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CLARK PANTHER, DECEMBER 21, 1953, ATLANTA, GEORGIA
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.
Ernest M. Pharr, Editor-in-Chief
Glendora Patterson, Associate Editor
Elridge W. McMillan, Assistant Editor
J. F. Summersette, Advisor
W. T. Robie, Advisor
Walter Willis, Jr Religious Editor
Anne Reida McKoy, Bertha Gholston,) Reporters
Alfred Dockett, Eileen Jonas )
Kwamena Dougan
Betty Jean Snype Literary Editor
Samuel Rosser, Harold Wardlaw, Robert Daniels. Circulation Managers
Virginia Wilson, Yvonne Southall Staff Typists
Willie F. Kelsey, Betty Green, Ida Baugh Copy Readers
E. M. Pharr. Make-up
E. W. McMillan Exchange Editor
Yvonne Southall ,:.... Secretary to Editor
Member of Intercollegiate Press (IP)
Ernest M. Pharr
A Grave Matter
I was standing on the corner of a downtown street waiting for a
bus to journey back to the westside after being in the downtown sec
tion for some reason that I fail to recall now. The rain was literally
coming down in buckets and people were crowding for the inside of
the sidewalks to gain the protection of store awnings, etc. For some
reason (and a good one) my mind was not on the downpour nor the
hustle and bustle of the crowd of Christmas shoppers who seemed to
be bursting at the seams with pre-Yuletide spirit. It was the early
part of the week when the lawyers of the National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People were presenting their side of the red-
hot segregation argument against those who believe in the so-called
“separate-but-equal” school facilities. Certainly, it was the proper time
for fighting the milling crowd of gift-seekers because Santa would very
soon pack up for his annual flight from the North Pole to bring vol
umes of Christmas cheer, but it was also the time when another Santa
was fighting for an even bigger gift—one which, in all manner of fair
play, justice and human equality, should have been given long ago.
• This Santa to whom I have reference is none other than the
NAACP and the hundreds of lowyers who act as its helpers. The gift
is ,thqt. of, the right to attain an education anywhere in the United
States (particularly in the South) without the foul of discrimination
substituting for fair play in the game. The recipient: The members of
the heavily laden, overburdened and oppressed Negro race. Yes, the
rain was really coming down. It seemed as if the heavens had suddenly
opened their saturated eyes and dropped many tears of mercy for these
people who were fighting to be recognized as human beings and not
merely Negroes. Amidst the pitter-patter of the rain, I watched the
faces of the people who passed me—looking for some indication as to
whether or not they were thinking the same as I. Some were gay,
others slightly melancholy, frowning, cursing the rain, the buses for
being late and many other expressions except the one I was looking
for. My mission had failed. I believe I wanted to see that expression
for the sake of consolation—realizing that someone was thinking of the
matter, even if not on my side of the goal. I wondered if they thought
that the segregation cases before the court had a great bearing on
them—that they may have to change from something that has been
discriminatingly traditional—that their children may one day be at
tending integrated schools—that some of these students may have to
answer to a Negro teacher or receive his assignments and do his class-
work with a Negro child. Maybe the lack of expression regarding the
cases was due to Georgia’s proposed Talmadge plan which would
account for some measure of relief among the whites, and maybe the
Negroes were not interested in the cases due to speculation of a furor
that might arise and turn into a bloody battle. Whatever it was, I
could find no one to think with me (from the expression on his face)
at this time. However, it’s A GRAVE MATTER!
Actually, there were five school cases which came from South
Carolina, Virginia, Delaware, Kansas and Washington, D. C. Techni
cally, any ruling would concern these five states. However, a ruling in
the positive for us would form the firm foothold we have been looking
for—paving the way for complete disintegration of segregation. The
Supreme Court has been placed in a hectic position. They have heard
the issues from both sides; the talks have ceased in the Court. Now
they must weigh the issue and be careful in doing so lest they teeter
and totter from their perch. The decision isn’t expected for many more
weeks and even then, a possible year’s time and maybe more, will have
to be allowed for time to set the machinery in operation. It is a matter
in which we need to have more people who can weigh the facts un-
biasedly, who can be expected to do what is right for an oppressed
people. It is a time in which we must disregard the words of Talmadge,
his cohorts and other “prophets of doom.” It is an issue in which we
must all meet the matter head-on with the thought “one nation, indi
visible, with liberty and justice for all” reigning supreme in our minds.
