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Page 2 The Panther February 2, 1979 Editor Apologizes For Delay By A. Lineve Wead Panther Editor For the record I am going to mention the reason why many students left home for the holidays last semester without a copy of the Panther in their hands. My co-editor, Suleiman Abdul- Azeez wrote an editorial that was considered “controversial” and “un bias” by the administration at Clark College. Therefore, I would like to apologize for not presenting to many deserving students a copy of the fifth issue of the Panther for first semester 1978. I know that I promised many students, especially those who are neophytes from Greek organizations, that they would have a school paper before the holidays. However, because of the lateness of the paper arriving on campus (Dec. 18,1978), many of us, including myself were gone. By now I am sure that many of you have received a late copy and for those who did not, please ask your friends to share it with you. I believe it was the best paper the staff put out for the semester. The Panther is a student publication. We operate under the guidelines established by our advisors and administration as well. Since we are a private institution supported in portion by the United Methodist Church, we do not accept liquor and cigaret advertisements. We do not accept manuscripts that are not con forming to our style, either in content or manner. We do, however, have the right to allow our staff the right to free speech in their stories and editorials. Then why, you ask, did President Blake run his editorial viewpoint under Azeez’s editorial, attracting more attention to that editorial than was needed? Because our president must answer any questions about “controversial” is sues that affect Clark in any way. I am in no way condeming what was written by President Blake, because that was his opinion. I am not condeming what was written by Azeez, because it was his opinion. I am, however, questioning the fact that as a student writing for a student publication, why wasn’t Azeez entitled to his opinion? Aforementioned, I am once again apologizing to the student body, faculty and staff as well, for your not receiving our last publication last semester. Thank you to those who held me ac countable by raising questions why; this tells me that the Pan ther was missed, and that means that our staff could not be do ing that bad of a job. Remember in the future to always raise questions about sub jects as they affect your collegiate life. We are here to be put on the firing line if you think that someone is trying to put someth ing over on you. THE UNITED WAY. The Panther is published twice monthly by the students at Clark College. Editor Ann. L. Wead News Editor Marcia Jones Feature Editor Denise Green Sports Editor Charles Anderson Photography Editor Tyraun Patterson Business Manager Jack Jenkins Staff Artists .Linda Dyson Felton Fedrick Faculty Advisors Denise Johnson Osker Spicer All articles, poetry, photographs and other con tributions to the newspaper may be dropped off at our offices in Thayer Hall. Address all correspondence to: PANTHER Newspaper, Box 154, Clark College, Atlanta, Ga. 30314. For The Record . . . Since February is Black His tory Month, the Panther is looking forward to covering every event Clark is spon soring in this behalf. We hope each student will spend some time remembering the past of our black leaders by participat ing in some way with an organization or individual in bringing this historic month for black people to a celebrated reality. * * * Clark College has participated in the birthday celebration of our late leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Our president, Dr. Elias Blake, Jr. was an integral part of the celebration and awarded Stevie Wonder with a much deserved citation for his musical leadership in this country. Students have marched with the King family, and some of us marched with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in their People’s March the day before King’s birthday. Once again this is a fine example of the involvement that our family here at Clark College continues to exemplify in the local community. An Article of Comment Stirs More Comment By Michael H. Cottman In reference to President Blake’s rebuttal in the last edition of the Clark College Panther, pertaining to some of the problems with the Panther, it appeared to me that only the surface was scratched, to a problem that lies much deeper. Dr. Blake’s overall statement concentrated on one student’s editorial, charging him with producing information based on an inadequate investigation. In this particular situation the content of his editorial was reviewed, and then submitted to Dr. Blake for further investigation. The problem, as it turns out, was an obvious personal conflict between the student and one Clark administrative unit. President Blake made it quite clear that any piece of material that is considered “unsatisfactory,” wil be reviewed, or omitted from the Panther. The Panther, said to be a student newspaper, is designed to present newsworthy information to the student body. Being that the Panther is a student paper, it should be con trolled by the students, which also includes managing the content of the Panther. If you haven’t guessed by now, the key word here is censorship. Even though the prior editorial was written out of personal outrage, and all of the facts were not presented, the fact still remains that the content of the student’s work was inspected before being printed. Prior to taking the job with Panther, I was under the as sumption that a student newspaper is a paper produced and con trolled by the students. It is very discouraging to members of the Panther staff to find that the “student newspaper” is in fact a misconception, and that we are not the only ones who proofread our work. President Blake’s point concerning the content of the prior editorial was completely understood, but I cannot condone cen sorship when used as a technique to get to the facts. President Blake commented on journalistic procedures by say ing “students are not allowed to stand outside of normal res ponsibilities for the quality of their work.” Do these responsibilities mean that students are NOT ALLOWED to voice their opinions concerning issues of significance? For the record, I would like to add that an editorial (as For the record, I would like to add that an editorial (as seen in a current Clark College text) is “an article of comment, by an in dividual who injects his own personal opinions into news copy. It is also a serious stand taken by the writer, and can be based solely on personal opinions.” Singing ‘We Shall Overcome’ are (left to right) Mrs. Maynard Jackson and Mayor Jackson; Coretta Scott King, U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young and Alveda King; sister of Dr. King. (Photo by Jerome Gwinn) High School band pays tribute to Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. (PHOTO BY Jerome Gwinn)