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This semester, the UNC Charlotte community has been joined by artist-in-residence to the Department of Africana Studies, T.J. Reddy. During the semester, Reddy has taught the 2000-level course “Hip-Hop and Rap,” as well as given two public lectures, an exhibit of his work, and led a workshop on art and education for faculty and staff.
As UNCC’s first artist-in-residence, Reddy was selected by the University specifically to develop his art further and create new projects. “I don’t live here,” Reddy did want to clarify in an interview with the University Times. “What I do is be involved in the art emphasis on education through the Africana Department.”
All his life, Reddy has wanted to be an artist. “I’m a happy camper, doing what I love to do,” he said.
His work is mostly focused around diaspora, the diffusion of cultural history throughout the global sphere. “Which is another way of saying where the African influence is around the world,” Reddy said. In short, Reddy has been an educator to his students, artist to the University, and ambassador to the surrounding community on behalf of the Africana Department. Recently, Reddy donated one of his paintings to the Harris Alumni Center.
Reddy has been a part of UNCC since 1968, when he was an undergrad student in the History Department. He received his BA in History in 1974 and his MED in curriculum and instruction at the College of Human Development and Learning – now called the College of Education. He is one of the original founders of the Black Student Union on campus, as well as one of the individuals whose work led to the development of the African American Studies Center – now titled the Afro-American Studies department.
According to Reddy, he was a part of the activist movement whose actions led to the addition of African-American faculty, classes, and student organizations. In 1968 he was a part of a team of 24 students who took over the chancellor’s office and held an overnight sit-in, with 10 demands focusing around the increase of a black presence on campus.
The next day, Bonnie Cone, the then-Director of Student Affairs, came in and negotiated with the activist. Reddy said Cone would go on to be responsible for his fellowship with the University and a mentor to him in later years.
“She was my friend,” Reddy said. At Cone’s funeral Reddy was escorted to sit with the family during the service. “She didn’t forget me, even in death.”
After all these years, Reddy has remained in Charlotte mainly because “it’s no worse than any other place,” he said. Reddy was born in Georgia in 1945 and spent his teenage years in New York. Then in 1964 he moved to Charlotte. “At times, you could not distinguish between New York and South Carolina,” Reddy said, in reference to segregation. All of his life, Reddy has been aware and exposed to the policies of “separate but equal.” But he also recalls the influence of the Civil Rights Movements. “Black students took control … and became a moving force,” Reddy said. He personally became involved because he felt UNCC could be a place to make changes for the lives of people in North Carolina.
“I met some of the most influential people in my life [at UNCC].” This list of people included Reginald Hawkins of the NAACP and, of course, Bonnie Cone. In short, the reason Reddy stayed was because of the people here who became his friends. UNC Charlotte was a place that had friendship – to use Reddy’s words. “Plus, New York is too cold,” he said. “I don’t like the cold.”
In no way has Reddy had an easy life. “I do not have exclusivity on artists’ lives being difficult.” Facing issues of race and a lack of understanding and value for his work, Reddy still continues to develop his diaspora art.
Reddy has always known his efforts would make a difference and change the world. “That’s called being a visionary,” he said. Today he sees his efforts realized in the upgraded and improved lives of black people in the campus and Charlotte communities.
“Seeing so many African-American students involved in so many areas of interests … is the most gratifying occurrence I can think of,” Reddy said. “It ranks up there as one of the best things I’ve ever done.”
One of Reddy’s philosophies is that change is the only thing that stays the same. Because of that, he is always moving on with new projects and new forms of media to express his vision in. Currently, he has published two books of poetry, painted murals, plays the African thumb piano and mentors others.
To all the people in the world, Reddy has one piece of advice – “We’re here to care, primarily. That’s out primary purpose.”
He doesn’t expect people to do as he does or act like him in any way, but still feels the need to express himself through teaching, writing, and performing music. The next thing on Reddy’s agenda is to “keep breathing, and keep open.”
2 comments
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