CONGRATULATIONS to B.L.A.C.K and Kilpatrick for the HUGE crowd! I am SO happy. I was unfortunately not able to go hear him speak, but reading this honestly made me tear up; he had some very good words to say and I’m very, very, very impressed with him. I agree with Ms. Brown wholeheartedly, beautifully stated. SO thrilled it went so well for EMU & for Kilpatrick. Much luck to him.

Ignored it. It was very easy to ignore the whole circus. It was actually quite easy to do. I’m glad I did. Sounds like he’s his usual unrepentent self, always the victim, always finding enemies (usually the media, or politicans, or , I dunno, the state of Michigan’s weather?)

Given that he only answered two questions, and walked away from the second one, I find the organizers contention that this appearance would be a chance for people to ask “hard hitting questions” of Kwame…imminently laughable in retrospect.

Standing ovations? Sounds like a pep rally.

Who’s the next speaker on “second chances” in this hard hitting series?

O.J.Simpson?

Mr. Kilpatrick talking about heros, he is certainly not one of them. Yes, M.L.King was a hero but Kilpatrick is not. Dr. King was disliked cause he wanted to help people, which is a stupid reason to hate someone. Mr. Kilpatrick is disliked for good reason. He is still a liar, cheater, and full of bs. Im not buying that redemption crap. Tell the truth and maybe he will get that second chance.

@Amberle

I was not there but read three stories about his appearance.

If his speech made you tear up and you believe him to be a victim, I have no faith in the next generation whatsoever to be accountable and achieve on its own.

His lessons? Dont forgive me – I dont care. I cheated on my wife – no big deal. Everyone is out to get me – I did nothing wrong. People call me a criminal – well DUH. Federal charges – whimsical????????? I owe money – whismical! Media coverage – biased (of course, blame the media.)

Amberle – get a grip. He is not a moral person and never will be. Listen to the undertones of his speech and then objectively ask if he is seeking redemption.

This is my favorite part of Kwames past: “Kilpatrick used his influence while in the Michigan legislature to funnel state grant money to two organizations that were vague on their project description. The groups were run by friends of Kilpatrick and both agreed to subcontract work to U.N.I.T.E., a company owned by Kilpatrick’s wife Carlita. Carlita was the only employee and the firm received $175,000 from the organizations.Detroit 3D was one of the groups and the State canceled its second and final installment of $250,000 because 3D refused to divulge details on how the funds were being spent.”

He used his wife to launder money — what a great guy!

@Amberle why cant you and others see him for what he is? Why are you impressed with him? Many people, black and white, just dont understand why this group is holding him up in esteem.

Excellent, a whole group of uninformed just became indoctrinated by The Hip Hop mayor.

@grady I would surmise that some cannot see him for what he is because they have not educated themselves about his history. What they know comes from his short, polarizing soundbites that stir an emotional reaction.

“taking his life back from haters”

“taking his life back from haters” I find it hard to believe someone that is aware of the entire situation could chalk it up to that.

@ Amberle and BLACK

Don’t you guys ever try and tell anyone you care about your university again.

You have brought so much shame to your university it is unbelievable. It must feel good to get all of this press while your actions more or less put another black eye on EMU’s image.

What the hell are they teaching these kids in EMU’s African American studies classes?

Are these student orgs really taking Kwame’s side just because he’s black? I mean Kwame just loves to racebait and BLACK just went right along with it. How disgusting, maybe public education truly has failed us all.

No wonder why there it no fight in the younger than 29 generation, they are so clueless about who the bad guys are it boggles the mind. I would so much more respect for BLACK if they’d just admit that they support Kwame because of he happens to be black. I doubt they’d ever invite a corrupt white politician under federal investigation to speak at EMU.

Just come out and admit that all you cared about was the press coverage. There were no lessons taught yesterday.

Good luck on future fund raising events…

I’m glad KK has forgiven himself… What a guy!

Your school is now a laughing stock, congratulations… How’s that student enrollment coming along?

IDIOTS.

