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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.