Legacy Calls Us

  This past Friday, (09/12/25), I had the pleasure of interviewing the new CCSU Dean of Education, Dr. John Barile on my radio show Readman: Truth to Power 103.5 FM New Haven. He is (to my knowledge) the first dean at Central to openly challenge this idea that top down mandates/high states testing improve learning. John writes, in his recently released book Leading From The Core, how these top down reforms have harmed teachers, students, and school morale.

In a few weeks time we plan to meet up again, this time my plan is to share (with the newest dean), Central Connecticut State University's most esteemed graduate of 1853 Ebenezer Don Carlos Bassett; the first Black graduate of any Connecticut College. At that time, down in New Haven at Yale University, they did admit their first Black student, who was not permitted speak in the classroom, or participate in any classroom discussions. And he could not graduate. Similarly, here at Trinity College in Hartford, the first black student could attend classes, but he could not register, or graduate. And yes, here in New Britain at Central Connecticut State University, Bassett was given full status, and equal rights as any other student. Bassett graduated head of his class. Later he then went on to become one of the most significant Black American historic figures of the 19th Century. Bassett was one of the most innovative educators of his time. He was America’s first Black diplomat, known as the Hero of Hispaniola. He was a major leader of recruiting Black soldiers into the Union Army.

The new dean at Central, Dean Barile, is rooted in personal narratives. He is a bottom up visionary builder, and just like me... has a love of history. My plan, when we meet in October (as a proud member of the original Bassett Community) is to share with John what I see as the benefit of stronger connections between the Bassett Legacy and The School Eduction at large. My ultimate goal is to ensure that Ebenezer Don Carlos Bassett has a place in that new vision Dr. Barile is building. Legacy is easily lost in an era where Black History is being buried. The members of the Basset Community will not go gentle in that night. Read about the legacy of Don Carlos Bassett > https://afsa.org/ebenezer-bassett-legacy-americas-first-african-american-diplomat?fbclid=IwY2xjawMz5hVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHpaWQLKfGsQEShX0rvYgOwItPvyrVAc4ckOW1aR_4-lYid407w49Nr99wm2e_aem_UTx7JIg4rWx5uwIL60Lykg  

Christopher Teal, Author of "The Hero of Hispaniola" & Brayan Anderson Great Grand Nephew of Ebenezer Bassett. 

Picture of the Bassett Community on the end of their 10 year battle to name a university building at Central Connecticut State University, (Bassett Alumni) 

If you like to listen to the tune that inspired my morning walk today it is One Last Time from Hamilton > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPgDZBADR3Y <

I am a Professor Emeritus retired and active member of the Basett Community determine to help preserve the Legacy of Ebenezer Don Carlos Bassett, 

Jesse's Basic Radio Info

 

Email me if you have a topic or want to be a quest on my show > turnerj@ccsu.edu <

If you are wondering what tune inspired my morning walk it Buck Owens "Act Naturally" > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__SMDtF_DsY&list=RD__SMDtF_DsY&start_radio=1 <

My Labor Day Resistance Thoughts

August 8, 1963 The March On Washington 

My Labor Day 2025 Resistance Thoughts 

A clown ~ who wishes to be a king, occupies the People’s House at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. 
This 'would be' bully king threatens any who question his attempts to be king. 
His followers... willing to undo 250 years of hard earned Civil Rights. 
For them, just like him ~ winning is everything.  
Win at all costs! that's his mantra. 

He forgets ~ God sees all.  

He occupies the airways and social media 24/7. 
He salivates in his self proclaimed I am above the law tweets. 
The United States Supreme Court playing Calvin-ball ~ stamps & seals his every dream.  

ICE, wearing masked Proud Boy uniforms, run a war on immigrants.  
In broad daylight ~ at workplaces, schools, churches, shopping malls, 
they have no search warrants, they drive unmarked vehicles and wear no ID, 

This clown wants armed troops in the cities that dare to question him. 
He is preparing for the day he refuses to leave office, 
He is Fascism rising in America.  
Our Silence and Apathy ~ are his path to becoming king.  

He forgets... we've rejected kings since 1776 
He forgets... "the people" can speak out, assemble, and have the ballot.  
He forgets... American Folk Music stands in his way.  
He is too busy dancing on the stage to YMCA  

He doesn't hear people singing the old songs... 
~ Woody Guthrie,
~ Pete Seeger,
~ Bob Dylan,
~ Joan Baez,
~ Paul Robeson,
~ Trini Lopez,
~ The Staple Singers,
~ Joni Mitchell,
~ Judy Collins,
~ Emmylou Harris, and my Momma’s favorite Peter, Paul, and Mary.  

American Folk Music sings "Resistance 24/7" 
I fortify my soul, listening to these old songs 
Building Resistance.  
Inspired and emboldened by the songs my Momma sang.  

Know this, Mr. Trump
You cannot stop the songs, the singing. 
Our songs carry us into the streets, 

And on Election Day As MC Hammer sings, “You Can’t Touch This”.   

When Peter, Paul and Mary’s  "If I had a Hammer"  hit the Top 10 on AM, 
Momma couldn't help ~ but get up, sing, move.  
I am my mothers only son, 
She taught me ~ no one is above the law! 
Everyone deserves justice. 
Freedom belongs to one and all, 

And, this music is the People’s Resistance.  

I can see the old kitchen table, 
I can hear Momma saying "up Little Jess,  Move, Sing" 
Come dance with me.  

“Well, I got a hammer, and I got a bell 
I've got a song to sing all over this land 
It's the hammer of justice, it's the bell of freedom 
It's a song about love between my brothers and my sisters 
All over this land 
It's the hammer of justice 
It's the bell of freedom 
It's a song about love between my brothers and my sisters 
All over this land”  

So, Mr. Wanna Be King, 
You can’t touch the people’s resistance

See you at the polls November 2026.  

Still singing and dancing with Momma, 
Dr. Jesse P. Turner  
Professor Emeritus Central Connecticut State University. 
Radio Host 103.5 FM Readman: Truth to Power Hour. 

You don't even have to ask which song inspired my walk this morning, it is Peter, Paul and Mary's cover of 'If I had a Hammer" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKgm9ARmOMM 

Momma and I in the kitchen of our resistance