In the eye of storm there is calm: We will recover and succeed

Kalin Norman

Managing Editor

I can’t help but think about Teyana Taylor’s “A Rose In Harlem” when it comes to the downfall of our University President and art professor. The song tells the story of how sometimes the people you are close to end up letting you down.

As a Tiger family, we all thought we were moving on to better things at Jackson State as far as academics and administration were concerned. Face it; former President Carolyn Meyers left us with a financial mess. However, we are well on our way to recovering and succeeding!

But here we are again in a state of uncertainty and embarrassment. Once again we have to awkwardly explain to our family, friends, and coworkers how our leaders let us down in a major way. But we will recover and succeed. That’s what Tigers do!

Although many of us have been left with a feeling of disappointment, disbelief, and disgrace from the downfall of our president and professor, we also recognize that humans are not perfect and mistakes will happen. We will recover and succeed.

Giving credit where credit is due, Bynum’s student-centered approach to leadership was loved by many students at JSU.  His visibility on campus and participation in events with students was welcomed and appreciated. It is unfortunate that his personal decisions also affect the business of running a university.

I am not saying that Bynum and McCarthy had to be perfect, because no one is. However, as public figures and university officials charged with being an example to students, I can’t help but wonder, “What were they thinking?”

It is my hope that they both recover from this downfall with a better understanding of how their actions can affect so many, in this case, thousands of students, alumni, university supporters and more.

As a student, I am disappointed. As a Christian, I feel betrayed, lied too, and sold false goods. As a member of the HBCU community, I am angered by the social media jokes and memes that are circulating about the self-professed “God loving and God fearing” president. But I am also assured that at the end of it all, JSU will recover and will succeed! #TigerStrong

So often controversy causes people to get closer. Even as type, the Tigers are banding together in one large pride as we proclaim, we will recover and we will succeed.

I will leave you the words of the JSU Alma mater:

Jackson Fair, Jackson Dear

Thee I Love, My dear ole college home

Thee I Love, Wherever I may roam

Jackson, Fair, Jackson Dear

Hail, Hail to Thee

If you doubt that we will not only recover from this and succeed, in the words of the famous JSU fight song, “Get Ready”!