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SPECIAL SERIES : Campus Controversy: Black Studies Professor Arrested |
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Akom Arrest Investigation Begins
November 9, 2005 3:04 PM
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The independent investigation into the arrest of Africana Studies Professor Antwi Akom is underway and will likely be complete by Nov. 20, according to SF State officials. Within a week of the arrest, SF State President Robert Corrigan appointed former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown and former City Attorney Louise H. Renne to investigate the incident. Akom returned to campus around 11 p.m. on Oct. 25 to get a textbook he needed for class the next day. Adelberto Guevara, a Wackenhut security guard, called his supervisor to report that a “tall black male with a dreadlock hairstyle” had refused to show him identification, according to a police report filed by SF State police. Guevara told police that he saw Akom walking briskly towards the Ethnic Studies and Psychology building and asked him “Excuse me, do you work here?” Akom replied, “Yeah I work here,” and then walked to his office on the second floor, according to the report. Officer Brandon Rodgers was the first of three SF State officers to respond and confront Akom. Rodgers and Guevara searched room-to-room looking for Akom, and a physical altercation ensued after they saw him on the second floor, the report states. Akom was arrested and charged with felony assault on a police officer and resisting arrest, which were later reduced to misdemeanor charges by a Superior Court judge. Corrigan said the review team was gathered in an effort to “restore a sense of community and trust,” and to serve as the “beginning of a healing process” at SF State. “The review team is analyzing the situation and helping everyone to discover what happened that night, and their findings will be given to the president,” Griffin said. “They will explore the full context of the situation, which can include issues such as racial tensions and racial profiling,” Griffin said. Corrigan told a student gathering last week that the report, which is separate from any criminal investigation, is expected within the next ten days and will be made available to the public after he reviews it. Akom returned to class Nov. 3 to find many supportive students and faculty. Many wore orange armbands signifying their support of Akom and opposition to racial profiling. Campus police initially told Akom that, due to campus regulations, he would be barred from the campus for 14 days, but the order was later rescinded. Akom was not able to comment by [X]press deadline.
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PHOTO
 Professor Akom teaches his class in Black Cultures and Personalities every Tuesday and Thursday at SF State. Last Tuesday, Akom used powerpoint slides to discuss topics of race and class.
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| BACK TO TOP | Copyright © 2008 [X]press | Journalism Department - San Francisco State University |
How much damage has been done to the individuals, the institution and society by all the knee-jerk reactives who immediately cry racial profiling, police brutality, etc.?
A step back and a deep breath would go far to reduce the harm that this reckless charges have caused.
Based on the reports and the witness statments, what we have here is not racial profiling or police brutality, but a professor who believes that he is above the rules of the university and of common sense.
The rules about showing ID is to protect the rest of the professors, students, etc. from unauthorized persons entering.
the common sense is to accept these rules and be mature in dealing with them. The university pays the security officer and the police to enforce these rules.
This didn't happen because Professor Akom was black, but because he responded in an inappropriate manner when asked for his ID. Then he shoved an officer. Officers are not paid to be assaulted. From the observations of those present, Professor Akom seems to have some anger management issues that he needs to address, so that he can live life without the threat that he will loose control in dealing with personal and social situations.
If Proffessor Akom had been white and the same chain of events happened, he still would have been in jail.
But the important difference is that you and I wouldn't be reading about it, because this would be mostly non-news and not worthy of the ink.
Once again race relations took a step back because some were immature and others were looking for an excuse to lay blame on an external source, when it really comes down to personal responsibility.