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PAGE TWO
CLARK PANTHER, MARCH 31, 1950
WHO AT C LARK KILLED
COCk ROBI N ?
Who Killed Chivalry?
* We, the younger generation are incessantly accused of
being less chivalrous as gentlemen than our fathers. Signifi
cantly, the accusation is most often made by the older gen
eration, and nearly always by older women. Of course, much
of this can be overlooked and charged to the human tendency
to reminisce of the “good, old days.” What I mean is that
ten or twenty years hence, many of the old folks then will
enjoy talking of the good old 1940’s (as rugged and infla
tion-cursed as they actually were). And all this is perfectly
normal. Psychologists have noted on sound experiences more
than they do the unpleasant.
Even admitting this factor of relativity, however, we
are all aware that it does not extend infinitely. Trying to
analogize that far is one of those “reductio ad absurdum”
propositions that is applicable only in plane geometry. Even
Pythagoras would not have submitted to mental calisthenics
of that order.
When they speak of chivalry in the good old days, how
ever, the old folks are right! In fact they are so right that
it is a shame! Chivalry is not dead, but it is so near death
that one wonders if there is a chance for recovery. But who
did it? Who killed chivalry? I say, the women did. And the
tragedy is that they are killing what is left of it every day.
It is tragic because these observations were made on college
campuses, where the entire community is supposedly at least
of average intelligence and should indeed be superior cul
turally.
This writer believes that he is qualified to criticize, since
he has been personally affected. When I came to college
a few years ago, I would have rathered drop dead than see
a co-ed scuffle at a closed door ... Unless we were well
acquainted, I never spoke without tipping my hat or bowing.
I soon discovered that I was almost a “show,” and- then I
blamed the other fellows. But upon closer observation I
saw why. The .little girl who breezed by, trampling my toes
in the meantime, after I had opened the door for her; the
sophomore lady who spilled her change over fifty square
feet, but said not a word after I had successfully garnered
it; the senior lady who claimed that I was flirting when
I operated the drinking fountain for her before I drank—
all those were reasons. They were typical of the group that
commit “chivalrycide.” The above few incidents cannot be
offered as conclusive evidence, it is true; but how about
the many other fellows who have had similar experiences?
This writer frankly believes that by far the greater re
sponsibility for the dying estate of chivalry today is the
women’s. Let us remember that this whole business is like
a bilateral contract. If there are no “Sir Walter Raleigh’s,”
then it is because there are no “Queens.” But some may ask,
“Does it matter?” To this group I will readily admit they
have a point and good ground for attack. After all, in our
fast moving era, even the commonest courtesies are viewed
merely as ideologies; and why not? Words like “hello,”
“thank you,” and “you’re welcome” have lost their original
significance. Even so, however, I assure you that some things
do matter, and they always will. To my poor judgement,
knowing how to accept a courtesy is more important in
graceful living than any number of cultural concerts. Cer
tainly it is more practical than learning when to applaud
in unison when an artist performs, or whether to wear a
$25 chapeau or a $5 hat when a baritone is the featured
artist. Yes, we need both the cart and the horse if we must
travel; but we will make better time if we place the horse
before the cart rather than in the reverse order.
To Take Exams Over
If I could take my exams over
I feel that I could explain my
problems better. Because—I have
learned to answer as many ques
tions as possible during the given
time, not concentrating on any one
problem too long.
I would review my class notes,
reports and previous examinations
and quiz’s to be sure that I do not
make the same mistakes again.
If I could take my exams over
after receiving the papers and the
marks given by the instructors
through concentrating on those
points, I feel that I should make
a much better grade than I did
before.
If we were given our exams over
for the above reasons as a review,
more than anything else it might
act as an aid in remembering those
pertinent points.
Examinations are given for sev
eral reasons: to see what one has
learned; to see how much was ac
complishing during previous teach
ings; and as a review of processes.
This Thing Called
Prejudice
By
JESSE GIBSON
EDITOR’S NOTE: Mr. Jesse Gibson, our new News Editor, is
serving in the capacity of Guest Editor from the Journalism Depart
ment. This will be a regular feature of the PANTHER
This problem of prejudice cannot be understood nor dealt
with unless we understand that it is a phase of a larger in
terracial system. In other words, white and colored, Jew and
Gentile, Catholic and Protestant, union workman and em
ployer, must be studied in their inter-relations. Prejudice
will never be understood if we merely attacked one side or
the other of this complicated and emotion-arousing subject.
In American history during pre-revolutionary times,
slavery was accepted and practiced throughout the American
colonies. A few decades after the founding of the U. S., it
disappeared in the north, but the expansion of the cotton
and tobacco plantation system in the south gave great im
petus there.
These reasons would also act as
a plan in the next few weeks of
discussion which might clarify the
statements on the examination.
Maybe I would or wouldn’t make
an “A” but it would be in me to
make more on the second examina
tion than on the first, if not for any
other reason.
