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Editorials Page 4 Clark Atlanta University Panther April 29, 1991 By DWAN PETE Go To Africa! Contributing Writer If you haven't been to Africa, you need to go. Seriously. Now, I know that that is easier said than done. Let's face it, we college students are broke. But if you can't go while in college, go at some point, the sooner the better. The experience might change your perspective on a lot of things. It did for me. I was fortunate enough to be one of the five CAU Junior Delegates to attend the First African/African American Summit in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, Africa, from April 14 - 20. The most important thing I gained was a greater sense of connectedness with Africa. When I truly realized that I was in a country, in a continent, where the vast majority of the natives look just like me, it hit me. When I was welcomed with open arms by my African brothers and sisters in Abidjan, in Yamoussoukro, in Dakar, it hit me. And when I returned to America and received the ever-so-familiar icy or uncomfortable stares from Euro-Americans, it hit me like an anvil: when I was in Africa, I was truly home. Many African Americans (myself included, before my trip) don't feel as great a bond to Africa as they should, partially because the bond is de-emphasized by America's Eurocentric media and education system. We normally don't have the opportunity to learn much about African history in America's schools until we reach the college level. So what's the solution? As always, what others do not do for us, we have to do for ourselves. We need to begin educating ourselves about our African heritage and history. Whether it is by reading more on the subject or by actually visiting Africa, we need to learn more about our heritage. "Well, I don't know what part of Africa I'm from--how am I supposed to learn about my African roots?" Pick a country. Pick a region. And learn about it. Don't let such a weak excuse stop you from learning about your people. "The books on African history are Eurocentric and stereotypical." That's another excuse that needs to be discarded. If we can't find Afrocentric textbooks, and we know that Euro-Americans aren't going to write them, why not write the textbooks ourselves? Do for ourselves. But, the easiest way to educate ourselves about Africa, at least today's Africa, is simply to talk to Africans. For AUC students, it's talking to African students, especially African students who have just recently come to America. Some African American students claim to be sooooo Afrocentric, yet can't get past the fact that " 'those Africans' " don’t wear any deodorant!" Those who can't get past that pettiness and never take the time to talk to "those Africans" (as if they have no African blood as well) don't really feel that 'those Africans' are our brothers and sisters. Those who wear the beads and the Malcolm X T-shirts, but have yet to shed the small-minded Eurocentric intolerance are missing a true sense of connectedness with their African heritage. We don't have to pack our bags and go back to live in Africa to get a sense of our African roots. But, we do need to pack up and discard any Eurocentric garbage in our minds that deemphasises and belittles our African heritage. CAU PANTHER April 29, 1991 The articles on the editorial page are the opinion of the writers. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Clark Atlanta University student body, faculty, staff or administration. Editor-in-Chief Paulette V. Walker News Editor Tonya Latimer Lifestyles Editor Sheryl M. Kennedy Sports Editor Anthony George Staff Writers William Blackburn Veronica Fields Pierce Huff The Panther welcomes the views of the faculty, staff, administration but especially those of the student body in the form of letters to the editor or guest editorials. The Office is located in the Communication Arts Center, room 120. Address all correspondence to the Panther Newspaper, Clark Atlanta University, James P. Brawley Drive at Fair Street, S.W., P.O. Box 329, Atlanta, Ga. 30314 or call 880-8309 for inquiries. The staff meets every Tuesdays at 11 a.m. in room 120 of the Communication Arts Center. Illustration by Anthony Carter Graduates Must Give Back By MARGARET HUNTER Contributing Writer When the graduating class of 1991 their oath at the ceremony — professing to be a loyal alumni of CAU and give as they have received — they will be given the opportunity to change things they disliked. When I became a Panther, I remember walking around on campus grounds and seeing the plain, boring landscape. This scenery surrounded was my friend's dorm whom I visited often. I was appalled by their living conditions. The rooms were small and dark, the floors were brown. Many times I would walk over to Spelman and see my friend, Allison. The Splendor of Spelman! There is a drastic difference between CAU and Spelman's landscape. Spelman had blue and purple morning glories and poppies neatly aligning the pavement. Tall, green bushy shrubbery led to the auditorium and I even saw a plant like my mother had in the living room. And Allison's dorm room at Spellman outshone Clark's by leaps and bounds. Spelman has these benefits, because people give back to the college. I am aware of the Rockerfellers giving money to Spelman, but people with less of an account donate money, particularly, the alumni. At CAU, we can be charitable beginning with the 1991 graduates. I talked to a prospective graduate about giving back and she said, "I cannot give back to this school because the registration process is long and unorganized, and the Financial Aid Department has put me through a lot." She is not the first to go through this nor will she be the last. If she were to give monies, maybe the school could buy more computers to speed up the registration process. Graduates have a responsibility to change the negatives they experience now into positives for future CAU students. Anyone graduating from CAU should be eager to give back. The institution has prepared us for a career in the world. The class discussions that future graduates participated in should have awakened their senses to issues affecting society, and the world and African Americans. I cannot forget that almost everyday instructors at CAU share their knowledge and experience with- students. They remind us of how difficult it is in the world and how you have to be prepared, because someone out there has an edge over you. What about that instructor who is not so encouraging? Even this person has taught us something, because like this instructor employers are not always tactful. Clark Atlanta University gave you all of this. We did pay thousands of dollars in tuition, to fund our education and some may respond to this commentary, "I gave back by paying tuition.” Some things we received at CAU, money cannot buy, even Rockerfeller and Cosby know this. I am a mass media arts major with a concentration in public relations. During my sophomore year, I intended to leave CAU because the college did not have a concentration in advertising. I stayed at CAU, because general education instructors were positive and always concerned about my best interest. They gave me one-on-one attention. I was unable to write legibly with my right hand, and it would take me hours to complete an assignment. My general education instructors allowed special privileges, including taking time to read my writing which resembled that of a 4-year- old, without complaints. I will never forget it. That's why I sacrificed my talent in advertising to remain at CAU. It would be great to give back computers to my department. I remember watching "Full House," a comedy on NBC and seeing a character that was played by a 12- year-old and the editor of her school paper. She said, "I could type this on the computer." This depicts elementary students and middle school classrooms of today. CAU mass media arts majors use typewriters like Perry Mason used on "Ironside." The CAU alumni, particularly the mass media majors should make typewriters and computers top priority. During senior week, I kindly ask all prospective 1991 graduates to make a list of things that need sprucing up around campus. Remember, you are making it better for other students and trying to rank CAU higher than nine on Emerge's list of Top 10 Schools. We can show other schools in the AUC, we do not need celebrities' bank accounts to be an outstanding university. 1991 graduates have these gestures, too. You do not give to receive, but when you do it comes back threefold.