One Man Protest

Date: May 6, 2004

One Man Protest

Date: May 6, 2004

I get out of class at 9:50 (just in time). See you there!

Date: May 6, 2004

Don't do that! An Excellence in Teaching Award is a very precious thing; it was not given by Thames, and it does not hurt Thames for you to destroy it. It only hurts the bestowers, your students.

Y'all, let's think of something else he can do...

Date: May 6, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: LVN
"Don't do that! An Excellence in Teaching Award is a very precious thing; it was not given by Thames, and it does not hurt Thames for you to destroy it. It only hurts the bestowers, your students. Y'all, let's think of something else he can do..."

That may have been true in the past, but these days all faculty awards go through the President's Office for approval and some of them must therefore be taken with a grain of salt.

Date: May 6, 2004

I stand corrected. Other places I have been, as best I recall, they were awarded by students.

Date: May 6, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: LVN
"I stand corrected. Other places I have been, as best I recall, they were awarded by students."

Actually, anyone has always been able to nominate a faculty member for a Teaching Award. I once witnessed a department chair nominate one of his faculty because he was trying to make them happier with USM and prevent their leaving - the faculty member was by far not the best teacher in the department, much less in the college or on campus. They got the award.

However, I am not insinuating that this is the case with Dr. Berry at all - he likely deserved his three and more.

Date: May 6, 2004

Way to go, DC! (He is my dissertation director, so I'm sad to see that he is retiring, but I'm behind him 100%!).

Someone please take pictures and post them here!

And, please, DC, have Jameela, Gary, and/or others (maybe Dr. J and Raybear?) reading some appropriate poetry while you burn your awards. This is performance art/protest at its finest!

Date: May 6, 2004

For those of us far away, please take pics and post them.

Date: May 6, 2004

After the refusal of the IHL to meet, I think we need some other kind of protest. Prof. Berry cannot do this alone.

A prof. I know has suggested that we all silently walk through the dome. If we were all doing it, all day, it could be very effective.

Date: May 6, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: LVN
"Don't do that! An Excellence in Teaching Award is a very precious thing; it was not given by Thames, and it does not hurt Thames for you to destroy it. It only hurts the bestowers, your students. Y'all, let's think of something else he can do..."

I had David in more than one class when I was an undergrad, and loved being in his classes. I haven't had a conversation with him since the 1980's, but I cringe when I think of David destroying his awards. He was a great teacher back then, and I am sure he still is a great teacher. That sort of thing rises above the current horrible situation.

David, I'd be very happy to see you make a statement against the current events, but I am not sure if destroying awards is the best way to show the anger.

I am also not sure what years these awards were given to you. However, if one of these awards came during the years when I was there, when I was a vocal, on-campus fan, I feel that you may be destroying something that I might have helped direct your way.

You are a wonderful professor. Please do not let Thames' issues inflict punishment upon your legacy,

BB

Date: May 6, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: LVN
"Don't do that! An Excellence in Teaching Award is a very precious thing; it was not given by Thames, and it does not hurt Thames for you to destroy it. It only hurts the bestowers, your students. Y'all, let's think of something else he can do..."

Truth4usm - please help me with this! You and I are in the same boat when it comes to David.

I will take photos tomorrow, of whatever he wants to do, but I will be very, very sad while doing so.

Date: May 6, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: truth4usm/AH
"Way to go, DC! (He is my dissertation director, so I'm sad to see that he is retiring, but I'm behind him 100%!). Someone please take pictures and post them here! And, please, DC, have Jameela, Gary, and/or others (maybe Dr. J and Raybear?) reading some appropriate poetry while you burn your awards. This is performance art/protest at its finest!"

Sorry, Truth, I'm teaching my last Honors Composition class at 10 a.m. so I won't be able to attend. I'm sorry we can't send life-size cardboard cut-outs as proxies when we have to miss such occasions, but then cardboard isn't terribly articulate anyway.

Date: May 6, 2004

It's a composition class, DCBerry is a poet--you could do worse than to take your students to this event.

Perhaps he will "compose" a poem or two, or at least read a poem or two.

Date: May 6, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: IceCreamCone
"It's a composition class, DCBerry is a poet--you could do worse than to take your students to this event. Perhaps he will "compose" a poem or two, or at least read a poem or two."

IceCreamCone,

I'll take it as a compliment that you'd like me to attend, but my classes are always important to me, and this is our last one of the semester. We still have important stuff scheduled--the three last oral presentations by the students on their research.

Were I free, however, I'd certainly be there to honor D.C.

Date: May 6, 2004

The awards were not granted under Thames. I don't know who gave first one, probably students--I wore a little yellow hat and was lonely.

Faculty the other two, last one '93, at which time provost got my ear, said three's the limit, Berry, simmer down.

Well, I haven't. I've taught like a maddog. I've wopped heads. I've been an assistant mama. On recent evaluation got highest marks possible for teaching and for research. Ponderful.

My intention tomorrow is to SHOW heavy-hand of Ironhead Thames.

