Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

2 LU CO ISSUES INSIDE MOREHOUSE, OCTOBER 2012 Inside Morehouse is about the people who make up the Morehouse College community. To tell those stories, WE NEED YOU to send us your ideas, comments and thoughts, along with your news, information about your new books or publications and your commentary for sections like My Word. To send us your information, contact Inside Morehouse Editor Add Seymour Jr. at aseymour@morehouse.edu For up-to-the minute information about the College, go to www.morehouse.edu or visit Morehouse on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Tumblr. ^ www.morehouse.edu I YouflED MOREHOUSE Director of Public Relations Toni O’Neal Mosley tmosley@morehouse.edu Executive Editor Vickie G. Hampton vhampton@morehouse.edu Editor Add Seymour Jr. aseymour@morehouse.edu Calendar Editor Julie Pinkney Tongue jtongue@morehouse.edu Photographers Philip McCullom Add Seymour Jr. Graphic Design Glennon Design Group Web Services Kara Walker LaDonna Johnson Contributing Writers Christian Saint-Vil Jillian Westfall Administrative Assistant Minnie L. Jackson Inside Morehouse is published monthly during the academic year by Morehouse College, Office of Communications. Opinions expressed in Inside Morehouse are those of the authors, not necessarily of the College. ‘Who Was Chosen to Shift the Legacy of Their Family?’ MY WORD Given the opportunities in your own life, how can each of you serve as a role model for others who face cultural or economic challenges? By Rubina F. Malik I n my classes and walking across campus, I have noticed the increasing number of international students here at Morehouse. It makes my heart joyful and makes me wonder - what is their story and who was chosen to shift the legacy of their family? It was the early 1970s, in the midst of ever-present turmoil in her country, a mother was standing at the end of a dirt road, teary-eyed, yet her heart was full of love and hope. She was helping her son escape the volatile surroundings for a better life. The widowed mother, who had no formal education herself, knew the power of education. She had sold all her gold and most of her land to educate her son by sending him to the United States for a better life. She wept feverishly, knowing that she may never see him again and that he did not know a soul outside of his world of mud villages in a small farming town north of Pakistan’s capital. But this woman envisioned an enhanced world of academia where war and turmoil would not be a factor for her son and her grandchildren. This dedicated and courageous woman was my grandmother. 1 am proud to be a daughter of a Pakistani immigrant. And even though I have the same hopes and dreams as those around me, most of my life I have been asked, ‘How does it feel to be South Asian in America?’ I realize that the question originates from exposure to media, for I am stereotyped as the “smart” South-Asian or a home-bound wife rather than the goal- oriented woman of color who is single by choice, very active in the community and committed to bettering herself and those around her. I am often perplexed on how to answer them. Today I share my answer. It comes from my grandmother sending her eldest son to pursue higher education and overcoming obstacles for a better life. She was determined to change the legacy of her family. It took courage. Courage is also known as bravery, fortitude, will and is the ability to confront fear, pain, risk/danger, uncertainty or intimidation. When broken down, to me it stands for: Commitment, Opportunities, Understanding, Responsibility, Actions, Greatness and Excellence. I leave you with a charge. Given the opportunities in your own life, how can each of you serve as a role model for others who face cultural or economic challenges? How can you create an environment of supporting success for those around you? Lastly, how will you display and model courage in your own life and leave your legacy? The world a waits you. ■ Rubina F. Malik is a marketing and management instructor and director of the Executive Mentorship Program. President Robert M. Franklin 75 gave his final Opening Convocation address on Sept. 20 at the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel to a standing ovation and to cheers. Here are some excerpts of his speech: “Will you do your part this academic year to keep that argument alive? One hundred forty-six years ago, our ancestors started an argument about Morehouse as a center for renaissance and renewal and rebirth for people who had been a proud and independent people... They started an argument in 1867 and successive generations have kept it alive. ” “ Gentlemen, we are doing something no other school in America is doing. At a time when many high school districts are graduating half or fewer out of the 10 young men that enroll, Morehouse is admitting the best and brightest, admitting high performers with high promise, and some diamonds in the rough, bringing them together to challenge and transform one another. A unique brother hood emerges from that context.” “This is the international headquarters of black male achievement. So we are addressing our challenges and will come forth stronger and wiser than ever before.” “ There is a role for every one of the 11,000 alumni who love their college. Now is the time to stand up and become an active recruiter for your college. Now is the time to step forth, write your check and help create a better future.” “It is your privilege now to become involved.” “God was surrounded by chaos. ..It was the deity’s responsibility to speak to the chaos. Chaos wanted to remain in the darkness. But darkness and ignorance are the workshop of chaos. But God spoke to the chaos, and said ‘Let there be light!’ ” X To view other speeches by President Franklin or some of the editorials and statements he's made during his tenure, go to http://www.morehouse.edu/about/ presidentfranklin/speeches.html.