2008 Woodie Awards
Who is Eronomy Smith?
Kaity Parson
Issue date: 11/29/06 Section: News
When asked about the dissociation notices put out by the local Muslim Mosque, or the Masjid Omar Ibn Say'yid, Minister Mohammed claims that the minister who put out the notices against him was fired for alleged misappropriation of funds. Representatives from the mosque were unavailable to confirm or deny this account.
When asked about reasons behind the dissociation notices put out by FSU, Minister Mohammed feels that it is more of an administrative decision. "I have faculty that support me; half are with me and half are not," he states. "I have neighbors and friends who were deans, administrators and teachers when I was a student and they don't have a problem, they just ask 'Why?'"
So why does Minister Mohammed feel the need to associate himself with the university? He says, "Dr. Seabrook was my neighbor and after he was president he used to come by and check on the university because he cared so much. I do it because of my loyalty to the FSU family."
Nonetheless, we can not ignore the fact that Minister Mohammed continually insists on speaking on behalf of the Alumni Association when he is not officially part of the association. One argument is that students are misled into thinking that he can solve all their problems, when in fact he has no real power at the university. He admits, however, that he has no real power: "I don't have any power, but I have friends and I go to them with the truth and they bring about change."
Minister Mohammed attributes many of the changes that have taken place on campus as his doing. Many may have heard him speak of the things that he has helped establish. He expresses involvement in getting rid of Shaw Foods, establishing the fountain in front of the student center, and says that he was in charge of the Alumni Museum in the Chick Building. He also speaks of being instrumental in many changes that have taken place in the community such as the redevelopment of downtown Fayetteville and Murchison Road, to name a few. While Minister Mohammed has an impressive knowledge of events that have taken place on our campus and in our community, it is difficult, if not impossible, to confirm or deny his level of involvement in these activities.
Whatever the case may be, Minister Mohammed has been coming back to check on FSU since he arrived back from the Vietnam War in 1971, and says that he will continue to do so. "When the FSU family is united and taken care of, and nobody is starving, it is a win-win situation. It's a real Family"
When asked about reasons behind the dissociation notices put out by FSU, Minister Mohammed feels that it is more of an administrative decision. "I have faculty that support me; half are with me and half are not," he states. "I have neighbors and friends who were deans, administrators and teachers when I was a student and they don't have a problem, they just ask 'Why?'"
So why does Minister Mohammed feel the need to associate himself with the university? He says, "Dr. Seabrook was my neighbor and after he was president he used to come by and check on the university because he cared so much. I do it because of my loyalty to the FSU family."
Nonetheless, we can not ignore the fact that Minister Mohammed continually insists on speaking on behalf of the Alumni Association when he is not officially part of the association. One argument is that students are misled into thinking that he can solve all their problems, when in fact he has no real power at the university. He admits, however, that he has no real power: "I don't have any power, but I have friends and I go to them with the truth and they bring about change."
Minister Mohammed attributes many of the changes that have taken place on campus as his doing. Many may have heard him speak of the things that he has helped establish. He expresses involvement in getting rid of Shaw Foods, establishing the fountain in front of the student center, and says that he was in charge of the Alumni Museum in the Chick Building. He also speaks of being instrumental in many changes that have taken place in the community such as the redevelopment of downtown Fayetteville and Murchison Road, to name a few. While Minister Mohammed has an impressive knowledge of events that have taken place on our campus and in our community, it is difficult, if not impossible, to confirm or deny his level of involvement in these activities.
Whatever the case may be, Minister Mohammed has been coming back to check on FSU since he arrived back from the Vietnam War in 1971, and says that he will continue to do so. "When the FSU family is united and taken care of, and nobody is starving, it is a win-win situation. It's a real Family"
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Anca Stefan
posted 11/29/06 @ 12:30 PM EST
I wonder why it was instrumental to Minister Mohammed to inform us that those "white friends" he has are also, coincidentally, millionaires.
Mister Mohammed has a little more convincing to do than simply assert that he is the posessor of "white friends. (Continued…)
Kaity Parson
posted 12/19/06 @ 1:29 PM EST
I have to disagree with your idea of the definition of pride. I have a lot of pride in my race. I am proud to be an African American and would not want to be anything else. (Continued…)
Andrew
posted 3/15/08 @ 11:01 AM EST
great article kaity...
candace
posted 3/18/08 @ 11:31 AM EST
This article was very informative. I've seen the signs and often wondered who he was and what he did. Very good article.
Wendy
posted 3/26/08 @ 4:57 PM EST
Mr Smith is the epitome of a racist. I have personally seen him go out of his way to avoid speaking to people who are not African-American, especially during one of his laughable political campaigns. (Continued…)
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