I summarizing I have tried to
emphasize only two points. Review
ing processes and concentration on
certain points; and learning what
was not clearly understood.
—Rose Ward.
Fellows, Give Us a
Relations of the races did not lead to difficulty. Social
distance was clearly defined. There was security for the
slave. The question of tolerance did not arise since it was
not necessary in the system. There was no competition, no
conflict of interest between the races—but accomodation
were in terms of slavery patterns. Loyalty was not only
given to the master but to the white race. The Civil War,
fought for political as well as economic differences, resulted
in many changes. The reconstruction days brought humilia
tion of the formerly proud southerners, while the Negro was
filled with fantasies of abilities which he did not possess.
The roots of conflict, aggression, and prejudice are found
in the manner in which the individual’s basic and primary
motives or drives are blocked, qualified, directed, and later
used by culturally acquired responses. For example, it is
wellknown that conflict between whites and blacks in the
south has been kept alive partly by the growing economic
competition of lower whites and Negroes. The former have
continually taken fro mthe Negro, as occupations, those which
were formerly considered fit only for colored folk.
Break
By JOSEPH EBERHARDT
In talking with many of the
women students about the campus,
a familiar question asked is: “Why
don’t the fellows give us girls who
go with Morehouse men a break?”
They go on to state that Clark
men won’t give them a chance to
go with them, so why should they
“kick” when someone from across
the street thinks enough of them
to take up some of their social
time. They know that they are re
ferred to as “Clark College Wom
en,” while the Spelman “chicks”
are referred to as “Spelman Col
lege ladies.” But they must have
companionship even at the price of
second class.
To hear the “women” talk, they
are most loyal “Clarkies” for they
always want the team to win so
that they can have something to
brag about to the boy friend—and
especially when Clark wins from
Morehouse, for then she can have
something on the “Big Man.”
In answer to this question, “How
can the fellows give Clark women
a break?” the girls will give a
short laugh and say “tell them to
stop making cracks when they see
us with the “Big Man.” Please
tell them to stop running the “Big
Men” off the campus even if we
are going to play Morehouse the
next day, for if Clark wins we won’t
see our “lovers” for weeks. They
will go over to Spelman to get
their pride healed and forget to
come over here afterwards.”
I have tried to convince some
women that the fellows were only
acting partly out of fun and partly
to protect them. But as some wise
man said a long time ago: “A lady
convinced against her will is of
the same opinion still.”
Associated with the white southerner’s fear that the Ne
gro will but strip him economically is his strong feeling
about white womanhood. In this matter rich and poor among
southern whites join hands in their fear of the Negro. The
idea of pure womanhood carried great emotional fright with
most Americans, and particularly with southerners. The ter
rific taboo against the sexual approach of a Negro to a white
woman doubtless sometimes constitute a powerful sugges
tion to the Negro.
The social problems that stem from prejudice can be
somewhat alleviated but prejudice itself can never be elimi
nated. Man is prejudiced. We can understand that if there
were no such things as a difference in color or if everyone
were the same color and of the same religious faith we would
still have prejudice. The boys in the dormitories often have
battles between the floors, one would prefer green rather
than brown, the male prefers his mate shorter in statue
than he, just as the female prefers her mate taller than she.
It is wjien our prejudices affect others that we are mostly
concerned. The social problem that is a result of prejudice
must be handled coolly and intelligently in order for them
to be alleviated if not eliminated.
The Clark Panther
A Journal of College Life Published from September to June
By the Students of Clark College, Atlanta, Georgia
A promoter of school spirit by encouraging projects and efforts
among student groups and individual students.
A medium through which an opportunity is provided for students
to obtain experience in newsgathering, reporting, book-reviewing, edi
torial, and creative writing. '
An instrument for fostering friendly and constructive criticism
of campus activities.
DAVID CHARLES COLLINGTON
Editor-in-Chief
0
HULEY B. DODSON JESSE GIBSON
Associate-Editor News-Editor
i 1
Daughtry Thomas Feature
Fred White Art
Harry Atkins Sports
Lillian Graves Fashion
JTvonne Abel Society
David Stanley Poet
Alfred Wyatt Circulation
Fred Ross Advertising
lulius Conway Photographer
REPORTERS: Lorenzo Jones, Delores Arnold, Juanita Taylor, James
Woodard, Rose Ward, Marie Young and Yvonne Abel.
This piece is written in all sincerity—not for humor. I So ’ in behalf of a11 youn* women
am Sure all my gentlemen readers with any degree of valor who have Morehouse boy friends, I
will rally to help save my face if we got too “close to home.” extend this plea to all Clark Men:
—HENRY COOPER “Give them a break!!!”
TYPISTS: Lois Richardson, Annie Burts, Ruth Paradise, Kathryn Shan-
nell, Rueben Dawkins, Hazel McGill, and Alverta Bryant
Helen Thomas and Marion Brown Staff Secretaries
ADVISORS: J. F. Summersette, Darwin T. Turner, Franklin S. Jones.