A Great Loss: The Passing of Dr. Asa Grant
Hilliard III (1933-2007)
by BAR contributing editor Donald H. Smith, Ph.D.
Dr. Smith delivered these remarks at the funeral for Asa
Grant Hilliard III, who died August 13 in Cairo, Egypt, of complications from
malaria.
"The thousands who came to Atlanta for the two-day
homecoming of this giant knew and adored him."
The African world has lost one of the most distinguished,
most influential educators of our times. He was a psychologist, educator,
humanitarian, Egyptologist, master teacher, lecturer, researcher and author of
more than a thousand publications. At the time of his transition he had been
the Fuller E. Calloway Distinguished Professor at Georgia State University for twenty-seven
years. He had previously been dean of the School of Education at San Francisco
State University and had served as superintendent of schools in Liberia.
Dr. Hilliard's burning mission was to free the minds of
African people worldwide and to protect African people. He traveled extensively
giving workshops and advice to school systems and universities throughout the
United States and Africa. He was often called upon to give expert testimony on
the testing of children of African descent. He served as lead expert witness in
several landmark federal cases on test validity and bias.
Dr. Hilliard's knowledge and influence were enormous. He was
a renaissance man with abounding energy and love for African people. Of his
many accomplishments the most important may well be his continuing demand for
academic and cultural excellence for children, for adults of African ancestry.
He insisted that the knowledge of African history and
culture was essential to the mental health and wholeness of African people. He co-chaired
the First National Conference on the Infusion of African and African-American
Content in the School Curriculum. In his classic document, Saving the
African American Child, co-authored with the late icon Dr. Barbara A.
Sizemore and other members of the National Alliance of Black School Educators,
Dr. Hilliard insisted that academic and cultural excellence were inseparable
companions. The complete education of children of African descent demanded
both.
"Dr. Hilliard insisted that academic and cultural
excellence were inseparable companions."
He stated that the block to academic and cultural excellence
is the legacy of racism and the belief in white supremacy and superiority and
its concomitant imputation of Black inferiority.
He wrote:
"We can
never forget or permit others to forget that our present level of development
as a people is due to long-standing racist and exploitive practices and the
absence of justice.
"We are
entitled to more than an equal opportunity to compete with those whose
privileged status has been won at our expense, giving them an unfair head start
in all competition. Justice demands fairness, compensation and retribution."
The history of African people in the United States has
witnessed few who have been so truthful and so wise.
Dr. Hilliard's homegoing was an historic outpouring of love
from thousands who attended the two-day tribute at the Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College. There were other Africanist
scholars, educators, students, clergy, admirers, family, friends and community.
They came from many parts of the US and the world. There were Ashanti Chief
rites, drummers, dancers, an outstanding choir, magnificent solos and brilliant
oratory.
The tallest tree had fallen and not many heard it. Most
Americans, most people of African descent, will never know how much he
influenced several generations of teachers, administrators and governing boards,
will not be aware of the powerful influence he had on other educators and upon
the education of children of African descent. But the thousands who came to
Atlanta for the two-day homecoming of this giant knew him, the hundreds who
signed the online guest book knew him, and those who had been privileged to
attend conferences or workshops, read his books or see his videos knew and
adored Asa Grant Hilliard III.
Dr. Hilliard brought study groups to Ghana and Egypt for
thirty years. He made his transition in Cairo while leading his annual study
tour to Kemet. It was a place he loved dearly. He was a founding member of the
Association for the Study of Classical African Civilizations. Many say it was
appropriate that his last words were spoken at Kemet.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Honorable Patsy Jo
Hilliard, former mayor of East Point, Georgia, his children Asa Grant Hilliard
IV, Robi D. Hillard Herron, Dr. M. Patricia E. Hilliard-Nunn and M. Hakim
Hilliard, Esq.
Asa was my great friend, and it was my honor to speak at his
service. Dr. Asa Grant Hilliard III will be deeply missed. One can only hope
his example and inspiration will convince others to have the vision and the
courage to carry on his monumental work.
Donald H. Smith, Ph.D. is
Associate Provost and Professor (Emeritus) at Baruch College, the City
University of New York. He can be contacted at Dohugh@aol.com.
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