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Umar Johnson

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Umar Johnson
Johnson in 2016
Born
Jermaine Shoemake

(1974-08-21) August 21, 1974 (age 49)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
EducationScotland School for Veterans Children
Alma materMillersville University of Pennsylvania (BA&Sc)
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (Psy.D.)
Occupations

Umar Rashad Ibn Abdullah-Johnson (born Jermaine Shoemake; August 21, 1974) is an American motivational speaker,[1] psychologist,[1] activist,[2] and social media personality[3] who focuses on Pan-Africanism.[4][5]

Early life and education

His stepmother, Bernice Elizabeth Dockins Abdullah-Johnson, was a preschool teacher and his father had his name changed.[6]

Johnson attended the Duckery and Meade Elementary Schools in his native North Philadelphia community. Afterwards, he attended the former Beeber Junior High School where he was enrolled in an academically gifted program called Start Now. After graduating from Beeber in 1988, Johnson's father had him enrolled at the Scotland School for Veterans' Children and graduated in June 1992. Later that year Johnson enrolled in Millersville University of Pennsylvania where he graduated in 1997 with two Bachelors of Arts and Science degrees in psychology and political science.[7] In 2012, he graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine as a Doctor of Psychology.[8]

Career

Johnson (far left) in 2015.

Book and documentary appearance

In 2011, he was featured on The Untold History of People of Aboriginal, Moor, and African Descent, directed by Tariq Nasheed.[9] In 2013, Johnson published Psycho-Academic Holocaust: The Special Education & ADHD Wars Against Black Boys, a book in which he contended that ADHD was increasingly misdiagnosed in the Black community and that the education system used ADHD to stigmatize black children.[10][11] In a 2017 video clip, Johnson asserted that "ADHD does not exist. Neither does the learning disability."[2]

School project

In June 2014, Johnson said he would raise $5 million to buy the former campus of Saint Paul's College in Lawrenceville, Virginia, which had closed down in 2013 due to financial struggles, and rename it to Frederick Douglass Marcus Garvey Academy, which he said would be a boarding school for Black boys.[12][13] He claimed to have sufficient funds to buy the Saint Paul's site in 2014, but did not do so.[14] In 2015, Johnson claimed that he would open the school the following year.[14]

Charing Ball, writing in the online magazine MadameNoire, discouraged donations for the project, citing Johnson's "homophobic and misogynistic" commentary in YouTube videos.[15] In 2015, he opened a GoFundMe to raise money to "acquire and rehabilitate" either the former Saint Paul's or at Chamberlain-Hunt Academy in Port Gibson, Mississippi.[7] In 2017, The Root criticized Johnson for failing to providing financial documentation demonstrating whether he actually used any of the funds for the school.[7] Although Johnson claimed to have applied for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit status in 2015, there was no record of an application with the IRS as of 2017.[7] In 2019, a Root commentator criticized Johnson for never providing a business plan, obtaining a license, publishing receipts, or taking other steps toward construction of the school, despite Johnson's claim in 2017 Johnson to have raised $400,000[14] or $700,000 for the school.[7] In April 2021, Johnson stated that the school had completed construction but was not ready for classes.[16]

Social media commentary, activism, and controversies

As a social media figure, Johnson amassed a following of 789,000 on Instagram and more than 163,000 on Twitter as of 2021.[3] His commentary is pan-Africanist (which Johnson renders as "Pan-Afrikanist"), and he has called for Black Americans to identify with the African people globally rather than with individual religions, nationalities, professions, and fraternal organizations.[3] He referred to himself on his website as the "prince of Pan-Africanism."[17]

Johnson has repeatedly claimed to have a familial connection with Frederick Douglass, often claiming to be a "direct descendant" of the 19th-century abolitionist and civil rights leader.[7][17] The Douglass family released a statement saying that "We can tell you with 100% certainty that he [Johnson] is not a descendant of Frederick Douglass."[7]

In December 2017, Johnson was ordered to attend a hearing before the Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology the following month.[18][19] He faced charges of engaging in the practice of psychology without a license.[20] Johnson denied that he had claimed to be a practicing licensed psychologist, and the Board did not strip him of a license.[21][22]

