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October 4, 1990
Clark Atlanta University Panther
Editorials
Do You Care?
By SONIA WHITE
Staff Writer
When was the last time you
remembered Clarkites joining
together to voice their opinions
to the administration, to let
their opinions be heard? Is
Student Activism just a
memory on Clark Atlanta’s
campus or a cliche from
another generation? There are
many questions that an
“active” student should be
concerned with. For those
students that drive to school,
are you aware that you must
purchase a $15 parking
sticker? This should be of
concern to you as a student of
Clark Atlanta, because you
pay “fees.” My question is
what “fees” are covered for our
money. Another aspect of the
parking sticker concerns
residents in the Courts.
Residents of the courts must
also pay this additional $15 as
of October 1, 1990. I am
concerned, concerned that
Clarkites are idly-sitting by
and allowing the administra
tion to continue to make
decisions, which may be
leaving out student input.
The $15 parking sticker is
just one of the many issues
Clarkites should be concerned
with. Have you considered
where your tuition goes, what’s
being done to get air condition
ing in some of the older
buildings, the need for more
computers, the need for a better
library, and of course the need
to clear up the confusion in the
financial aid office just to
name a few. Some people may
think this sounds a little harsh
but, ask yourself - “What can
be better at Clark Atlanta, and
how can I make it better.”
There are also social and
political issues that affect the
lives of the students here on
the campus. Have you ever
considered the environment oq(
abortion. This is an issue that
the AUC Center can address
together but, only if students
are willing to be actively in
volved in their campus and
community.
Yet another outlet to
consider is the role of the
Student Government
Association. Who are our
student leaders and what do
they stand for? In time maybe
Clarkites will be more concern
ed with the issues and not just
the latest fashions or auto
mobiles. But then again do you
really care?
Welcome, Alumni
It’s that time of the year again. It is not as cold as is
customary, but everyone is shivering with excitement.
HOMECOMING! A time to embrace old friends and meet new
ones. President Thomas Cole mentioned that CAU was
undergoing “...an indentity-shaping process.” An integral part
of our new identity is siphoned from the talents and
contributions of the alumni from the mother institutions —
Clark College and Atlanta University. The doctors, lawyers,
teachers, secretaries — from every profession and each corner
of the nation — who graduated from AU, CC, or CAU. Alumni
are a constant source of inspiration and support for the
students at CAU. They remind us that our efforts here are not
in vain. Alumni, during this time of celebration we lovingly
embrace you. Welcome home!
PANTHER
October 4, 1990
The articles on the editorial page are the opinions of the
writers. They are not necessarily the opinions of the student
body, faculty, staff or administration.
Editor-in-Chief Paulette V. Walker
Managing Editor Cydney L. Williams
News Editor Tonya Lattimore
Editorial Page Editor Nannette L. Wilson
Lifestyles Editor Vanessa Crocket
Sports Editor Pierce W. Huff
Photo Editor Rodney Mathews
We welcome our readers ’ views in the form of letters to the
editor or guest editorials. The Panther office is located in the
Communication Arts Center, room 120. The business office
is in Trevor Arnett Hall. Address all correspondence to the
Panther Newspaper, Clark Atlanta University, James P.
Brawley Drive at Fair Street, S. W., P. O. Box 329, A tlanta,
Ga. 30314. The telephone number is 880-8295. The staff
meets Tuesdays at 11 a.m. in room 120 of the
Communications Arts Center.
ILLUSTRATION BY DWAN PETE
Let’s Strengthen Our Values
By NANNETTE L. WILSON
Editorial Page Editor
Once upon a time in the big city of the Old
South, there was no freeze on hiring, on school
system budget cuts, no quarreling among
teachers and principals, and no worries about
crime in the local transit system stations. The
city had no homeless people, no drug abuse, no
teen-age pregnancies and high infant mortality
rate, no profanity or bird signs during bumper-
to-bumper traffic, no sex scandals, and no
missing and murdered children. This is my
dream for Atlanta, “the world class city,” home
of Clark Atlanta University, seat of excellence.
ILLUSTRATION BY NANNETTE L. WILSON
In the midst of CAU’s and Atlanta’s progress
and strides toward “world class” is the problem
of knowing how to strengthen our value
systems. Traditionally, the three main sources
of strength have been the home, church and
school; that has not changed. The problem lies
in the tendency of people, particularly young
adults of college age, to seek help from other
sources.
Home provides nurturing and caring, it is the
place where values are taught. The quality of
one’s home life is not determined by the
neighborhood or the number of books on the
shelf, but rather by the level of commitment the
family has to each other. For the African-
American home, it is crucial for each family
member to recognize and appreciate the
strength that can be gained from a strong home
and family life.
The strength one gains from one’s family is
the “stuff’ that keeps you going in tough times.
That same toughness is what helps you say,
“NO” to drugs and other negative forces in
society. That same toughness helps one to
reflect on our proud African-American heritage,
the contributions of our fathers and mothers.
The home provides the sense of need that
causes one to reach out to the church.
It is the church that teaches morals and
ethics to direct our lives. For African
Americans, the church has always been a
source of spiritual and social renewal. It is
important for young African Americans to
remember that the church must be preserved.
The church, like the home is one of the
fundamental institutions of our society.
The third social institution is the school. It is
the socializing arm of society; it serves as a
micro society. School brings people together of
diverse backgrounds and cultures. Unlike the
home, where people share common family roots,
and church where people share common
religious values, school brings people together
of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
African American students must become
committed to strengthening the home, church,
and school. Clark Atlanta University students,
are fortunate. As a historically black college,
CAU is committed to the transmission and
preservation of our African American legacy.
This means that our three institutions of life
must be nurtured. It also means that they must
continue to be sources from which we can draw
strength. It is this strength that will ensure that
we “make a difference.”