Whichever way the decision may fall, there will still be a need
for members of both races to perpetuate what goodwill there has been
in order to lower the barriers of segregation, some of which have fallen
and rotted in recent years. It is a type of inhuman justice which is
surely destined for the graveyard. It has lived too long, hurt too many
people, denied civil rights and the Devil is surely waiting for its black
and evil soul to burn in his furnace.
We feel a great degree of thankfulness to those of other races
who have taken our side. We know what they are going through when
they are reprimanded for doing so and' it gives us all something in
(Continued on paige four)
Kwamena Dougan
I Will Never Go There Again!
It is very disgusting and disheartening to a stranger to meet the
sternest reproach and insults from his new associates or friends. I first
landed in New Orleans when coming to America. It was a fact that I
had heal'd something about segregation in the South, yet I did not
have the faintest idea of how it was being practiced. I happened to be
rather an unfortunate man when, one day, I boarded a bus for my desti
nation.
On entering the bus, I saw some white people sitting in the front
section. Some Negroes passed by me and went to the back seats. As I
did not know anything about the segregation in the public buses, I sat
by the side of a white man. The man was tall and bony, with two big
shining eyes.
Soon after taking my seat, he stood up, got hold of the collar of my
shirt and tried to pull me out of my seat. I thought, at first, that he
was only playing; but he was in real earnest! “How dare you, a black
n r, to sit by a white man!” ho argued. My face became pale and
for a time I did not know what to say or how to act. I wanted to give
him an “African blow” which would have knocked him off his feet, but
I was afraid. I was afraid because I thought he carried a pistol in his
pocket. I summoned all my courage, and in a language which appeared
quite queer and unfamiliar to him, I argued out my point. But, he was
stubborn and unyielding. He clung tenaciously to the idea that the white
man is always superior to the black man and that the law knows nor
favors strangers.
In the heat of an argument and in the struggle for the rights of
man, I looked around to see the reaction on the faces of my fellow
black people. Anger and defiance were in the face and eyes of them all.
I guess, if not because of the law, the man would have been torn to
pieces. At long last, I was persuaded to leave my seat.
After that incident, I became very unhappy. How can a person live
in a city which is divided against itself? I have, therefore, developed
a bitter hatred for the white race and their doctrine of segregation. I
feel strongly that such an inhuman practice should be abolished from
the face of the earth. I am, therefore, determined to fight it out when
ever the occasion arises. I am also more than ever determined never to
go there again!
Is Our Sense of Values Distorted?
Last year the theme of Religious Emphasis Week was “Seeking
Life’s Highest Values.” I thought about this a great deal and won
dered if the cart had not been put before the horse. This thought
occurred to me when I realized that many people had not determined
what life’s highest values were and fewer still had a clear conception
of the term.
Values, like any other phenomenon, may be changed frequently as
seen in the stages of the development of civilization. For example,
during the Medieval era, emphasis was placed on Religion. The Renais
sance had learning as its highest value. Freedom from want and earn
ing a living were foremost in the minds of the colonists.
Four values appear to me now to be most important. They are
intellectual competence and efficiency, religious sincerity, moral integ
rity, and cultural security.
As in the Renaissance, intellectual competence and efficiency are
regarded as our highest and most honored value. The belief that the
more intelligent persons are capable of leadership is expressed by the
majority of the people. The responsibility of thinking through and
arriving at solutions to the many problems of our day is given to the
intellectuals. It, therefore, behooves us to become as intelligent and
efficient as possible lest we find ourselves in the background while
others do our thinking for us.
In a complex society such as ours, one value seems insufficient for
wholesome and fruitful living. The development of a sincerity with
regard to religion seems imperative to me. That a person be completely
sure about a religious faith is not particularly necessary. We should
have some definite concept, however, of religious beliefs. With consid
eration for the large role that religion plays in the world today, it
appears to me that a person who is straightforward in his thinking
cannot ignore its power. Our religious concepts may be quite instru
mental in determining other values. Do we think of religion as a refuge
in time of need or is it an undergirding power we are aware of day
by day?
