Tallahassee—Social media delivered a one-two punch to new Florida A&M University President Marva Johnson last week. A university posted her visit to the annual Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce retreat at Amelia Island. It was met with scathing criticism and mockery. The former lobbyist was chastised about her dress, hair, mission, and racial identity. “ That part! Cause all who have the same skin, damn sure ain’t kin!” said Montez Langford Ashley on the Facebook post. Johnson suffered the ultimate insult, challenging her Blackness.
The post was riddled with warnings about comments being deleted or blocked, which was a consequence in a previous inaugural video that was overwhelmingly negative. In that instance, the university took down the negative posts and then blocked them altogether. That triggered a question by USA Today Network reporter Stephany Matat, who wrote: “Soon after the historically Black university posted a 5-minute video message from the new leader on its Facebook and Instagram pages, comments flooded in, many with scathing remarks from critics. But those comments were limited or are now gone, wiped from the internet by the school. To be sure, Johnson has been a lightning rod for criticism, seen by many in the FAMU community as a political ally put in place by Gov. Ron DeSantis as part of his program to take control of and remake the state’s public higher education system under a conservative vision.”
The question is, was the deletion of negative comments a violation of the First Amendment right to free speech? The right to dissent or protest? Marva Johnson is now a public figure, a public servant, and a confirmed appointee of the State of Florida. She is subject to criticism. In this case, it is unprecedented. It is also very telling that she has been unable to garner support from public officials and community leaders, which is highly unusual. And her ability to win over other influencers has failed so far.
Suspicion has cropped up because both Johnson and her COO, Kelvin Lawson, are loyalists to the same political leaders who put her in power, have attempted to silence critics, and beat back civil rights gains. The right to protest has been key in that progress, and FAMU students were on the front line at every phase. Until Marva Johnson appreciates that legacy, this could be a tough climb to reach the famed Highest of Seven Hills.