I attended the event last night and what a joke. All Kwame did was crack jokes, dance, and talk about how everyone hates and is out to get Kwame. His analogies were horrible like comparing his situation to that of Hernan Cortez and that B.L.A.C.K. is a pioneer like MLK. The difference in that is what MLK believed in was right and what Kwame believes in is wrong. B.L.A.C.K wanted people to come with an open mind, but they themselves only wanted people to be open to there point of view. Like come on questions had to put on note cards for them to be asked. You know that they censored what they were gonna ask Kwame and only asked positive easy questions. What critical knowledge did I get out of this? That B.L.A.C.K is a bunch of Kwame supporters. Nothing else. I knew that the only person to approve of me is in fact, I didn’t need Kwame to tell them that. The one question he did get asked was yelled at from a student and B.L.A.C.K swooped in to shut him up. Real open if you ask me. Then Kwame didn’t even directly answer the question, he just listed a bunch of numbers. Like how does someone with no income get a $240,000 loan? I don’t care if your credit score is in the mid-800’s, it wouldn’t happen. He talked about his house, but he could easily live in a normal home. Nice job hiding your assets Kwame. I am sure your wife makes all the money right? Good luck Kwame on dealing with that 38 page indictment cause I am gonna laugh when you go to prison.

This situation just shows how knee-jerk and over-emotional many people are. Many of the comments i’ve read on this topic are a little too emotionally charged. All the comments about EMU’s image taking a hit are ridiculous. Calling the organizers and supporters of this event idiots is inappropriate. I understand people having a negative opinion of Kwame Kilpatrick because i do as well, but i don’t understand the logic in tying him into the reputation of this wonderful school so closely just on the basis of him being invited to speak here. I think some of the people on here needs to calm down.

We shouldn’t kid ourselves: Mr. Kilpatrick’s real intent was probably to taint the possible juror pool for his Federal case next year. He did a good job negating 600-700 possible jurors all in one hour speech last night.

That said…

My problem with Kwame is his basic in-the-bones hypocrisy and my problem with this event was not with the organizers, or EMU’s reaction or response…which seemed appropriate…but but with the basic fact that by holding the event, this student group played into and glorified the base hypocrisy of Kilpatrick self-promotion.

Here in Kwame Kilpatrick is someone who has always wanted to be and indeed historically has glorifies in the REWARDS of being a public figure (monogramed suits, flashy lifestyle, Ford Navigators, media attention for book tours, political speeches, and radio interviews…), but who consistently refuses to accept ANY of the RESPONSIBILITIES of being a public figure (much less a public STEWARD, which he pretended to be whilst mayor), and now, that his card has been pulled, he’s gone on not accepting any of the burden of being a public figure by acting like he isn’t one, and blaming the same tools that he used to get ahead (media coverage, publicity, being in the public eye, basically, have people pay attention to him all the time)…as the root of all his troubles. Because, at root, in Kwame-World, despite the fact that he constantly puts himself in the public eye, “no one understands him”, and “they won’t leave me alone”, why won’t people “move on” and it’a always the media, the suburbs, Kym Worthy, or whomever…now the Feds…out to get a poor blameless regular guy who made mistake of fooling around on his wife once and awhile.

If he had one ounce of self-introspection to at least see through the hypocrisy of his own imageand perhaps talk about that in his speech about “redemption”, it might be worth listening to. I’ve yet to hear that speech from Mr. Kilpatrick, and I’ve been listening a long time.

Alas, it appears the reverse happened last night, and it’s all just the same old blame game with Mr. Kilpatrick.

THis event was a joke. I was embarrassed I had to be there for class credit.
He was unprofessional, cocky, and hardly gave any direct answers or even talked about the topic at hand. I felt like race was often brought up as well. I agree with most of the comments above.EMU should have never allowed this group to have him come speak. Way to make EMU look like total idiots.

B.L,A.C.K.=Bums. Losers. Appologists. for the Criminal. Kilpatrick.

