Newspaper Page Text
6 JANUARY - FEBRUARY, 1968
The Panther
THE FIRST ORIGINAL FLAG FOR BLACK
AMERICANS
Dear Sisters & Brothers;
We are indeed happy and privileged to share the announcement
of the First Original Flag for Black Americans.
The purpose of the flag is to bring a national unity to the Black
People of the United States. First of all we are American citizens,
and will always honor, and respect the American flag. But we are
Black People, a race in the United States without the representa
tion of a flag. This flag will represent us just as the Irish, Polish,
Italian and various nationalities in the United States are repre
sented by their flag.
We have special pride in our history and traditions and feel the
world should know of them. The proposal is something that can
improve the framework of our already structured society to make
America a more beautiful place in which to live. As Black Ameri
cans, we feel our intrinsic aims are indeed meritorious and should
be shared with you.
The Black American Flag will add culture, affirm its own self
hood, and give a much needed boost in morale. Pride, in race,
culture and flag are a beginning. The Black American must begin
to know his worth in the American society. We believe it is time
for the Black People to look into himself and begin making his
presence felt, not in violence but in economic progress. As indi
viduals, we have an important role to fill in the future development
of America. In this important role we are all leaders.
The courtesy of your endorsement and reply will be greatly ap
preciated.
Respectfully,
Gleason T. Jackson
Melvin Charles
PLEDGE
I pledge my respect to the flag of the Black American and to the
people it represents. I shall remain aware of the color red, being
ever mindful that it represents the blood shed by our forefathers.
The color black gives me pride and identity. I shall always re
main true to the American ideal that all men are created equal.
SYMBOLS
The Moorish Boarding Sword gives representation of strength and
force. The ability to do or act and justify. The rights to deter
mine, adjudicate and settle issues.
The Fig Leaf gives representation of peace and happiness. The
cultivated fig is a native of Africa and undoubtedly ranks as one
of the most ancient, beautiful and life giving fruits.
Two diagonal stripes represent the blood Blackmen have given
for their freedom, justice and human dignity throughout the world.
The black diagonal stripe represents the pigmentation and beauty
of the Black Americans.
THE DAY THE FLAG SHOULD BE FLOWN
Emancipation Proclamation — January 1, 1863
The First Slave to arrive in America—
Jamestown, Virginia August 15, 1619
Crispus Attucks (death) March 5, 1770
The four children killed in Sunday
School in Alabama September 1, 1963
Booker T. Washington (birthday) April 18, 1856
Malcolm X (death) February 24, 1956
Medger Evers (death) June 11, 1963
John F. Kennedy (death) November 22, 1964
A Portrait
Of A Freshman
by Marcia Goodson
A new life with new meaning,
Exicitingly ourselves we involve.
To do our best in everything,
Honestly we resolve.
Searching for many answers,
Academically and socially, too,
We value of what is
being taught,
And cherish every clue.
Being looked down on
by upperclassmen,
Is not what we consider ideal.
In time, though,
I hope we’ll overcome,
If our resentment
we’ll conceal.
Love also plays an
important part,
In what we expect to achieve,
Knowing this, sometimes
we must understand,
We must give
in order to receive.
It all boils down to
just one thing,
Our conclusion not a strife.
It means so much that
we should make,
Our best of college life.
LSD
(LIVE, SUFFER, DIE)
Born through wed or fate
matters not,
The creature is destined to fill
a spot.
A lost soul wondering in a
forest dark,
Suffering through an endless jog.
Under eternal stars, man looks
above,
Searching for wisdom,
happiness love. . . .
Scratching the earth in a mad
rage,
Living the life of a troubled
slave.
Wanting this life with nothing
wrong,
Forgetting that roses surely
have thorns.
Working hard, fighting to be
free,
Living and dying in sheer
poverty.
Staring wildly into the sky,
Wondering why we live, suffer
die.
/. Von Cleveland