was willing to hire him and let him play.
“Let’s not get too twisted on this black thing that we forget it takes unity and togetherness,” Mathis said.
Mathis also spoke on the progress that has been made politically. In the past less than 1,000 blacks represented over 30 million in this countrypoitically, Mathis said.
Mathis said now we have over 10,000 blacks representing over 33 million blacks, and that it is progress.
“We shouldn’t have to stop with political empowerment,” Mathis said. “The issue isn’t ‘Can we go to a hotel or restaurant?’ It’s whether we can pay for it. That’s economic empowerment.”
He also said most middle class blacks work for the government or school system. Few blacks are seen in corporate America.
Mathis said white women make a third less than their male counterparts, and blacks make ten times less than whites.
“It’s cute to have black faces in high places, but I want to know about the masses of our people,” Mathis said.
Mathis also discussed his views on affirmative action, saying he believes that it should continue.
“We can end it when the gaps are closed and the gaps are not closed yet,” Mathis said.
Mathis said even though President Bush does not agree, race must still be considered because it was considered when they enslaved and discriminated against blacks in the past, and this is still holding blacks back.
Urging students to get involved, Mathis talked about finding information about April 1, when civil rights activists and students will be marching to the Supreme Court in support of keeping affirmative action in place.
Mathis said the biggest challenge still lies ahead.
“The biggest challenge of all is our challenge to fight back against the self-destructive and self-defeating views of our young people,” Mathis said. “No right-wing conservative is putting a crack pipe up to your mouth or breaking into your house.”
He said sixty percent of those in prison are black males, who make up only 5 percent of the population.
Mathis also told the audience of the disproportionate amounts of money that are spent on education versus the prison system. In 1980, $27 billion was spent on education and $8 billion was spent on the prison system. However, in 1995, $16 billion was spent on education and $20 billion was spent on the prison system. Mathis said this has a lot to do with the prison population tripling.
Mathis closed, challenging students to “Don’t let them hold you back; don’t let them stop you. If they close the door of oppression in your face, knock it down.”
Audience member Keeshia Kenen, a 23-year-old graduate student, said, “I’m a big fan of Judge Mathis’ show and I thought he would be an interesting person to hear speak. I learned more about political issues affecting African-Americans that I didn’t know. I was inspired and empowered.”