I was there. I get it that folks are upset. But my thing is what did he specifically do to you. You can tell by most of the comments that the majority of the people commenting are of Caucasian decent. What did he do to you all personally? Do you know him…really? Every SINGLE time a black leader does something or has a “mishap”..It is always MAGNIFIED times 10…while others’ follies are simply swept under the rung. Cut it out..Take your sheets off….Leave the man be…Let him be tried in court and move on with his life. Once he pays back the city…I can care less what he does…Why so VULGAR, and MEAN. You all NEVER cease to amaze me..Just disgusted more and more each day…Shout out to Channel 7 News…

Rob:

I wonder if you are suggesting that people should self-censor, rather than state their actual opinion, out of fear of physical attack? I certainly hope you are not attempting to intimidate others and keep them from speaking. We teach people to build strong arguments based on facts and logic here at EMU, not threaten to use physical force to shut the other side up. I think you can do better than that.

Most of the people at this university, have disrespected these young men but have not once made an attempt to go show your frustration to these gentlemen. As you read, Amberle was a die-hard person against this idea, but look now, she supports it! Stop being so closed minded to everything. Kwame came, Kwame left, he doesnt ever have to turn his tv back on. As far as physical attack? Naw, I wont partake in that, but if you are big and bad to call individuals out of their names because of a event, then you need to be known for the idiot that YOU are. Nobody complains when LGBT has events,nobody complains when the convo center host big events that we pay for and still have to pay for a ticket to get into an event. But instead, you all are complaining about Kwame. What about those events that YOU help fund? Oh believe it or not, you funded this event, Go ask for receipts! ITS YOUR RIGHTS! Go talk to these young men. ITS YOUR RIGHTS. I applaud Nickolas Patterson and BLACK because quite frankly, they dont care about what anyone has to say, article after article these men held their heads up high, while all of you senseless creatures made fools out of yourselves, to make a senseless comment because clearly, it is all in vain now. You didnt receive any money back, the event that was a success happened…

All this talk but how many protestors were there? One? It seems as to me as if you idiots need to take a lesson or two from BLACK.

One more last thing, everyone key point was that “he hasnt apologize yet”. Guess those idiots should have been in attendances yesterday.

Now go right ahead and bash me too, I probably wont read this article again simply because its a on going battle that clearly, you all lost. Its November 30,2011. Get back to your regularly scheduled closed minded, sad life. =)

Much appreciated, Rob. I’m sure B.L.A.C.K would too. Congratulations, B.L.A.C.K, even though it may have not turned out how you wanted, the point was that you stood up during the controversy, when people were bashing (and still are) you, and youguys continued on with your decision that having Kilpatrick speak was right. Screw what everyone else thinks. I’d support the entire thing all over again.

@Why

KK had mishaps? In denial much? State AND federal charges are mishaps? Wow … and you are the future?

Yes, it does seem white folk are more upset that KK has set back Detroit decades – perhaps even more so than white folk. This does perplex many suburbanites who simply dont understand why they dont expect more from leaders. Why you dont seem to want to hold him accounatble is just strange!

But to suggest white folk get a pass is ignorant,

Nationally: Bernie Madoff, Rep. Anthony Weiner, Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Congressman Mark Foley have all fallen recently. All by their own doing, How is Joe Paterno doing these days? Jim Tressel? John Edwards… want more? Larry Craig. Bigger names? Did Bill Cinton get away with things? Farther back in history? Nixon? Heck, even Martha Stewart did time!

Localy, look no futher than Wayne County to see the fallen and soon to be fallen. We are counting down the days to when Ficano resigns and the Feds move in on him. I guess he made some “mishaps.”

Unless I am blind, there are mostly white folk.

Corruption is color blind – apparently you are not!

I went in with an open mind. I wasn’t total sold on thinking bring him to speak was a wise idea. I did however go in with an open mind and was rather curious on what he had to say. But I did leave with a sour taste in my mouth. I was turned off but the way he spoke and how I felt a lot of his answers did pertained to questions asked.I thought more material would have been covered. Maybe if there was more time?

I am however offended that people keep dragging race into this. Last time I checked “white people” weren’t the only ones who were up set or frustrated about him speaking at EMU.SO stop throwing them under the bus.

