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Page 2 Clark Atlanta University Panther January 30, 1991 A UC Students Ponder Draft Mid-East Forum Continued From Page 1 By WILLIAM BLACKBURN Staff Writer As United States war planes descend over Iraqi skies, the thought of a possible draft seeps in the minds of many students in the Atlanta University Center. Not since the dreaded days of Vietnam in the late 60s has the collegiate level been besieged with such talk. Many students feel with the competiting personalities of President George Bush and Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, history is bound to repeat itself. “With the way this whole situation has exploded, you can’t rule out anything,” said Kevin Moore, a junior at Morehouse College. “I’m expecting some sort of draft measures.” Many students have voiced that these mea sures may be directed at African Americans attending college. Clark Atlanta University senior, Joe Barrett, says that the draft will be “Operation Wipeout.” “America is always looking for ways to keep the Black man from getting a thorough education and drafting us is much easier than cutting our minority scholarships.” With the changing times comes new provisions, accord ing to Newsweek magazine and the draft is no exception. The last time it was used occurred in 1968, but laws, attitudes and government officials have changed drastically since then. “You can expect the government to include all able-bodied African Ameri cans into this draft,” said Michael Blackburn, an intern at the Atlanta-based Alston and Bird Law Firm. "This is the perfect opportunity to eliminate what Whites believe “If they do draft us, we have to stick to gether and say no!. For the first time in our lives, we have to be a oneness. ” are the 'smart Blacks’ and who is better to do it than their own Black brother, Saddam Hussein.” First born, enrolled in college, only child and only son are some of the guidelines expected to be exonerated in this strategic battle. Unlike previous drafts when these provisions excused individuals from any draft considerations, this call-up will be unprecedented. Morehouse history profes sor, Vincent Fort, believes that this will be a “Black draft” and Bush hasn’t considered the consequences or backlash he’ll receive from the Black community. “Bush believes that the young African American adults of today are lazy, so instead of fighting the draft they will give in and go.” Fort also added that if brothers and sisters of the African American race stand up and fight for their human rights, the real war will take place on American soil. “If Bush is planning a draft and I feel that he is, then this is the chance for the Blacks in college to really show their true grit and show that all this Black pride paraphernalia that they display is for real and not just for show.” Government officials have publicly evaded the issue of a possible draft, however, the sentiment in the AUC isexactly the opposite. The students are straight to the point. “I'm not fighting for Middle East rights when my rights here in the United States haven’t been granted," said a defiant Tory Duncan, a junior at CAU. “If they do draft us, we have to stick together and say 'no,’ for the first time in our lives we have to be a oneness.” CAU Faculty, Staff Have Family Members In Gulf By SHERYL M. KENNEDY Staff Writer As war dims spirits at Clark Atlanta University, many faculty members have been touched by the power of battle not just in Saudi Arabia, but at the homefront. Since the news of the crisis first made headlines and hit air waves across the nation in August, professors at the institution grew aware that it was much more then a threat when their sons, daughters, husbands, wives or other relatives were called to serve in the Middle East. It was then Dr. Ora H. Cooks, chair, Education Department at Clark Atlanta University, turned her speculation about war into a growing concern. Just a few years ago when Dr. Cooks wished her son Michael success and good fortune upon receiving his college degree, she never expected that one day her neophyte engineer would be faced with the task of engineering a war. “When he first joined the military in 1986, it wasn’t what I wanted but, I supported his decision,” says Dr. Cooks. “A mother is always fearful when her child goes against what she believes is best.” Even though being in the military has been rewarding for her son, Dr. Cooks says that all those advantages would never make her understand the purpose of war. At present, Michael is stationed in South Korea but because of the gloom of war he could at any moment receive orders to go to Saudi Arabia. “I have absolutely no doubt that if he is called he will defend his country,” says Dr. Cooks. “I have always taught him if he makes a commitment to stick to it and defend it, but this time it’s life or death.” As an educator, Dr. Cooks views it as the educational world’s responsibility to teach and emphasize war more seriously in the classroom. “The educational institutions have failed to get across to our students that war is not