Speechifying collects the most important speeches of Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole-noted Black feminist anthropologist, the first Black female president of Spelman College, former director of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African Art, and former chair and president of the National Council of Negro Women. A powerful and eloquent orator, Dr. Cole demonstrates her commitment to the success of historically Black colleges and universities, her ideas about the central importance of diversity and inclusion in higher education, the impact of growing up in the segregated South on her life and activism, and her belief in public service. Drawing on a range of Black thinkers, writers, and artists as well as biblical scripture and spirituals, her speeches give voice to the most urgent and polarizing issues of our time while inspiring transformational leadership and change. Speechifying also includes interviews with Dr. Cole that highlight her perspective as a Black feminist, her dedication to public speaking and “speechifying” in the tradition of the Black church, and the impact that her leadership and mentorship have had on generations of Black feminist scholars.
Editors' Preface xi
Acknowledgments xv
Timeline of Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole’s Life and Career xvii
Prologue / Johnnetta Betsch Cole 1
Interview 1. The Practical Ethics of Johnnetta Betsch Cole: The Life of a Black Feminist Anthropologist / Erica Lorraine Williams 7
Interview 2. Johnnetta Betsch Cole and the Art of Speechifying / Celeste Watkins-Hayes 25
The Speeches
1. Origin Stories 43
My Story and Yours: Empowering Meaningful Change Together 45
Defining Moments: Lessons Learned from Anthropology 51
Three Stations along My Journey as a Citizen Volunteer 56
The Continuing Significance of President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address 60
2. The Importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities 67
Another Day Will Find Us Brave 69
Straight Talk on HBCUs: Implications for Economic Transformation 74
It Is Going to Take Faith and Action: A Call to Support HBCUs 79
A Conversation with Johnnetta Betsch Cole / Paula Giddings 84
3. Higher Education 95
Look for You Yesterday, Here You Come Today 97
If You Educate a Woman 102
Difference Does Make a Difference: The Struggle for Diversity and Inclusion in American Higher Education 106
The Future of African American Education 114
4. Feminism and Women’s Empowerment 119
The Role of Christian Black Women in Today’s World (Spelman College) 121
Taking Stock: The Condition of Black Women in Our Nation 126
Women’s Rights and Human Rights in Africa 130
Doing the Lord’s Work: Black Women and Civic Engagement in South Carolina 136
Knowledge Is the Prime Need of the Hour 140
5. Race and Racism 145
Under the Sun 148
The Black Community in the New Millennium: Assessing Our Progress and Crafting Our Future 156
Service of Remembrance and Celebration for Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela 162
A Tribute to the Life and Work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 165
The 400th Anniversary of the Arrival of the First Enslaved Africans: A Remembrance 174
6. Art and Museum Life 177
Do Your Dreams Scare You? 180
The Treatment of Gender in Opening Exhibitions 186
Diversity in American Art Museums 190
Great Art at Historically Black Colleges and Universities: To Whom Does It Belong? 199
7. The Fierce Urgency of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 207
The Compelling Case for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 209
Exploring Our Differences 213
Lessons from the Life and Work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 219
Moving beyond Barriers: Transforming International Education through Inclusive Excellence 226
8. Commencement Addresses 237
A House Divided (Emory University) 239
Attributes of Twenty-First-Century Women Leaders (Trinity Washington University) 245
Courage, It’s What Really Matters (Bennington College) 251
Afterword: The Transcendent Voice of Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole / Celeste Watkins-Hayes and Erica Lorraine Williams 259
Appendix: Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole’s Service and Honors 267
Bibliography 269
Index 277
Johnnetta Betsch Cole, author and editor of numerous books, is President Emerita of Spelman and Bennett Colleges, Director Emerita of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African Art, and former Chair and President of the National Council of Negro Women. She lives in Florida.
Celeste Watkins-Hayes is the Interim Dean of the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, Jean E. Fairfax Collegiate Professor of Public Policy, and Professor of Sociology at the University of Michigan.
Erica Lorraine Williams is Associate Professor of Anthropology at Spelman College.