Whether or not one professes a religious belief is for his own judg
ment, but one writer has said “Millions testify to knowing God and
His power which is working through the universe. Is it intelligent of
seorners to refute the testimony of the wisest men of the ages . . .?”
We may ask ourselves this same question.
in order to play fair at all tim:is and to have a sound basias on
which to stand, we need to have (and develop if we do not have) a
sense of moral integrity. A conscientious knowledge of the fairest way
to associate with others in all phases of activity whether it be in the
classroom or in business, or in daily association, seems to me a must.
Sayings like, “Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto
You” and “To Thine Own Self Be True” contain in essence the thought
I wish to convey. If our sense of moral integrity is distorted, we may
trample the feelings of others without an awareness of the harm we do.
This value should be such an integral and dynamic part of the self that
it presses irresistibly for release in conduct.
If we have a clear conception of intellectual competence and effi
ciency, religious sincerity and moral integrity, we should consider the
fourth value—cultural security, which seems to depend on the former
three values to a great extent. Cultural security is concerned with the
broadening of the individual within the culture. An awareness of social
interests and social ideals play an important part in this development.
The ollege motto, “Culture for Service,” is symbolic of this value.
Flexible men and women who are broadminded and prepared to meet
the changes of our times are in great demand in a time like this. Does
your sense of values allow you to accept the challenge ?
(Continued on page four)
A College Student
Prays . . .
By Walter Willis, Jr.
Our Father, we Thy weak, dis
pirited and war-weary people
anxiously awaits the coming of “The
Christ” into our world and into
our hearts again this Christmas,
1953. Through the inky blackness
of our times may the Star of
Bethlehem still shine. Open our
blind eyes that we may see through
this darkness and behold that Star
of Hope and Faith. Open our ears
made deaf by the great shouting oi
battle cries, that we may hear
again the refrain, “Peace on Earth,
Goodwill to all men.”
Like the Shepherds of old, lead
us from our vain labors and en
deavors to the path of love, de
votion and sacrifice.
We would not envy those wise
men with their gifts, of Myrrh
Frankincense and Gold, for we
have many gifts more precious
than those. We have our hands,
our ieet and our tongue to be
used in service for Thy Son.
We pray, Our Father, that wc
may not become so enveloped this
year in buying and receiving of
gifts to the point that we fail to
realize the real meaning and sig
nificance of Cfciistmas. In the spirit
of Christ we pray. AMEN.
A LETTER OF THANKS
4509 Carnegie Ave., #18
Cleveland, Ohio
December 11, 1953
Dear Mr. Pharr ,
1 am writing to you in behalf of
my family and myself to thank
the “Clark Family,” including the
faculty, students, the team and
you, for the wonderful hospitality
that was extended to us during
our brief visit for such a memora
ble occasion as “Robert Phillips
Day.”
I am sure that Bob would be
proud of the sportsmanship and
the teamwork that the Clark
Panthers displayed in a victorious
game.
Again, thanks for making the
family of Robert Phillips forever
grateful.
Sincerely yours,
Carolyn Phillips
BELLS AND BUZZES
By Carolynne Taylor and Mamie
Toland
Bells to loyal Clarkites who gave
the team their fullest support
whether they were winning or los
ing. Buzzes to those who never
showed any enthusiasm at all.
Bells to those who are cultured
enough to show respect to College
Hour speakers. Buzzes to those
who study for the next hour class.
Bells to the football boys who
followed rules and regulations of
training through the entire season.
Buzzes to those who insist upon
breaking even a few.
Bells to the non-resident stu
dents who patronize our College
Snack Bar. Buzzes to those who
prefer to support other places.
Bells to all students who had the
initiative to pass the mid-term
exams and are doing the same for
the coming finals. Buzzes to those
who were neglected and
who were negligent and disre
garded their responsibility.
Bells to those who are thought
ful enough to help keep the cam
pus and corridors clean. Buzzes to
those who continually clutter the
campus, corridors, etc.
JOIN THE FIGHT FOR TU
BERCULOSIS — BUY XMAS
SEALS!