What would Malcolm X do? Black SC legislators threatened by USC Gamecock fans over warnings of racism

USCLogo The debate over the election of one seat on the 22-seat University of South Carolina Board of Trustees has reached a new level in the Moody versus Hyatt debate.

Desperate USC fans have reportedly been contacting and threatening African-American legislators who may or may not have contacted potential USC recruits warning them that USC is a racially biased institution and to consider other schools. The allegations of racism stem from the selection of one member of the USC Board of Trustees currently held by Leah Moody. Moody is the only minority on the Board. She was appointed by Governor Mark Sanford in 2009 after the previous member left early. However, members of the legislature, who appoint Board members for the public institution, are leaning toward Alton Hyatt, a white pharmacist from Rock Hill, SC to replace her. If Hyatt were selected, the USC Board of Trustees would be all white. It would also be the only Board of Trusees in the SEC without a minority member.

Hyatt stated that he would bring diversity to the board as the only pharmacist.

The Board is supposed to represent different geographic regions of the South Carolina. While race is not usually a factor in geography, the fact is that African-Americans make up about 30 percent of the South Carolina population. Moody, as the only minority on the Board, makes the racial diversity on the board just over 4 percent versus 96 percent white.

White legislators in favor of Hyatt say they are simply voting for the person they think is best for the job. This person just happens to be white.

According to reports, it seems that Hyatt has the support of enough legislators to take the seat from Moody.

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