The latest issue of TCU Magazine provides a springboard for meaningful conversations and inspiration for action toward reconciliation and unity.
“There are several stories in this issue that tackle the historical roots of oppression by focusing on people in the here and now who are coming up with creative and ambitious ways to make the world a safer and more equitable place for everyone to not just survive, but to thrive,” said Caroline Collier, editor.
The cover story began as an article for Endeavors, TCU’s research magazine, on Assistant Professor of Dance Adam W. McKinney’s multifaceted racial reconciliation project intended to honor Fred Rouse, a Black person lynched in Fort Worth in 1921.
“Professor McKinney’s work is compelling and very important,” Collier said. “If even 100 people around the country were trying this hard to excavate and address these gaping historical injustices, we’d be living in a much-improved society. As difficult as it is, we do need to look back before we can move forward.”
Last July, Collier reached out to Brandon Kitchin — who wrote about civil rights history in Fort Worth for TCU 360 as an undergrad — to pen a piece about McKinney’s arts-based projects steeped in historical research.
“Brandon put his whole entire heart into the story,” Collier said. “I’m so proud and impressed with how he went about this work. He shares my reverence for the written word and belief that what we create should be meaningful and enduring.”
Kitchin describes the magazine cover story as equal parts devastating and inspiring, which may be what makes it both powerful and beautiful.
Although he grew up near Fort Worth and wrote about social justice issues while working for TCU student media, Kitchin had not heard Rouse’s story before.
“That isn’t surprising considering the way tragic events throughout history against communities of color are buried,” Kitchin said. “There were many times throughout the writing process where I had to step away for a while because it was taking such an emotional toll on me as I continued my research or played back my interviews. However, I found strength in knowing I had been given this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and responsibility to tell this story from the counter-narrative perspective, which centralizes professor Adam W. McKinney’s restorative work, as well as Mr. Fred Rouse’s grandson, who still suffers trauma, despite the event being almost a century ago come this December,” he continued.
“Whether you’re pro-social justice, or whether you believe there is no need to acknowledge uglier parts of history because the past is the past, I hope this story touches your heart and provides proof that as humans we cannot heal simply by forgetting. As you read and reflect on this story, please draw connections between what happened then to what’s happening to Black people today,” Kitchin said.
“A special ‘thank you’ to Brandon Kitchin and Caroline Collier who met the story with care and nuance,” McKinney said. “The result is a robust article that extends well beyond historical research. It is an article that reminds us of our social responsibility to not make the same mistakes of the past. We owe a debt of gratitude to the Rouse families. I only hope that, with this article, we, as a community, are bringing about justice for Mr. Fred Rouse.”
To join the conversation, participate in a series of upcoming virtual panels centered on the cover story about McKinney’s expansive work. The first of these will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 2, and will explore the impact of philanthropy on both health and equity.
Other stories to look for in the summer 2021 issue:
Existential anxiety: As the community begins emerging from COVID-19 restrictions, this well-timed story explores the widespread existential anxiety that accompanies living through a pandemic. “I don’t think there’s anyone who went through the experience of last year who didn’t contemplate their own mortality,” Collier said. Research by Cathy Cox, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology and director of graduate studies, delves into how people make symbolic buffer systems against the fact that they will one day die — protective systems that were disrupted and dismantled by COVID-19.
Red Bird Reimagined: Former TCU football player Terrence Maiden ’00, a commercial real estate developer, is heading up an extensive redevelopment to transform Red Bird Mall in Southern Dallas into a mixed-use community space with health care facilities, dining establishments, apartments, offices and an outdoor community gathering space. “There are only a handful of malls in the U.S. that have been reimagined in such an ambitious way,” Collier said.
Theatre TCU ADAPT: Launched last fall, the ADAPT — academics, design, application, performance and technology — Projects encouraged students to continuing sharpening their skills during the pandemic by developing their own multimedia works, which were shared virtually. “It gave them some great experience to learn every aspect of theatre production while pushing boundaries, being creative and doing something that’s never been done before,” Collier said.
Boise boy: Clint Robertson ’92 makes up half of Boise Boys, a HGTV house-flipping show airing its third season this year. “Clint loved his time at TCU and has deep values about how one should integrate their business with their life,” Collier said. “The story is more about his heart than his houses.”
Frog foodie: Gabrielle McBay ’14 was enjoying a brisk business as a private chef and caterer when the COVID-19 pandemic brought her spatulas to a screeching halt. At home in quarantine, she wrote her second cookbook — You Have Food at Home — in just 10 days and launched it on Instagram. McBay is now working on her third cookbook, a reflection on how food has helped her through chaos, love and solitude. She shares lessons learned about cooking and life.
LGBTQ+ advocate: A decorated combat pilot, Todd Weiler ’87 served in both the Clinton and Obama administrations, where his many accomplishments included shoring up the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program, creating a 401(k)-type retirement program for military service members, implementing protections for transgender kids in Department of Defense schools and launching a new transgender service policy. In 2020, Weiler published his first book — Untamed Equality: The New Frontier of Safety, Security and Inclusion.