White boy becomes first white valedictorian of Morehouse.
- From his first day at Morehouse College — the country's only institution of higher learning dedicated to the education of black men — Joshua Packwood has been a standout.
His popularity got him elected dorm president as a freshman. His looks and physique made him a fashion-show favorite. His intellect made him a Rhodes Scholar finalist. His work ethic landed him a job at the prestigious investment banking firm Goldman Sachs in New York City.
But it's his skin that has made all of this an anomaly. This month, Packwood is set to take the stage and address his classmates as the first white valedictorian in Morehouse's 141-year history.
Obama supporters discover "America."
- For all the hope and excitement Obama's candidacy is generating, some of his field workers, phone-bank volunteers and campaign surrogates are encountering a raw racism and hostility that have gone largely unnoticed -- and unreported -- this election season. Doors have been slammed in their faces. They've been called racially derogatory names (including the white volunteers). And they've endured malicious rants and ugly stereotyping from people who can't fathom that the senator from Illinois could become the first African American president.
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As a Morehouse grad I dont see this as a big deal. There were white kids there when I was in school. One was named senior class president for the year after I graduated.
ReplyDeleteThis is only a story because he is valedictorian. There have Rhodes Scholar finalists from Morehouse as well.
White guys were accepted at Morehouse because they didnt try to hard and just were themselves. That's all it takes.
Why does he look so much like Oscar da la Hoya?
ReplyDeleteYou see I was right all along. If you gave those white kids the same opportunity as the black kids they could and would excel. Deep in my Heart I can't wait until the day when we have the first White President.
ReplyDeleteJusus
The media whole underlying tone with this story is "why would this guy super smart white kid want to be around 'them'?"
ReplyDeleteAs a continued follower of this blog for almost a year, and a rising-senior at Morehouse College, I was not suprised to see this as a topic of discussion. I agree with my fellow Morehouse Man that this is not a big a deal as it seems.
ReplyDeleteJosh worked hard to receive his 4.0 and should therefore be named valedictorian. There are several other white students that decide to attend Morehouse and it is not fair for us to discount their accomplishments because of the color of their skin.
I got nothing but love for the dude if he's really a part of the black community like he seems to be.
ReplyDeleteIt's just noteworthy is all.
If Obama can be president, then this white boy can be the Val.
I definitely agree that it is noteworthy and I understand why it's making headlines. I just think that with all of the accomplishments Morehouse has made, even in the three years that I've been there, that it's messed up that this is the first thing that gets our school noticed.
ReplyDeleteFor so many people in the United States, black and white, this will be their first time even hearing of Morehouse College.
I love how people seem surprised when black people embrace a white person...I've seen all my life. It's never been about he's white...it's usually about he's cool...and he's white.
ReplyDeleteFunny thing is: what dude did is the answer to those white kids that bitch and sue cause they didn't get into the school they wanted cause of "quotas"...it was probably that and the fact that you were dumber then all of the other white people and 99% of the black people who applied.