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t v f Volume 56 - Issue 11 Dick Gregory reflects on civil rights and social change M. &u 1 I I # j HHHL4W \ F')- £ f y i* :>f- ‘s J ,/ 4HL X '■,.! . -;- :;;J f * IT-** n /sAVAA*!/:: mm IjpflHßHß** ' '•j Photo by Josh Grubb As part of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Distinguished Lecture Series, Nationally famed comedian, author, and civil rights activist Dick Gregory spoke to a crowded gym in the Campus Center last Thursday. Big Night set for April sth UVVG Press Release The University of West Georgia will host its Centennial Big Night 2007 on Thursday, April 5, at 7 p.m. in the Townsend Center for the Performing Arts. A reception and exhibit will follow the event in the atrium of the Technology-enhanced Learning Center (TLC). Big Night 2007 is celebrating its ninth year highlighting UWG undergraduate research in the field of fine arts, business, education, humanities, the sciences and social sciences. Students work with faculty advisors on research projects for several months or longer and are chosen by an interdisciplinary panel of judges. A cash prize of $250 is awarded to each student presenting at Big Night. The Association of Research and Creative Humanities, a UWG interdisciplinary student organization, will sponsor the reception and exhibits in the TLC following the presentations at the Townsend Center. Dr. Andrew Leavitt, associate vice president for Development and Alumni Relations and professor See Big page 7 t„,West Georgian Gregory's lecture inspirational By Melinda Bellemare Staff Writer Mbellem I @ my.westga .edit The crowd was anxious with excitement as they awaited the beginning of the lecture on Wednesday night. It’s not often West Georgia has the privilege of hosting such a distinguished guest as Mr. Richard Gregory. Gregory, a civil rights activist, known for working closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., delivered a message of urgency and inspiration. “What a messy life we left you young folks,” he said. “Think how easy it is? Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had never done nothin’ in his life and in 1956 they brought him into the movement. He was assassinated in 1968. He did all that in 12 years,” Gregory explained. “I was right there with him and sometimes I don't believe it.” Although his speech was humorous it had serious overtones and left a powerful impression on the students and community. SSSSbhSb '!w H ...f- L m H 'IB 808 , - .' j Photo by Josh Grubb After the lecture, Mr. Dick Gregory was presented with a portrait by the group Black Men With Initiative (BMWI). In News Sfi Goo Goo Dolls warm-up act announced. WWW. I HEWESTGEORGIAN.C OM By IVacy Ammons Staff Writer tammonsl@my.westgai’du “What a messy job we left for you young folks,” Mr. Dick Gregory said to a crowded gymnasium. “Some of you will rise to the occasion; the rest of you will live a horrible, insane life. Some of your minds have been so messed up—black and white—that you'll never be able to change it.” The lecture hx>k place in the Campus Center Gym, Thursday night, March 26, as part of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Distinguished Lecture Series, presented by the UWG Center for African-American Male Research, Success and Leadership. Gregory is the author of 15 fxxiks, his most popular being his biography entitled “Nigger", which has sold over seven million copies. "1 feel it was very enlightening," freshman student Asia Andrews remarked, “He opened my eyes to a lot of things 1 didn’t see, I didn't notice.” It has only been 45 years since segregation in the United States and Gregory urges the youth of today to finish the fight that his generation began. He joked about everything from Viagra, to Osama Bin Laden. Gregory was contacted to get comments about 9/11 and his thoughts about the U.S. still looking for Bin Laden. “They said: “Mr. Gregory how do you feel about us still looking for Bin Laden?” “We? I’m not lookin' for him. I’m still tryin’ to find my daddy!” he said. The crowd cheered with laughter; Gregory spoke candidly about rape, violence, capital punishment, child abuse, liver disease —the list goes on. Along with his career as a writer, activist, and comedian, many are surprised to find that Gregory is also an accomplished recording artist with 7 albums In Entertainment ;ffl Hff s’f Black Christmas DVD reviewed. He worked with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the fight for civil rights, and was a popular comedian during the sixties with his clever use of racial satire. In 1968 he ran as a write-in presidential candidate for the Freedom and Peace party. He is also a recording artist, a television and film personality, and a nutritionist. But one thing that underlines all his various roles is that he is a man of nonviolent social change. His message explained his experiences in the civil rights movement with Dr. King, and enlightened students on the effects the movement has had on society. "I think about how easy it is to believe that Dr. King had never been in a civil rights movement in his life...” Gregory said, “...in 1956 they brought him into the movement w ith no experience; 1968 In Sports Fab Five wins UWG Final Four tournament. he was assassinated.” He added with a jolt of excitement, “...as close as I was to him, I still can't believe he did all that in just 12 years!” He continued to rave about Dr. King as his voice heightened. “...most of you don't know what he did because in a white, racist, sexist, insane system, they have never told you who this man and who this movement really was— and most of you black folks don’t even know.” Gregory told students about his role in the movement. "For 12 years, 1 was there. I don't have to be validated. 1 was there in Mississippi running through the bushes, not knowing if I'd live or die, knowing when I left my house I might not see my wife and family again, but I went anyway.” He w ent on to explain how the movement brought change. “Tonight and an established nutritionist. In 1951. Hugh Heifner invited Gregory to perform at the Playboy Club, making Gregory the first black comedian to grace its stage. In opposition to the political turmoil in the United States Gregory ran for the presidential election as a write in candidate for the Freedom and Peace Party in 1968. He won some 1.5 million votes, and helped propel Richard Nixon into office over his Republican opponent Hubert Humphrey. In 2001 he was diagnosed with cancer. Refusing to treat himself with chemotherapy, Gregory is on a strict diet of exercise and vitamins and is 85% cancer free today. At 75 year old Gregory is the member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Inc. fraternity, and he and his lovely wife, Lil, have shared 42 years together and raised 10 children. He has written two autobiographies, the first titled: “Nigger”, and his most recent so Civil Rights page 2 In Opinion EH Darfur needs your help. WEDNESDAY, AI'RII. 4. 2007 as I stand here, a black man heads the Mississippi state tnxtpers. With no guns, that change was made. With no bitterness, no meanness on our part, tonight a black woman heads social services in the state of Mississippi. Mississippi has more black elected officials than any state in America.” Not only has the movement brought change for African Americans, but it has changed women as well. “This movement, in 12 years, civil rights legislation came through and saved everybody, because of us. The civil rights legislation didn't save negros only,” Gregory said. “Forty-five years ago, a white woman in America couldn’t fly a commercial airline. Forty-five years ago, a w hite woman in America couldn’t be a mechanic at See Gregory page 7 El 1 Photo courtesy Facehook .com Student receives prestigious graduate scholarship By Miranda Byrd Staff Writer mirandajhyrd@ yahoo rom For the average person who has lived and studied in Carrollton, Geoigia his whole life, moving “across the pond" may come as quite an adjustment. Logan Leslie is far from the average person. His extensive undergraduate research, coupled w ith a 4.0 GPA, the distinction as a Goldwater scholar and a number of extracurricular activities including the All-USA College Academic Team'ssecond team, awarded Leslie the prestigious Gates Cambridge scholarship. The Gates Cambridge scholarship requires that the recipient have a high GPA and that he or she graduate with honors from a university, along with acceptance into Cambridge. The scholarship covers the See leSlte page 3