Newspaper Page Text
February, 1964
THE PANTHER
Page 3
George Smith, S G A President
A Discussion On
Collegiate Student
Goverment Work
Student participation in college government is a rel
atively recent development in the U. S., and possibly
for this reason, there is general disagreement as to
what it entails, precisely. It would seem, for example,
that believing as we do in the efficiency of the demo
cratic process, we should quickly see the values in pre
paring students as early as possible for their inevitable
and vital responsibilities as democratic citizens. We
presumably should recognize that offering responsible
functions to students would have the effect of hasten
ing their maturation and their sensitivity to civic par
ticipation.
A glance at actual practice in American higher ed
ucation, however, reveals quite a different situation al
most paradoxical in its significance. College administra
tion, in the midsts of their declarations of eagerness to
give youth a proper sphere of campus activity, all too
frequently interpret this “proper sphere” as are far re
moved from the serious and vital campus issues. Fur
thermore, they are all too prone to show in their own
administrative actions a disregard for the democratic
process that cannot help but shake the faith of students
who observe or are subject to them. Such maneuverings
do not pass unnoticed by the student body, and if our
students toward cynicism and apathy as a result, ad
ministrations have only themselves to blame.
It is, of course, the better part of discretion to put
the student leaders out to pasture in some remote c'or-
ner of the instituational ranch where, with adequate
fencing, they can graze peacefully and get fat and doc
ile. They will then always be proporely different, will be
grateful for any little attentions tendered them, and
will never ask embarrassing or challenging questions.
They will graduate with the same sheeplike acceptance
of direction that they brought with them as freshmen.
They will also make no contribution to their own growth
or that of the campus except to advance the state of at
rophy in themselves and their institutions.
Colleges with this approach can always be recogniz
ed: they boast of the ever and efficient thor of the cam
pus way, and carefully eliminate the mavericks. They
champion the “well-adjusted” and socially competent
product whose major claim to recognition is that he has
not been troublesome. Obviously the involvement of stu
dents in campus administration is an additional and
sometimes annoying burden for the permanent faculty
and staff. It is not easy to share certain areas of author
ity with students when the process may double the
amount of time necessary to resolve the problems pre
sented. Similarly, it is not easy to stand by patiently and
allow a certain amount of trial and error to take place
when earlier experiences have long since indicated the
right path to follow. But the educational rewards are
too great to be ignored: the added dimension of student
participation is too valuable to be shunted aside. Most
important of all, one cannot champion one of the most
important ingredients of democraev such as creative
leadership without offering students practical opportun
ities to develop such an attribute.
What Is A Negro ?
Appearing in the April 1953 edition of “Ebony” is an article
which states, “In America, where the so-called lazy, ignorant,
happy-go-lucky black people are fighting for better jobs, suing
to get into more colleges, and demanding a bigger voice in their
government, it is not surprising that many are asking just what
is a Negro?
The “Ebony” editorial goes on to give varied definitions of
what a Negro is according to these definitions, and then goes on
to state what a Negro is not. It points out that the Negro is not
black, for no race or group of people can demonstrate a wider
range of colors. They further state a Negro is not a religion, poli
tical party or language. Then what is a Negro? “Ebony” states
that the Negro is the most American-American—that he has, with
his bare hands, and bent back done more than any other single
nationality group to develop America’s land and her vast re
sources. The editorial further states that the greatest success
story the world has ever known is the Negro’s trek up from slav
ery. It concludes: “In birth, customs, habits, and contributions to
his country, the Negro is an American. Only in his participation
in the things that America has to offer, does he fall short because
of Jim Crow bars.”
This editorial, for its proximity, makes for interesting reading
and gives us much to think about. If our so-called “superiors”
would realize this, give it much thought and do something about
it, the Negro’s many qualities would be recognized much more
as an “equal.”
The problem of segregation in Washington, D. C., is being
pondered. Whether for or against, we don’t know. Surely, in the
nation’s capital—the capital which preaches democracy to other
nations—segregation should be abolished. Washington should be
a “Utopia.” All over these 48 states, the Negro is asserting him
self, pleading and fighting for his rights, and taking more insults
than any group of people has ever known.
In Act III, Scene I of Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice,”
Shylock, a Jew, has been tormented by Antonio, a Christian. In re
taliation, Shylock speaks to one of his friends of what a Jew is.
This retaliation can show very well the feelings of a Negro. In 1
News
From The
Greeks
Sigmas Feature
Benjamin Brown
by Johnnie Downs
Howard University Senior
Law Student, Benjamin Brown
was recent speaker on Phi Beta
Sigma’s Founders Day program.
Mr. Brown was introduced by
Sigma president, James Graham.
Quite dynamic was his speech
on the vision of the Negro some
fifty years past and the con
frontations and movements of
the Negro of today. Brown con
cluded his speech by summing
up the steps which, he f eels,
should perpetuate the growth of
the Negro economically, socially
and politically.
President of the Student Gov
ernment Association in 1960-61,
Ben was a great force in the
Student Non-Violent Co-ordina
ting Committee. His activity led
to nation-wide publicity in
LOOK MAGAZINE. Participa
ting in all phases of college life,
he was elected in his senior year
to WHO’S WHO in AMERICAN
BiologyDepartment
Given Journals
The Clark College Depart
ment of Biology has received a
gift of several hundred copies of
valuable science journals.
Dating back as far as 1920’s
the journals were given to the
college by Dr. Nelle Ammons of
Rices Landing, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Ammons is professor emeri
tus at West Virginia University.
She became interested in giving
the magazines to Clark through
Dr. John W. Withers, chairman
of the Biology Department.