In social media postings, Johnson has criticized interracial marriage, opposed same-sex marriage, and promoted various conspiracy theories.[3] In January 2020, after the death of Kobe Bryant, Johnson falsely suggested that the helicopter was sabotaged as part of an assassination attempt ordered by the National Basketball Association and the pharmaceutical industry.[23][24][25] In May 2021, Johnson criticized Kevin Samuels saying that he was "slandering and criticizing Black women who don’t emulate Eurocentric standards of beauty and success."[26][27] In September 2021, he hosted an Instagram Live where he married two women.[28]

In speech and social media posts, Johnson has promoted misinformation, including a viral Instagram post falsely claiming that Bill Gates sought for "at least 3 billion people" to die as part of a population control scheme.[29] Johnson has also baselessly accused the Population Council and Planned Parenthood of "using homosexuality as a population control strategy in the black community."[15][17] In contrast to mainstream psychology, he has referred to homosexuality as a mental disorder and claimed to be able to "treat" it.[17] In a 2021 speech at Lehigh University, Johnson criticized former President Barack Obama, claiming that his administration "gave my civil rights over to the LGBTQ, ... the feminist movement, ... the Mexicans."[3] In various speeches, Johnson also criticized President Joe Biden, contending that he had not done enough to protect Black people from police violence.[30][31][32]

Many people have criticized Johnson, including commentators in the magazines The Root (whose commentators have mocked Johnson as a "hotep")[14][33][7] and TheGrio.[34] South African commentator Khanya Mtshali, writing in a 2022 op-ed in the South African newspaper Mail & Guardian, likened Johnson to Louis Farrakhan and said that both men "trafficked in a goofy performance of pan-Africanism."[35] Anwar Curtis, an opinion contributor to PennLive, defended Johnson, describing him in a 2017 op-ed as a "noted conservative and Afro-centric thinker" and "dedicated ... vessel for his people."[36]

In April 2017, Johnson founded the National Independent Black Parent Association in Leimert Park, Los Angeles.[37]

