Melvin Burke was one of my Economics professors, back at State U. I took Marxist Theory from him, and thoroughly enjoyed it. He was a great teacher, with an infectious enthusiasm that fired in me a desire to delve deeply into the material - despite the fact that I wasn't inclined then to subscribe to the belief. He made me think about first premises, and consequently had a deep influence on my intellectual growth. He also showed by his example that you don't have to agree with everything or everyone to have a respect for people's opinions and arguments. I don't think you could say anything more complementary of a professor.
Mel Burke passed away on August 30. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He was a man of deeply held beliefs, will be sadly missed.
Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want rain without thunder & lightning. They want the ocean without the roar of its many waters.
- Frederick Douglas
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