The publications include is
sues of Science and The Ameri
can Journal of Botany. Withers
called them valuable to the de
partment in terms of reserach
and writing.
by Lamond Godwin
Jacqueline Bennet, a fresh
man, and William Gordon,
sophomore, represented the col
lege’s Debating Team last week
end at the Annual Harvard Uni
versity Debate Tournament.
They competed in the two-
man switch-style tournament
Sixteen New
Members In Alpha
Kappa Alpha
The thirty-two sorors of Al
pha Pi Chapter, Alpha Kappa
Alpha Sorority paid tribute to
their founders, Friday, January
17. The theme of the program
was “AKA 1908-1964.” The pro
gram recapitulated the history
of the sorority and accentuated
upon the present. It culminated
when sorors from guest chapters
of Gamma Gamma and Kappa
Omega united with the sorors of
Alpha Pi for the singing of the
hymn.
Alpha Pi is presently making
plans for the Regional Confer
ence in Pensacola, Florida and
Sisterhood Week. The sorors
are pleased at its progress with
“Project AKA,” a nation-wide
project which includes work
with homes for underpriviledg-
ed children.
The sorority welcomes ne
ophytes Ann Alston, Mary Ellis,
Leondria Epps, Loreatha Ezzard,
Gloria Games, Mary Henderson,
Marilyn Jones, Andrea Laster,
Gloria Laster, Eva Lawson,
Yvonne Lowe, Eugenia Mc-
Lemore, Brenda Moore, Shirley
Morrell, Roseann Pope and Ad-
die Shopshire.
Deltas Celebrate
Founders Day
The members of Delta Sigma
Theta Sorority celebrated their
fifty-first founder’s day, Friday,
January 6. The Theme of the
program was “The Past Is
Prologue.” It was dedicated to
the late President John F. Ken
nedy.
The history of the Sorority
was presented by Yvonne Rich
ardson. Excerpts from recorded
speeches of president Kennedy
were played. The Delta’s payed
special tribute to their dead
founders by placing white roses
on the stage. The living found
ers were represented by red
roses.
A dedicatory presentation was
delivered in honor of President
Kennedy by Jacqueline Culver.
During a musical interlude,
which followed this delivery, a
silhouette of the President was
projected in the background.
The program was concluded
by remarks from the Chapter
president and the singing of the
national hymn.
against teams from colleges as
distant as the west coast. The
exchange was centered around
the national topic “Resolved:
That the Federal Government
Should Guaranatee an Opport
unity for Higher Education to
Qualified High School Grad
uates.”
Back On Campus
Sigma Gamma Rho
After five years of inactivity,
Phi Chapter, Sigma Gamma
Rho Sorority, Incorporated, has
become a functioning, integrated
part of the Clark College family.
With new horizons before
them, Sigmas are striving to
reach of success in all their en
deavors. Their plans include
sparkling ideas which will give
a new face to the academic and
social life at Clark. First to
venture forth in reorganizing
the sorority on Clark’s campus
were Sorors Sarah Presley, Lois
Benjamin and Anne L. Fanning.
Recently, Sorors of Phi Chap
ter celebrated Founder’s Day
with the theme being “A Tri
bute to Founders.” Candles were
lit in memory of Founders set
against the narration of Basileus
Presley. The program was cul
minated with a Greek Medley
in to all Sororities and Fraterni
ties on the campus. Guests for
the program were Sorors, Au
roras and Gammettes from
Morris Brown and Atlanta
Graduate Chapter. Sigma Gam
ma Rho is advised by faculty
sorors Gladys Cothran and An-
ona Standard.
Kappas Welcomes
Seven Brothers
The brothers of Gamma Kap
pa Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi
Fraternity were happy to wel
come into Kappadom seven ne
ophyte brothers. These brothers
are Eugene Ballentine, chemis
try major from St. Louis, Mo.;
Samuel Hamilton, history major
from Knoxville, Tenn.; Kenneth
Long, Sociology major from
Bessemer, Alabama; James May,
mathematics major from Dub
lin, Georgia; Hewitt Matthews,
chemistry major from Miami,
Florida; Craig Morgan, Sociol
ogy major from Tuskegee, Ala
bama; and Joseph Robinson,
chemistry major from Dixie,
Georgia. These magnificent
seven join the men of Kappa
everywhere in their strive to
ward achievement.
This year Gamma Kappa
again sponsored it’s annual
Christmas party for the Carrie-
Steele Pitts Orphanage. The
party featured the singing of
Christmas carols, playing of
games, and the presentation of
gifts.
Salutations go to Brothers
David Palmer and Lowell Dick
erson. Both were selected to the
all S.I.A.C. football team. In
addition, Brother Palmer was
named All America by the Pitts
burgh Courier and Together
Magazine. Brother Dickerson,
who lead the football Panthers
as Captain, also serves as cap
tain of the basketball team.
For the fourth consecutive
semester Gamma Kappa took
first honors in the Marlboro
College Round-Up Contest.
Lincoln From Page 1
pearance with him on a Wayne
State University panel in No
vember.
Dr. Lincoln’s topic was “Pat
terns of Protest” based on find
ings made in current research.
this passage, I have inserted “Negro” in place of Jew and “white
man” in place of Christian.
Hath not a Negro eyes? Hath not a Negro hands, organs, di
mensions, senses, affections, passions? fed with the same food,
hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed
by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and
summer as a white man is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If
you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die?
and if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? . . .
Something to think about, isn’t it? “What Is A Negro?”
Debaters In Harvard Tourney