Tureaud: history, progress cumulative

 
A.P. Tureaud Jr. discussed his experiences working to integrate Louisiana State University and the efforts of his father, A.P. Tureaud Sr. as a civil rights attorney at the Chancellor’s Master Class series.
Tureaud Jr. engaged students in dialogue concerning standing on the shoulders of others and the cumulative effort of contributing to history and society.
“History is a cumulative thing, progress is a cumulative thing. I wouldn’t have been able to do what I did unless others were prepared for the legal battles and challenges. I didn’t do this by myself, I had other people working with me to do it. You just build from one another. It’s cumulative,” Tureaud Jr. said.
Co-author of ‘A More noble cause,’ the story of A.P. Tureaud Sr.; Rachel Emanuel, Southern University Law Center director of communication and development support reflected on the lecture.
“I think it was great and I really enjoyed the engagement of the students and what they questioned Tureaud about and even the faculty member’s input. He had a lot to share and I know he said a lot but, you never know what’s on the minds of the people in the audience so, it was good to hear that feedback,” Emanuel said.
Chancellor Llorens reflected on the story of A.P. Tureaud Sr. told by A.P. Tureaud, Jr. and the ‘historical perspective’ behind the lecture and in advances made from both the father and sons efforts.
“The lecture was excellent. I was impressed with what he went through and how he presents that experience to the students and how he presents the long range impact of what he did and more importantly the perspective he brings to what his father did for the State of Louisiana,” Llorens said.
Marlin Hollins a senior business management and marketing major from Jackson, La. Was inspired and informed by the lecture.
“To be the first African-American at an all white institution, when prestigious HBCUs were available at his tangible reach. He story was inspirational because even today African-American males are scared to make that step, they feel they have to go to HBCUs because they don’t have the exposure,” Hollins said.
Hollins mentioned Tureaud Jr. paved the way for other African Americans to follow, continuing the theme of cumulative effort of the prosperity of society.
“Students can see it’s a part of history and how things have changed. Hopefully they can understand what contributions they can make to continue the work that I benefited from and we are all a part the continuation of human development and civilization,” Tureaud Jr. said.
​He emphasized how students can continue this development and the role of universities and their students to contribute.
“It’s an ongoing activity. As university students they will carry on the story to others. Throughout their work, exposure to people in their jobs, social life, and in their role as leaders. That’s why we are at universities to be leaders in small and large ways. You are the future,” Tureaud Jr. said.
Emanuel discussed that challenges are still present and how important it is for generations to do their part in ‘running their race.’
“You may not be a lawyer but, you can support a movement in numerous ways. It is always another generation that can hand over the torch, run their race and pass it on to the next generation. We all stand on the shoulders of others, that’s all a part of making life better for everybody,” Emanuel said.
Llorens addressed the importance of exposure in the lecture series and the future of the series.
“It’s important that students get exposure to folks from all walks of life that have accomplished things and to talk about the experiences it benefits the student population. We look for people with fresh, youthful perspective to what our students will encounter when you get into society after they graduate reaching across all aspects; music, literature, art and music and the political world,” Llorens said.
This lecture is the beginning of the Chancellor’s Master Class series.