mizzou and the choir

Honestly, I came for the free lunch.
I had no idea what #MIZZOU meant and the invitation from President Bleicken's office did not explain the cryptic hashtag.
Google was not much help, either, sending me to the website of the Missouri Tigers.
Was Armstrong getting a football team? Highly doubtful. Those are very expensive sports teams, requiring lots of players, lots of equipment, and a football stadium.
Was Armstrong teaming up with University of Missouri for some educational benefit? Possible. There are sister cities, why not sister universities?
So, curiosity also drove me to this meeting.

A panel of five, in comfortable chairs, awaited in the Ogeechee Theatre in the Student Union. One was a student, one the new provost, one the diversity & equality aide, and two professors. Another professor moderated the event, making sure none of the panelists tried to monopolize the microphone.

The first two questions were fairly explosive softballs. No worries, the panelists had been given the questions earlier so they could each have a two- or three-minute reply.
The first question dealt with the student demands for fair treatment from an unresponsive University of Missouri administration.
The second question concerned the "Black lives matter" movement.

Wow.
Not softballs after all, but hard balls pitched directly into the gut.

Good.

Conversations like this should occur on university campuses.
Open minds don't occur without a little use of a prybar.

I was glad to be one of the many faculty and staff that stood to be recognized at the end of the discussion.
Hopefully, in January, when a second discussion is held, a larger venue will be needed.

The choir always needs more members.