References

  1. ^ a b Ali Swenson, Clip of Fox host is altered to add motivational speaker, Associated Press (August 30, 2022).
  2. ^ a b Ellie Borst. "ADHD was not invented to disadvantage Black children and increase pharmaceutical sales". PolitiFact. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e Eli Mundy and Isabella Insingo, Dr. Umar Johnson speaks about critical race theory at Lehigh, The Brown & White (Lehigh University) (November 18, 2021).
  4. ^ Owens, Cassie (January 2, 2018). "Popular speaker Umar Johnson faces fines over lack of psychology license". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
  5. ^ Dungca, Nicole (January 15, 2014). "Psychologist who calls homosexuality a mental illness to speak at Jefferson High as part of diversity initiative". The Oregonian.
  6. ^ "Obituary: Abdullah-Johnson". Philadelphia Daily News. March 1, 2018 [March 17, 1995].
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h Harriot, Michael (July 11, 2017). "We Fact-Checked Umar Johnson's Hotep Tantrum With Roland Martin Because Someone Had To". The Root.
  8. ^ Harriot, Michael (July 18, 2017). "I Was Wrong. His Name Is Doctor Umar Johnson". The Root.
  9. ^ Butler, Andreas (December 23, 2016). "'The Prince of Pan- Afrikanism'". Florida Courier.
  10. ^ "'Prince of Pan-Africanism' Dr. Umar to lecture here". Indianapolis Recorder. January 30, 2015.
  11. ^ "ADHD Wars Against Black Boys: Dr. Umar Johnson Details How To Combat Misdiagnosis Of The Learning Disorder". NewsOne. April 16, 2015.
  12. ^ Clark, Kevin L. (June 18, 2014). "EDUCATOR LAUNCHES INITIATIVE TO FUND ALL-BLACK BOYS ACADEMY". Black Enterprise.
  13. ^ Watson, Jamal (June 5, 2014). "Activist Umar Johnson Attempting to Buy St. Paul's College". Diverse.
  14. ^ a b c d Michael Harriot, Umar Johnson Doesn't Announce Location of His Academy of (Con) Arts and Sciences ... Again, The Root (January 2, 2019).
  15. ^ a b Ball, Charing (June 24, 2014). "It's Not A Good Idea To Support Dr. Umar Johnson's All-Black Boys Academy". MadameNoire.
  16. ^ Henry, Carma (April 29, 2021). "Dr. Umar Johnson Gives 'Bittersweet' Update on His School For Black Boys". The Westside Gazette.
  17. ^ a b c d Jeremy M. Lazarus, VSU shuts down appearance by controversial psychologist, Richmond Free Press (November 18, 2016).
  18. ^ Kenney, Tanasia (December 22, 2017). "Dr. Umar Johnson Ordered to Stand Trial, Accuses State of Trying to Strip His 'Psychology Credentials'". Atlanta Black Star.
  19. ^ "Dr. Umar Johnson Under Investigation Over His Psychology License". NewsOne. December 26, 2017.
  20. ^ Muhammad, Michael Z. (January 17, 2018). "The crucifixion of Umar Johnson?". The Final Call.
  21. ^ Harriot, Michael (January 8, 2018). "A Firsthand Account of the Legal Hearing, Support Rally, Church Service—and Attack—of Umar Johnson". The Root.
  22. ^ Newhouse, Sam (January 8, 2018). "Dr. Umar declares victory after hearing over license". Metro.
  23. ^ Shaw, A.R. (January 31, 2020). "Psychologist Umar Johnson says Kobe Bryant was assassinated by NBA, big pharma". Rolling Out.
  24. ^ MaGee, Ny (January 31, 2020). "Dr. Umar Johnson Links Kobe Bryant's Death to Big Pharma Conspiracy". EURweb.
  25. ^ S., Lynn (January 29, 2020). "Dr. Umar Johnson Under Fire For Outrageous Kobe Bryant Death Conspiracy Theory". HotNewHipHop.
  26. ^ Clark, Kevin L. (May 6, 2021). "The Woketep/YouTubian Wars Begin As Dr. Umar Johnson Calls Out Kevin Samuels". Essence.
  27. ^ Wells, Veronica (May 6, 2021). "Dr. Umar Johnson Is Right About Kevin Samuels Making Money Off Making Black Women Feel Bad". MadameNoire.
  28. ^ Thornton, Cedric (September 16, 2021). "PAN AFRICAN DR. UMAR JOHNSON 'MARRIES' 2 WOMEN IN CEREMONY SHOWN ON INSTAGRAM LIVE". Black Enterprise.
  29. ^ Daniel Funke, Bill Gates didn't say '3 billion people need to die' to reverse climate change, Politifact (January 27, 2021).
  30. ^ Gunn, Tamantha (April 26, 2021). "Dr. Umar criticizes President Biden for not doing more to help Black people". Revolt.
  31. ^ Savaga, Niara (April 28, 2021). "'Black Elected Officials Sitting There Quiet': Dr. Umar Johnson Demands Black Leaders Hold Biden Accountable to Help Protect Black People from Police Violence". Atlanta Black Star.
  32. ^ "OPINION: DR. JOHNSON'S QUESTIONABLE POLITICAL AWARENESS; BLACK VOTES MATTERS". The Black Wall Street Times. January 6, 2020.
  33. ^ Harriot, Michael (July 5, 2017). "Everything You Wanted to Know About the Umar Johnson Memes but Were Afraid to Ask". The Root.
  34. ^ "Why Black platforms must stop uplifting Umar Johnson". TheGrio. July 13, 2017.
  35. ^ Khanya Mtshali, The age of podcasters as thought leaders is upon us, (October 6, 2022).
  36. ^ Curtis, Anwar (January 17, 2018). "What's really behind the attacks on popular speaker and black activist Umar Johnson?". The Patriot-News.
  37. ^ Buck, Kimberlee (July 20, 2017). "Building Stronger Black Children through NIBPA". Los Angeles Sentinel.
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