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Page Two 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!