glorious,” says Dr. Cooks and she also notes the harsh results of war in previous decades. She says that if teachers paint a picture of war that shows the positive and negative, it could affect the choice of national leadership for years ahead. “If educators began to stress war history along with how much it has failed us in the past, we as a nation would not continue to make the same mistakes,” says Dr. Cooks. “If educators began to stress this in the classroom no matter what the subject, the characters of the people we elect as leaders in this country will change for the better.” Like most families in America, the Cooks were affected by the situation -throughout the holiday season. Not only will the war dictate her son’s future, she also has a godson and best friend who are at the mercy of war. Dr. Cooks says that war changes one's attitude, especially when family becomes a target. “My whole attitude has changed,” she says. “It reminds me of a black cloud that never goes away.” According to Dr. Cooks, it’s impossible for the institution to know exactly how many faculty members have been touched by the war, but whether it be a son, daughter, grandchild or niece the pains of war are lasting. Dr. Abu-Akel shared his experience with the situation in the Persian Gulf. “Four villages were destroyed to the ground near my home town,” he explained. When Israel became a state close to five hundred Palestinian Arab villages, Muslims and Christians were destroyed to the ground and their people became refugees. You and I are still haunted by that same event in history,” said Dr. Abu-Akel. “That Palestinian refugees today are in Lebanon, in Syria, in Jordan, in Egypt, in Kuwait, in Suadi Arabia, and in the West Bank. The people there know what happened to the Palestinians. As a result. President Bush talks to the American people and the American people do not know the Palestinian story, according to Dr. Abu-Akel. “Saddam talks to a hundred and forty million Arabs and a billion Muslims and those people know the story!” said Dr. Abu-Akel amidst a strong sound of applause. Throughout the entire evening a familiar echo could be heard: “Why was the deadline set by the U nited Nations for the war the same day as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday?” Candice Bates, president of Alpha Pi Chapter, stated that although there may be no connection, she and members of her sorority felt that the issue should be aired out and discussed. “I would like to see a new activism in the Atlanta University Center,” said Ms. Bates. “Whether you agree, disagree or have no opinion, there is something to be gained from this exchange of points of view.” Students from around the Atlanta University Center have views on the war as well. “The Persian Gulf war is a mere prophecy in the making,” said Mark Oliphant, a senior at Morehouse College. Furthermore Oliphant said, “1 he Iraqis and Americans both realize this. America is trying to defy prophecy by attempting to dominate the world, including the Persian Gulf.” During the forum held in Davage Auditorium the audience also had the opportunity to hear Rev. Joseph E. Lowery, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Rev. Lowery expressed the need for a new world information order and peace. "Peace without justice is no peace, peace without justice is like a bird without feathers and like a bathtub that won’t hold water,” said Rev. Lowery. In addition. Rev. Lowery said Dr. Martin Luther King's legacy demands that African Americans witness for peace. Other individuals in the African American community expressed their views in other ways. Concerned Black Clergy of Atlanta held a press conference in opposition to the Bush Administration's Persian Gulf Policy. They compared the Jan. 15 deadline authorizing force agianst Iraq on the same day as Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday as a “gross insensitivity” to the memory of a champion of peace and non-violence. Individuals coming together in the Atlanta University Center on the eve of the deadline set by the U nited Nations was just one of the many demonstrations held in efforts for peace. Howard University students organized a national network under the banner of Student Call Against the War. “Part of the learning that students have to be able to do is doing their research, coming up with the facts, and being able to support what you say. That is part of the learning experience I must stress,” said Dr. Rose Sloan, who teaches philosophy and Ethics at Clark Atlanta University. AIR FORCE ROTC MAY BE IN YOUR FUTURE EVEN IF IT’S NOT ON YOUR CAMPUS. There are some colleges and universities where Air Force ROTC is not offered... Which doesn't mean it’s not available. Call or visit the Air Force ROTC detach ment listed and ask about the “crosstown” pro gram. Ail the benefits could still be yours: eligibility for two- through four-year scholarship programs ... the lead ership development opportunities ... the officer’s com mission when you graduate ... and more. Call DEPT OF AEROSPACE STUDIES (404) 894-7379 Leadership Excellence Starts Here