ALL HAIL JONATHAN BUTLER AND MIZZOU

ALL HAIL TO JONATHAN BUTLER AND THE MIZZOU COMMUNITY !! I salute University of Missouri graduate student, Jonathan Butler, for literally putting his life, with an 8-day hunger strike, on the line to protest and to seek redress of too long-festering racial issues on the Columbia, Missouri, campus which President Tim Wolfe--who just resigned today--took too casually, even cavalierly--for anyone's good! Now that Tim Wolfe, the tangible focal point of protests, is gone, an uncomfortable, though no less compelling question remains for Jonathan Butler, all protesters, curators, and that campus itself! That question is: "What now?" Those who shouted "nigger" from passing pickup trucks; those who scrawled swastikas smeared in feces on dormitory restroom walls, were NOT Tim Wolfe, or his agents! He kept the stiff upper lip and tried to ride out this tidal wave of racism and the reaction too it! He erred. Now, that he is gone, "Now what?" I raise this question because based on my studies and experiences, in similar contexts, I have found that addressing substance to be much harder than removing symbolism. Wolfe was symbolic . Neither he, nor any agent of his, proximately caused any of the heinous acts instigating or exacerbating the protests. As to what caused those acts proximately and proximally, an inquiry must be made, quickly, completely, emphatically: finally! Perhaps a "Truth and Justice Commission," akin to that which was convened in South Africa, after apartheid's fall, can be convened on all four University of Missouri campuses to inquire and to redress issues peculiar to each location under the aegis of each existing Chancellor , while the search for a new President continues . Or not. Just a sop of a suggestion is offered here by me. I am a non-University of Missouri alumnus--Howard University is mine--but, a thirty-year, Missouri attorney (inactive), resident and taxpayer. Better ideas may be proffered and implemented to the glory of Missouri, protesters, athletes, and educational efficacy! Whatever betide, I reiterate: Congratulation to you all! And particularly to Jonathan Butler!