Will also destroy my thirty-year, diamond?-studded
pin. Divorce, kinda thing. Embarrassed to be associated with USM. Embarrassed for my students. For their parents. What with faculty leaving, retiring, applying elsewhere (Millsaps told me check later, Princeton too flattered to reply, Postcard from Harvard).

Will not let my kid come here. Stinky. Southern Miss, butt of State and Ole Miss. Only more so.

DC Berry

I'll--domani--be the unit in dark socks.

Date: May 6, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: DC Berry
"My intention tomorrow is to SHOW heavy-hand of Ironhead Thames. "

Would love to see that, DC, but I'm well away from Southern Miss. Divorced from it, you might say.

a.

Date: May 6, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: DC Berry
"The awards were not granted under Thames. I don't know who gave first one, probably students--I wore a little yellow hat and was lonely. Faculty the other two, last one '93, at which time provost got my ear, said three's the limit, Berry, simmer down. Well, I haven't. I've taught like a maddog. I've wopped heads. I've been an assistant mama. On recent evaluation got highest marks possible for teaching and for research. Ponderful. My intention tomorrow is to SHOW heavy-hand of Ironhead Thames. Will also destroy my thirty-year, diamond?-studded pin. Divorce, kinda thing. Embarrassed to be associated with USM. Embarrassed for my students. For their parents. What with faculty leaving, retiring, applying elsewhere (Millsaps told me check later, Princeton too flattered to reply, Postcard from Harvard). Will not let my kid come here. Stinky. Southern Miss, butt of State and Ole Miss. Only more so. DC Berry I'll--domani--be the unit in dark socks. "

DC--Rock on with your bad self. Read some poetry, make a SCENE! Take pictures and report back.

Miz ACH

Date: May 6, 2004

kick

Date: May 7, 2004

Oh D.C., we'll miss you!

I'm kicking this back to the top.

Date: May 7, 2004

left camera at home. who is bringing one

Date: May 7, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: DC Berry
"Will not let my kid come here. Stinky. Southern Miss, butt of State and Ole Miss. Only more so."

Folks, it is very sad when a man devotes over 30 years of his life to being an excellent teacher & mentor to students & leaves with this in his heart. But Dr. Berry is not alone. Many of the retired profs I know have indeed "divorced" themselves from the university. And I'm talking about other people with excellence in teaching awards & "distinguished professor" titles.

Dr. Berry: I never took your class. Many of my friends did. I remember fondly evenings at the old Homestead lounge (down at the end of Hardy where the Vietnam memorial obilisk is now) with "David Berry & the Poets" performing on the little stage. Beer & poetry was a lot better than bread & circuses... <SIGH> You can destroy that 30 year pin & burn those awards, but you cannot destroy your legacy, bubba.

Beer & poetry served us as well as bread & circuses...

Fire Shelby · Status: Offline

quote:
Originally posted by: Invictus
" Folks, it is very sad when a man devotes over 30 years of his life to being an excellent teacher & mentor to students & leaves with this in his heart. But Dr. Berry is not alone. Many of the retired profs I know have indeed "divorced" themselves from the university. And I'm talking about other people with excellence in teaching awards & "distinguished professor" titles. Dr. Berry: I never took your class. Many of my friends did. I remember fondly evenings at the old Homestead lounge (down at the end of Hardy where the Vietnam memorial obilisk is now) with "David Berry & the Poets" performing on the little stage. Beer & poetry was a lot better than bread & circuses... <SIGH> You can destroy that 30 year pin & burn those awards, but you cannot destroy your legacy, bubba. Beer & poetry served us as well as bread & circuses..."

What a moving tribute--you made ol' Fire Shelby teary eyed.

Date: May 7, 2004

It seems ironically appropriate that D.C. would choose awards as a focus for his demonstration. For years he ably directed the English department's awards and scholarships, and paid with his own funds to establish a valuable and coveted award for graduate teaching, the Ben Mounger Rawls Excellence in Teaching Award. (Typically for D.C., it generously bears another person's name.) Before Gary Stringer, D.C. was the Charles W. Moorman Distinguished Professor in the Humanities, and it might be noted that most of the Moorman professors have publicly objected to the Thames administration.

I hope anyone not already committed to other duties will show up to honor D.C. today. His words--unlike so many we've heard from the Dome--will not be empty. He has always been a poet. Today he'll be a prophet.

Date: May 7, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Jameela Lares
"It seems ironically appropriate that D.C. would choose awards as a focus for his demonstration. For years he ably directed the English department's awards and scholarships, and paid with his own funds to establish a valuable and coveted award for graduate teaching, the Ben Mounger Rawls Excellence in Teaching Award. (Typically for D.C., it generously bears another person's name.) Before Gary Stringer, D.C. was the Charles W. Moorman Distinguished Professor in the Humanities, and it might be noted that most of the Moorman professors have publicly objected to the Thames administration. I hope anyone not already committed to other duties will show up to honor D.C. today. His words--unlike so many we've heard from the Dome--will not be empty. He has always been a poet. Today he'll be a prophet."

