A great loss

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A Great Loss: The Passing of Dr. Asa Grant Hilliard III (1933-2007)

 
by BAR contributing editor Donald H. Smith, Ph.D
Wednesday, 12 September 2007

Video tribute to Dr. Asa Hilliard:http://www.meeproductions.com/psa/videos/HilliardTribute.html

There are times when a truly exemplary person dwells among us. Such was the case with Dr. Asa Grant Hilliard III, who fought on so many levels for excellence and equality for the African Diaspora - itself a global phenomenon that is the product of horrific aggression and exploitation, but gave birth to many distinct and magnificent cultures. Yet the fountain of humanity springs forth and renews itself, in the fragile but vital form of human beings who seek rebirth: like Asa Hilliard, who was honored by thousands at his funeral in Atlanta. A great friend of his, the author, honors the passing, "or homecoming," of an African American treasure.

 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 StateUniversity 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 hisvideos 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 AfricanCivilizations. 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..