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April 29, 1991 Clark Atlanta University Panther Page 7 How do you feel about Congressman John Lewis speaking at C AU's May 91' Commencement Ceremony? Tammi Gwinn, 22 Senior Marketing major "We have enough illustrious alumni who are qualified to inspire us that we shouldn't have to reach outside the CAU realm. If we do reach outside the CAU family, it should be to choose someone who is a good role model; someone to emulate. I would have chosen someone like Marva Collins, Joshua Smith or even Oprah Winfrey. John Lewis was chosen because of politics. We need to keep political inclinations out of the school environment." Mark Tyler, 24 Senior Religion Major "I've been trying to be less critical of those so-called former Civil Rights leaders. I think Congressman Lewis has contributed a lot to the Black struggle, but not in ways I would have liked. He has done some things that are positive to Black people. My first choice for a speaker would have been Reverend George Stallings. He is a trend-setter. He is moving in the direction that I think Africans ought to be moving; independent in thought, word and deed." Thoughts 51% This is the percentage of Panther readers surveyed who think the 1990-91 SGA did a competent job while in office. Hard Workers Continued from Page 6 during the fall. He says that he has worked for so long that is has become habit. When he was in school there was no such thing as eight hours of sleep. He went to class in the morning from 8 a.m to 2 p.m. and from there to his job at Upton's Department Store and worked from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Petty estimated that he would finish his homework between 12 midnight and 1 a.m. "I can't really think about going out until I know everything that needs to be done is done," says Petty. "It is important to be disciplined and be a good manager of your time, especially if you have more than one job." Arsan Saulnier is a public relations major from New Brunswick, N.J. She is a self- supported, independent student who works at Eckard's, Arthur Anderson and Company accounting firm and as a tutor at the Student Support Center. "Working makes you appreciate going to school more," says Ms. Saulnier. "Students who do not work can go to class, go home and study, but working is added pressure." She feels that education should be first priority and that people should not work if they do not have to. "Having a job gives you a sense of responsibility and prepares you for the work force, but sometimes it can be depressing," says Miss Saulnier. "I know that I am not the only one doing this and that is my inspiration to keep going." The Naked Truth By William H. Blackburn Staff Writer Walk through James P. Brawley Drive on a day when the temperature is reeking with humidity and visions of a sneak preview of the Ebony Fashion Fair will immediately dance in your head. The sight of Perry Ellis, Liz Claiborne, Tommy Hilifinger and Bloomingdales name tags are as equally visual as books of accounting, marketing, and Spanish. Yet, the characters in these pictures are not models, but Clark Atlanta University students. From freshmen to seniors to graduate students, the campus is the ideal place to debut your hottest and newest outfit. "Everybody is trying to look good to attract some attention," said Marcus Keith, a CAU junior. "The first thing people look at is what you have on." While sheer outfits, silk shirts and rayon suits draw an endless amount of compliments, it's the array of strapless bras, miniskirts, shorts and open shirts that receive the ooh's and aah's. The revealing look has taken centerstage around campus, and it has produced a number of co-stars. "The hottest items among the females seems to be the suggestive clothes," said Rodney Carter, a CAU senior. 'They are wearing the clothing that shows off a lot of body parts." Borrowing from the closets of Madonna and Pebbles, the females students have made stimulating attires the vogue of the moment. As the temperatures rise, seductive miniskirts, alluring bras that showcase parts of the breast and a assortment of erotic shorts replace the traditional springtime sights of birds, bees and ice cream treats. "When it gets as humid as it does here in Atlanta, I feel more comfortable not wearing a lot of clothes," said Mona Evans. "I don't wear my outfits just to get guys, I do it because it gets so hot here that clothes seem to melt on you." Evans, a sophomore from Pittsburgh, added that most of her friends are into the suggestive look also. "We're not trying to look fast or anything, we're just out to look good and feel comfortable at the same time." While the female students flaunt their sex appeal, their male counterparts exhibit a portion of that same suggestive look using a masculine approach. The miniskirts and bras are replaced by unbuttoned shirts and close-fitting shorts. "Guys seem to be trying to compete with the girls," said Tasha Pointe. "They try to show off their chest by having their shins open or by wearing a jacket without a shirt." Unlike the female students, some of the male students confess that their style of dress is designed to draw attention from the opposite sex. "When I get up and dress in the mornings, I try to pick out something that is going to draw the attention of females," said Anthony Witis, a CAU junior. "I usually decide on something that will show off my body and look nice at the same time." However, while the suggestive look around campus is generally accepted, it raises the question of professionalism. One of the stereotypes that has plagued African Americans for years is the appearance factor. AFRICAN AMERICANS VIEW DRESS CODE AT WHITE COLLEGES While the fashions at CAU range from suggestive to sharp to expensive, African American students at White colleges have but one style- conservative. The names of Guess, Gap, Nike and Addidas are the choices for popular hang-out outfits. Aside from a pair or two of khaki pants for the males and a skirt or a dress for the females, their is no evidence of the students being fashion conscious. "I could care less about what I wear to class," said Maurice Wooten, a junior at Georgia Tech. "The black students here are not worried about fashions, the only thing in fashion at Tech is going to class." The St. Louis native added that there are two types of African American students at White colleges-athletes and serious students. "Nobody that I hang around with is concerned about wearing high priced clothes and the athletes could really care less." Athletes are traditionally known as carefree dressers who prefer jogging suits and Nikes over Willie Wear and patent leather shoes. However, this casual style of dress has also rubbed off on the non-athletic portion of the student body. "I like to wear a pair of jeans and a T-shirt to class." said Latriece Meyers. "The students here at Emory (University) don't care about what you have on." Miss Meyers, a sophomore accounting major, said that her closet consist of jeans, T-shirts, two skirts and a dress. In addition, Miss Meyers added that most of the African American students at Emory dress casual and comfortable. "At White colleges jeans and a shirt are about as fancy as it gets around here. The students are into calculus and marketing not Liz Claiborne and Esprit." The students at the White colleges believe that the competitive fashion atmosphere that is evident at African American colleges is not conducive to success. "I don't have to wear a $200 outfit to class to pass my biology test," said Antwon Mathis, a senior at Georgia Tech. "Students at the Black schools are more concerned about styles and slangs." The students also agree that their first priority is class, while the students at CAU believe that looking fashionable is their top priority. "I'm here to go to school and not hang out and try to look like a model," said Mathis. "I don’t need Perry Ellis to be down with the boys." One in the same race but different in the trend department, African American students at White colleges will continue to stroll to the bookstore instead of Macy's and Saks Fifth Avenue, while the fashion show on James P. Brawley Drive will proceed under sunny skies to the tune of "If My Friends Could See Me Now". CAU Students flaunt summer fashions.