The Daily Reveille
Thursday, January 24, 2013 DYSON, from page 1
ANGELA MAJOR / The Daily Reveille
Michael Eric Dyson, Georgetown sociology professor, speaks at the LSU Union Theater on Wednesday.
appeared on nationally televised shows such as “The O’Reilly Factor” and “The Colbert Report” to discuss race relations, politics and black and hip-hop culture. Dyson’s eloquent dialogue turned a podium speech into one more similar to a church sermon. Dyson encouraged students to emulate King by committing to justice and non-violence throughout the year. He suggested helping the poor and vulnerable and volunteering at the soup kitchen as ways to do so. Activists should strive to challenge public policy, he said, and that is something Dyson has done his whole life. Dyson said he is motivated
by a desire to share his knowl- as a tool for change. He also said edge and help people wrestle King would have gotten nowhere with big issues, and said he hopes without the help of strong women to speak up for those who are supporting him. vulnerable. He said the younger Dyson teaches a class about generations are sociology and getting better at hip-hop cul‘ Young people handling the big ture, particularly are more open to issues, especially through the work race. multi-racial ideas, of rapper Jay-Z. “Young peoshowed wisdom and success.’ Dyson ple are more open himself to be to multi-racial a hip-hop conMichael Eric Dyson ideas, wisdom noisseur when and success,” Dy- Georgetown sociology professor and explaining the son said. “Obama African-American cultural commentator fortitude of Rosa is president beParks. cause the hip-hop culture was ac“Rosa Parks wasn’t a weak cepted by the young generation woman with tired feet. She was as was a tool to getting the black saying, ‘They ask me what I do culture into white homes.” and who I do it for,’” laughed During his speech about Dyson while referencing recent King, Dyson emphasized words rap phenomenon 2 Chainz. “All
page 15 I want for my birthday… is a big book of prose.” This along with many other pop culture references kept the audience laughing and singing along to songs by Marvin Gaye, Jay-Z and Tupac Shakur. Dyson closed by saying a president alone is not enough to make a change in the way people think and act. He said society needs both prophets and presidents, because prophets challenge the status quo while presidents work within its limits.
Contact Nic Cotten at ncotten@lsureveille.com