Yesterday, D.C. Council Member Vincent B. Orange (D) proposed honoring Marion Barry’s legacy by converting the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) into a tuition-free institution and renaming the school after Barry. Orange is an avid supporter of improving UDC and has much respect for Barry’s contributions to the city.
Marion Shepilov Barry Jr. was elected mayor of the District of Columbia four times and served as a council member in the nation’s capital for 15 years. Prior to this time, Barry distinguished himself as a civil rights activist, participating in sit-ins and working as chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).
Highlights in Barry’s career include delivering the presidential nomination speech for candidate Jesse Jackson at the 1984 Democratic National Convention and making his political comeback as a member of council in 2004 after being convicted of smoking crack cocaine in an undercover sting with the FBI and District Police in 1990.
For years Barry symbolized African American leadership and was known as a gem to the District community.
Though university officials say they have not been in official conversation regarding Orange’s proposal, his suggestions are timely following Obama’s America’s College Promise pitch, a plan for a free community college program.
Before any action is taken, a commission needs to be formed, especially because of what Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) calls ‘premature’ regarding Orange’s proposal.
UDC is the only public higher education institution in the District of Columbia and the school’s situation leaves much to be desired.