It seems that maybe this country has turned a corner. If the youth feel that the disgust for K.K. is rooted in racism, not his deplorable actions, perhaps racism today has been abolished to the point where the youth no longer recognize what it is. Those that don’t recognize it become the unwitting promotors of it:
WHY – “take your sheets off”
and enforcers of it
Dave – “I’m quite sure if you had the opportunity, you wouldn’t say it to them personally”
Kwame succedded in rattling that knife he plunged in the back of Detroit.
Shameful.

It seems that maybe this country has turned a corner. If the youth feel that the disgust for K.K. is rooted in racism, not his deplorable actions, perhaps racism today has been abolished to the point where the youth no longer recognize what it is. Those that don’t recognize it become the unwitting promotors of it:
WHY – “take your sheets off”
and enforcers of it
Dave – “I’m quite sure if you had the opportunity, you wouldn’t say it to them personally”
Kwame succedded in rattling that knife he plunged in the back of Detroit.
Shameful.

What on earth could you possibly learn from this narcissistic, felon. The only thing he is famous for is RAPING the city he professed to love. He has done nothing but ruin peoples lives, steal from charities, embezzle and is staring down the barrel of a 40 COUNT FEDERAL INDICTMENT which will bring him and his corrupt family crashing down for 30 freaking years!!!

And BLACK thinks this is the guy to help educate?????????

I will go out of my way to HATE on EMU any chance I get for the rest of my life. I feel betrayed.

If this is what your school considers an educational moment I have lost all respect for your institution and you better NEVER come around my wallet. EVER.

Stay classy EMU !!!

Who’s next, Bernie Madoff on how to maintain fiscal responsibility???

You are the bottom feeder of the MAC and it is this kind of disrespect that keeps you there.

Unbelievable. What did you learn? Really, tell me what you learned from this evil man?

I would love to know WHAT YOU LEARNED from him? SOMEBODY TELL ME…

Because all I see is you showering a convicted felon (soon to be looking at 30 years in a federal pen) with a bunch of BLACK love…

I will remember this slap in the face. Especially when you want money from me…

IDIOTS

Some of you people need to come off your high horse and stop using this as an opportunity to grind an axe against EMU. Do you last two posters feel better about yourselves now that you’ve disrespected a ton of great students and people who attend EMU and have nothing to do with this at all? Do you realize how irrational and ignorant you sound. Does it feel good to over-react over something so trivial. Do you really feel that betrayed utgorockets? Is calling EMU a bottom feeder, thus calling the students bottom feeders a classy statement umgoblue?

umgoblue is obviously a U-M wannabee and “hater” of EMU for his own, insecure reasons. Did EMU kick you out? Do you not have a job and blame EMU? Why would we want money from you when you claim YOU ARE THE BOTTOM FEEDER OF THE MAC? Are you one of us or not?

Make up your insecure mind — keep hating if you must – but please, get a life.People like you are, well, a waste of space in humanity.

ungoblue is probably a walmart wolverine who probably went to a community college. i strongly doubt the he has ever set foot on the campuses of EMU or U of M or has the money to donate to any school anyway. LMAO

Let’s be clear here.
EMU didn’t bring Kwame here to speak.
B.L.A.C.K. did.

EMU didn’t make this choice- a student organization did.

As a side note, I absolutely LOVE when people bring up race…
Person A didn’t want Kwame to speak and thought that his message was horrible- OBVIOUSLY Person A MUST be WHITE and they MUST be a RACIST because WHY ELSE would they be hating on a BLACK guy coming to speak?
Clearly it has NOTHING to do with Kilpatrick’s HORRIBLE decisions where he lied, cheated and STOLE from the people.

Pathetic.

The people who think that way are actually committing racism themselves… do they not realize that?

For those of you that think that way… Are you serious?
White people are obviously racists, not because we don’t want to let a dishonorable person speak, but because that person /happens/ to be black. And since he’s black, and black is a minority, the white people who don’t want him to speak need to feel guilty for not wanting a minority to speak.

Please.
Did you miss the past 3 years? Were you in the country?
We have a black PRESIDENT.
Get over yourselves.

