Letter: Black Panther co-founder not qualified to teach

Editor,

I have read both the article in which appeared in the Aug. 21 Daily Lobo and the letter to the editor by Finnie Coleman that appeared Aug. 23, both about David Hilliard's appointment to UNM to teach two courses on the Black Panthers.

To begin with, I will admit that I do not know Hilliard and therefore will assume that he is basically a good and interesting person to know. The gist of this letter, however, has to do with his qualifications as a teacher and the examples he will set for our youth.

I was stunned when Coleman complained about the article's mention of the fact that Hilliard doesn't have an academic degree. I not only think it needs to be mentioned, I also think it is an anomaly. My guess is that Coleman has an academic degree and wouldn't hold his position as director of African-American studies otherwise.

In every aspect of life, certain goals must be achieved to be recognized as an authority on any given subject. I think that most people want their children's teachers to have received the appropriate teaching certificate for what they are trying to teach. Clearly, that is not applicable in this instance, and for some reason Coleman is willing to overlook it. This would seem to set a dangerous precedent.

I am further amazed that my tax dollars are going to fund a course that will focus on rap music's role in continuing the Black Panthers' legacy. I suspect that in a couple years there will be a lot of disappointed - and financially drained - parents whose children can't read, write or do math, but will be wizards at rap music. Unfortunately, there are very few companies in today's workforce that require knowledge of rap music and how it relates to the Black Panthers. Perhaps it is interesting knowledge, but it hardly reflects the purpose of an institute for higher learning.

Coleman says that Hilliard "loves teaching and is an expert at what he teaches." If so, how hard could it be to obtain academic qualifications for teaching?

I will reiterate that Hilliard is no doubt a great guy. However, I am amazed that an institute of higher learning, supported by our tax dollars, is planning on teaching something of such marginal value with someone not qualified to teach.

L.H. Crum

UNM staff