By Phillip Bailey
The upcoming Association of Black Students elections will be a significant crossroads for the organization.
The two possible paths are representing by the contrasting personalities of the 2007 presidential candidates, OJ Oleka and Rosie Washington. Previous years suggest the ABS’ role in the University of Louisville community will be determined by the character of its president.
With Oleka, the organization will have a well-behaved, carefully orchestrated and deferential president.
Since being elected as the group’s parliamentarian two years ago, he’s promoted his style as more diplomatic than other black student leaders while remaining embedded in the social and cultural activities of the black community.
In his own words, Oleka says he has “the ability to shift through the rocks and the water and find the gold.”
What are the fruits of Oleka’s diplomacy? Nothing! Saying he is more diplomatic is code for accommodation. What he means is that he won’t upset the white majority and will avoid tough decisions on controversial subjects.
For instance, Oleka has remained mum on the Forgotten Four abandoned in Belize, even though ABS President Shauntrice Martin was one of the students left behind.
Still, Oleka’s critics cannot deny the charisma and confidence his unflustered presentation exudes. From debonair Kanye West-like clothes to King’s English speeches, he has consistently been entrusted by others to lead, propelling him to familiarity in numerous student groups since his freshman year.
One should not question Oleka’s commitment to the African-American community, but there’s a rightful skepticism as to what his overvalued and unproven diplomacy entails.
The uncertainty about Oleka is that he’s all style and no substance, still the milquetoast “failed fashion show peacock” from two years ago. On controversial subjects, he’ll sacrifice social justice and be more concerned with making ABS respectable and ultimately submissive to the larger U of L community.
This was evident when Oleka rushed to divorce the ABS from students who protested tuition policies at the SGA State of the Student Union address.
However, ABS did not organize that demonstration and many felt Oleka over-stepped his boundaries in deference. As a result, ABS members called for his resignation and almost rallied his impeachment as ABS Vice-President.
Oleka is certainly qualified, but he’ll probably always do the nice thing – not the right thing.
Washington offers an Oprahesque ability to stitch together disparate groups within the black community.
Many have grown frustrated with the internal battles of ABS, choosing exile or apathy over membership. With no baggage from the previous years, Washington may be the unifying candidate who can bring that untapped constituency back into the fold.
While her opponent’s politics lack valor, Washington’s been prepared for public advocacy as a member of the U of L debate team. Traveling the country and competing against top rated schools instills confidence in her ability to handle the tough, behind-the-scenes negotiations essential to successful leadership. Washington will be a strong representative.
Her only weakness is that unlike her opponent, Washington, whether right or wrong, is a novice at making executive decisions for such a broad audience. In that sense, she’s too much like Oprah.
We know her amiable socialite demeanor, not her public advocacy positions. The honeymoon with the community will end when the first student organization complains of monetary favoritism or charges her with being too activist-minded.
Either way, this Thursday the Association of Black Students will have a new president, and the organization will take a new direction, for better or for worse.