I’m white, yes.
And you can bet that I’d be against Anthony Weiner, Bill Clinton, and Tiger Woods coming to ANY COLLEGE to speak about Monogamy. Or Fidelity.

Oh wait. I’m not supposed to include Tiger Woods because me not wanting him to speak on these issues because HE CHEATED ON HIS WIFE is clearly not why I wouldn’t want him to speak… It’s because he’s black, so now I’m a racist again.

If you truly believe Kwame’s message was in line with what you believe, awesome. More power to you.
But the overwhelming feeling I’m seeing is that what he said is NOT in line with people’s values or beliefs.

EMU didn’t choose this man.
B.L.A.C.K. did.
He is in line with THEIR beliefs, not the University’s— Stop blaming EMU for this.

Bringing Kilpatrick on campus was a stupid decision. But we expect stupid decisions from students on occasion – one function of the college experience is to allow them to stretch their critical faculties in a safe environment. Intellectual growth is not always a pretty process.

Which is why the University was correct in NOT over-riding the student group’s decision. If we’re serious about the overall mission of the University, we have to allow for the occasional mis-step, and we have to be comfortable with the messes that ensue. Just chalk it all up to the learning process.

Besides, once the University gets into the business of vetting student group decisions, where do you draw the line? Who gets the unenviable job of deciding which speakers, which ideas, are too controversial for the campus?

The University’s Administration handled this perfectly well; they allowed the students to implement their stupid idea, and to deal with everything that came from it, and we all hope the students learned something useful from it.

Kilpatrick’s visit did not reflect well on the judgment of a very small group of students, but it did reflect well on the judgment of the University.

I’m not at all surprised by the comments above, actually I was expecting them. What I dont understand is why we still allow ourselves to get emotional when we hear something that we dont agree with? There will always be discrimination, there will always be racism, that is something that will probably never change. What we can change is how we react in the face of discrimination and adversity. It really doesnt matter what others say because at the end of the discussion, it is just an opinion. If we stick together and back each other up, stand as one voice, the ignorance displayed will start to grow weary and faint. I’ll be the first to admit that yes, the “race” card may sometimes be overused, but that stems from everday experiences that the “Majority” could NEVER understand.
Unity is the key.

It seems as if everyone was more focused on “Who” came instead of the actual message that was delivered which I find interesting. If you all would actually just pay attention, the message was about second chances and redemption. I take it you all are perfect seeing as though you are all so quick to point the finger. Who are any of us to judge? That’s a job for a much bigger person than any of us. Take a look at yourself in the mirror first!

People just doesn’t get it. It has nothing to do with getting emostional over the guy and definitely has nothing to do with anyone being critial of the man feeling that they are perfect. I ask that anyone who support the guy to put their emotions in check as well. Just as you have an opinion, so does someone else has the right to have an alternate opinion. The difference is that you have an opinion in favor of the guy and you see anyone else with a different opinion as judging the man. Just an FYI, criticsm and judging are not synonymous with one another.
I find it laghable that supporters of the guy have these blinders on as if the guy is truly redeemed and Lord knows that he has had enough second chances, while squandoring away those opportunities. If there is anymore proof that one needs to see how much of a loser the guy is, watch the guy, in his own words, spwe venom at others during the interview that he gave with a reporter from WDIV in Detroit. This was done without a lawyer present and under his own term. Ironically, he spoke to someone from the very entity that he lambasted during his visit on campus last week.
Since his distractors are all wrong and merely jealous of the guy, which I find oh so laughable, I encourage you supporters of the guy to try to be objective while viewing for yourself as he bloviates on and on making it about him. The guy obviously thinks that everyone else is stuck on stpud, but I guess we’ll all see come next here who really is the stupid one. The interview only proves that the guy’s ego is much larger than the reality that he is facing.
The fact that he is the common denominator and everyone else is lying is another example of his reality bordering on delusion. Check out for yourself: http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/investigations/Defenders-exclusive-Kwame-Kilpatrick-tells-all/-/1719314/4875880/-/4hco26/-/index.html