Thank you, Jameela! I have known DC since I was 19 and took my first poetry workshop with him (he called it "Poetry Church" and it was my salvation, to say the least!). I have to say that it is in large part due to him (and to Angela Ball, another internationally-respected poet, teacher, and now chair of English Dept.) that I am about to complete my Ph.D. in Creative Writing at USM. It will be bittersweet for me, though, since DC was my dissertation director, but will not be around to give me my "hood" because of the atrocities committed by Shelby Thames.

In the spirit of one of DC's famous writing maxims..."Show, don't tell." DC, show them what you've got today! I'm sad to see you go, but proud of the stand you are taking.

Miz ACH

Date: May 7, 2004

Any updates or pix?

Date: May 7, 2004

Is DC's protest over yet? Any pictures? Please post or send to truth@FireThames.com

Fire Shelby · Status: Offline

quote:
Originally posted by: truth4usm/AH
"Is DC's protest over yet? Any pictures? Please post or send to truth@FireThames.com "

If anyone has photos and you can't post them or don't know how to, I will be glad to start a thread with photos. Let me know.

Date: May 7, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: truth4usm/AH
"Is DC's protest over yet? Any pictures? Please post or send to truth@FireThames.com "

Its over - three awards smashed - pieces will be mailed to the 12 IHL Board members - 30 year sevice pin also smashed - lots of great rhetoric bashing Thames and the Board. I don't know whether to laugh, cheer, or cry. Very moving, very sad. What is happening at USM is such a travesty.

Date: May 7, 2004

Excellent speaker. Dr. Berry said some very harsh things against the administration. He called the IHL Board Clowns and Dufuses (sp). He more than anyone since this fiasco began has stood up for what he believs in.

New Slogan... SHOW DONT TELL. Anyone can tell them what you want. It takes a real man (woman) to show them what you want.

Fire Shelby · Status: Offline

quote:
Originally posted by: Angeline
"Its over - three awards smashed - pieces will be mailed to the 12 IHL Board members - 30 year sevice pin also smashed - lots of great rhetoric bashing Thames and the Board. I don't know whether to laugh, cheer, or cry. Very moving, very sad. What is happening at USM is such a travesty."

Very sad.

Were any media reps there? How many people attended?

Date: May 7, 2004

I agree with angeline about the laugh, scream, cry thing. Dr. Berry evoked a lot of emotion. We should all buy his book because he is going to need some income soon.

What he did compares to a top ranked and highly awarded student saying, I dont know where I am going to go, but it wont be here anymore. And before I go, I'd like you to have everything I worked so hard for back, because it means nothing to me and I am ashamed of it.

Fire Shelby · Status: Offline

quote:
Originally posted by:
" Very sad. Were any media reps there? How many people attended?"

I am getting reports now. The media was there...also tons of people.

Fire Shelby · Status: Offline

quote:
Originally posted by:
"I am getting reports now. The media was there...also tons of people."

WDAM filmed it. Watch the news tonight.

Date: May 7, 2004

best line was, "I used university phones to invite the press, can I have two years salary?"

Date: May 7, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: flyonthewall
"best line was, "I used university phones to invite the press, can I have two years salary?""

DC...you are the man. This is USM's loss...so glad you went out with a "bang!"

SHOW, DON'T TELL!

NO QUARTER!

Date: May 7, 2004

My husband and I both attended the "Discount Church of Poetry" with the Right Reverend Dave while at USM. The man is absolutely brilliant in the classroom. He is one of the people that inspired me to teach.

USM has lost one of its brightest stars today.

Date: May 7, 2004

Plain, but strange. You rock on, DC!

Date: May 7, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: aghast
"Plain, but strange. You rock on, DC!"

Another favorite DCB saying: "Tension gets attention." (also appropriate here).

Date: May 7, 2004

Wish I could have been there. DC was a great Prof. Truely proud to have known him and learn from him.

Thank DCS.

S.D.T!

Date: May 7, 2004

The H'burg American blurb:

Posted May 7, 2004 2:52 PM.

Professor destroys awards in protest

University of Southern Mississippi professor David “D.C.” Berry destroyed three Excellence in Teaching awards Friday to protest what he says is the school’s loss of excellence.

Berry, 61, staged the protest in front of the Liberal Arts Building after filing retirement papers Thursday, four years before he had planned to leave the university where he’s taught since 1972.

“I’m ashamed of anything of mine relating to this university,” Berry said before breaking the plaques across his knee

Date: May 7, 2004

So what did our buds at WDAM show about the protest?

Date: May 7, 2004

Good pictures of the destruction of the awards and comments from DC (see the "glossary" for these). Shots of Gary Stringer looking relaxed and cool in a tropical hat, there but not commenting (due to the terms of settlement). Great quote from Jonathan Barron on how this was the saddest thing he's ever seen (GO JONATHAN!) Also a comment from student Pat Huff (can't remember the specifics, but he was wonderfully understated but right on, as always). Concluded with description of how DC says he would not send his kid to Southern Miss.

Good coverage. Maybe we should schedule an event like this every day next week until Thames resigns. I don't have any awards to trash . . .so I'll have to think of something else.

Date: May 7, 2004

I agree...I think this was a powerful statement. More powerful statements would be appreciated!