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Editorials
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Clark Atlanta University Panther
October 19, 1990
The Struggle Continues
By EVITA L. ELLIS
Staff Writer
A faculty member, fed up with the institutional problems of
Clark Atlanta University, inquired “Why don’t the students
protest like we did in the 60s?”
As students, we have the right to be heard and respected.
Since the consolidation, Clark Atlanta University has been
plagued with problems; it has had its’ share of defeats, but this
doesn’t excuse the confusion within the Courts and on campus
that has plagued our minds, changed our souls and turned our
hearts to stone.
Perhaps these matters could be resolved if the administration
for once would say, “What can we do... How can we help you?”
and really mean it. Often times in the past, we have taken our
problems to the administration, only to have them placed on a
dusty shelf, behind last year’s budgets, problems and
complaints.
The problems that students are facing, like the inadequate
facilities in the E. L. Simon Courts, have taken second seat to
events like homecoming.
On Sept. 24, students residing in the student apartment
complex met to discuss recent attacks, lack of security and
other problems. Certain members of the administration were
present including Juanne Johnson, housing director for the
Courts and Dr. Larry Earvin, dean of students. Their presence
did nothing to reassure us; they told us what they thought we
wanted to hear and students left the meeting with the same
mixed emotions they arrived with.
Something new has risen from the voices behind the walls of
the courts — a group of E. L. Simon residents who are fed up.
They call themselves “The Court Voice” and their agenda is
“freedom of expression.”
The Court Voice asked the administration to allow them an
opportunity during homecoming week far them to address
their concerns to parents and alumni. The word had reached
the administration, but no contact with students was evident.
“The main purpose of the Court Voice is to reflect us — the
students, and no one else.” said a source from the group.
The Voice would like to know of any concerns that students
might have. Interested students should stop by the Birdcage
room 203 for further details.
The Voice is willing to do as much as they can, but most
importantly they are asking for the support of the E. L. Simon
residents to offer ideas in making the life in the courts a better
one.
As a second semester junior 1 have blendedJn well with the
general crowd of “all talk and no action” or the crowd who is
“just to busy to be bothered.” But it’s time we all take a stand
and express ourselves not just verbally but by any means
neccesary in doing something that our parents did for us during
the 60s in clearing the path so that the next person can move on
a little easier.
PANTHER
October 12, 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 A rts 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.
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Reexamining Our Status
By NANNETTE L. WILSON
Editorial Page Editor
Not since the 1960s has any social issue
dominated the news and conscience of the
American society as much as the current social
status of the African American male and his
family.
The decline in family values and the question
of the African American family’s future and
what some writers term the inevitable demise of
the African American family are some of the
concerns that will be addressed. This article does
not attempt to answer any questions but to raise
the level of consciousness of the reader.
Because African American men are such an
integral part of the African American
community, it is important to study the forces
that impact on their traditional value systems.
Many people believe that the African
American community is composed of African
American women and their children. Of course,
that is not true. The African American
community is composed of more than just
African American women and their children.
However, as African American men and women,
especially men, we must not be too eager to
condemn those who would perpetuate this belief
because there are sociological foundations for
these beliefs.
The 1978 census reported the male population
as being 12 million for African Americans as
compared to the 92 million for White men. It is
estimated that African American men accounted
for about 11.3 percent of the United States male
population.
Over the past hundred years the U.S. Bureau
of the Census has enumerated more African
American females than it has males. Have you
ever stopped to ask yourself, why is this?
It is also interesting to note the comparisons
made between the marital status of African
American men and that of the White men. How
is that?
Education. Education is also considered to be
a very important value in African American
communities according to Robert Staples,
author of The Black Family. Where are the men
around the college campuses? We want to see
more than just ‘the men of Brawley Hall.’
The extension of formal schooling to African
American men has resulted in a decline in the
illiteracy rate from 10 percent in 1959 to 4
percent in 1969.
In developing an accurate social profile of
African American men, as well as their family, it
is important to examine the extent to which they
were actively involved in different forms of
personal and community activities.
Historically, in the African American
community, great emphasis has been placed on
the importance of participating in voluntary
associations.
Often people, including African American
men, have used voluntary organizations to solve
personal and community problems.
In many cases, African American people have
developed their own organizations and
associations.
Fraternal organizations have been one formal
mechanism African American men have used to
reinforce the value of mutual aid and sorrorities
have been a formal mechanism for African
American women.
In presenting a social profile of the African
American family, consideration must be given to
sports, too.
A 1976 study suggested that African
American men spend a great deal of their time in
unorganized activities, such as playing checkers
and chess, shooting pool and gambling. It
makes you want say ‘h— u—m’ like Arsenio!
There have been some notable changes in the
social characteristics of African American men
and their families since the time of some of these
reports.
It is hoped that your reading this will help you
in understanding the “plight of the African
American males and their family’s” in
contemporary society. The current status of the
African American male has its roots in this
release. The social profile of the African
American male is a reflection of the American
society and its attitude towards one segment of
the population.
The misconceptions and negative attitudes
toward African American males will be
corrected, but until this is understood.