Lesson Plan

I was researching information about the School of Education when I stumbled upon this article (“Teaching’s Diversity Problem,” Winter–Spring 2018). As a black male myself I thought, “Hey, this article talks about people like me.” Learning about the discussion around and issues with black male influence in public schooling was an eye-opener.

When I planned to go into education, and for as long as I can remember living in an urban neighborhood, I knew there wouldn’t be many people of my physical characteristics going into teaching; yet I never took into account what it really means to have these problems occur among people who look like me. I always looked at all my teachers the same, no matter who they were. If I’m to be honest, I was slightly ignorant because I always looked at teachers for the quality of their work, as opposed to what they looked like. After reading this article, I gained a new nervousness I haven’t felt in a while about the realities of someone like me teaching outside of my home city’s bubble. Maybe the personal connection this article has to me is what really stuck, but ultimately Brett McLean’s eloquent description is something I intend to take with me as I take the next big step into my dream.

Rudy Joseph
Elizabeth, N.J.

Both Sides of the Picture

We look forward to each and every issue of Bostonia. Not only does Bostonia provide us with great articles about our beloved BU, but it often highlights the impressive work of alumni. This is the case with the Winter–Spring 2018 issue, which tipped us off to the remarkable work of yet another alum, Pete Souza (COM’76) (“Portrait of a President”). The article is magnificent. I want Pete to know that I was in tears thumbing through the pages as I waited on line to pay for this book. We will treasure this book always and thank Pete for his intimate portrait of President Obama.

“Long ago, it must be/I have a photograph/Preserve your memories/They’re all that’s left you.”—Simon and Garfunkel, “Bookends.”

Barbara Strauss Neuerman (CAS’71) and Marc Alan Neuerman (Questrom’71)
Marietta, Ga.

Due process of law is a constitutional guarantee that prevents governments from impacting citizens in an abusive way. In its modern form, due process includes both procedural standards that courts must uphold in order to protect people’s personal liberty and a range of liberty interests that statutes and regulations must not infringe. It traces its origins to Chapter 39 of King John’s Magna Carta. The Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution guarantee that no person shall “be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.”

In the article, Souza states [about the Situation Room photo]: “This is an important moment in our nation’s history.” We as a nation sent military personnel into a foreign country without permission. Instead of arresting Osama bin Laden and having him appear before an international court for his crimes, we simply executed him. Is this the definition of a democracy? How is this an important moment? It denigrates everything that our nation stands for.

We have moved from due process to rendition and on to conducting assassinations—look at our drone campaign. I don’t think this is the type of story that an academic institution should use to attract alumni donations. We should be highly critical of these actions and the story itself.

Carlo Petruzziello (Questrom’86,’01)
Carlisle, Mass.

Thank you for the wonderful portrait of BU alum Pete Souza. The pictures brought back many wonderful memories. What I missed on first viewing, however, which became clear after looking at the photos more closely, is how nuanced and insightful the pictures are into Obama’s character and personality. That is the mark of a truly gifted photographer. As a COM graduate myself, I can honestly say that Souza is among our most talented graduates.

Jane Berryman (COM’84, CAS’84)
Philadelphia, Pa.

Kudos for Bostonia

Congratulations on a beautiful, fascinating, well-rounded, fabulous Winter–Spring 2018 issue. As an author, a newspaper columnist, and a happy graduate of the Class of 1961, I am so proud of your staff! This took me days to read, and it is wonderful. I cut out articles and sent them to friends. Thank you!

Bonnie Kogos (CAS’61)
New York, N.Y.

I always delight in receiving my Bostonia magazine in the mail, and read it cover to cover. On more than one occasion, I have referred back to an article in a past issue that had some bearing on a conversation with family, friends, or colleagues. (Most recently, I shared the past and recent articles about Edward Damiano’s bionic pancreas research with a friend whose 10-year-old son is facing a new diabetes diagnosis.)

Cindy Wian (SED’01)
Schuylerville, N.Y.