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Clark Atlanta University Panther
October 9, 1991
Afrocentricity at CAU
By Angela Gravely
Contributing Writer
Clark Atlanta
University addressed the
issue of 'afrocentricity' to
the Freshmen class during
their first general assembly.
The guest speaker. Dr.
Theodore Hemingway,
chairman of African
American studies at Florida
Agricultural and Mechanical
University (FAMU) in
Tallahassee, challenged
them to accept their duties in
knowing the history of
African Americans in
thought and practice.
He suggested that
students examine the role of
education and redefine its
purpose. To illustrate this,
he made reference to other
non-European people in the
United States.
He added that Asians
in America respect their
elders and avoid bringing
any dishonor to their
family. These values they
ascribe to or based on their
customs and culture - not
anyone else's.
In contrast, Black
children do not value their
education in the real sense of
the African community - a
basis for their customs and
culture.
He then told an
anecdote to describe the
mentality of students on
college campus'.
"Women say, 'there
are no men on this campus,' "
he stated. He said, "That's
because sisters eliminate
them more and more. They
say... 'Does he have good
hair? Are his lips too big?
How tall is he?' When they
should be asking the real
questions'. Can he read?
What is his GPA? And is he
planning on going to
graduate school?"
Dr. Hemingway said
that young men think the
same way, and that all
students need to change their
mentality.
"You shouldn’t be
interested in those things
that can make you homeless.
Height can't buy you a
house," he said.
He also said that
students should view
education as more than a
means to get a job, but a way
to gain knowledge and
power, based on cultural
appreciation.
Dr. Hemingway used
theoretical application with
these examples to
summarize Asante's idea
that our behavior is off-
centered and must be
changed.
Asante stated in the
Sept. 23 issue of Newsweek,
... "Afrocentric intervention
will relocate behavior in a
place of values and cultural
stability."
Dr. Hemingway made
several references to Asante
and other African studies
scholars, such as Martin
Bernal, who also appeared in
the Newsweek article.
Bernal has just
published Volume II, the
second in an expected four
volume series titled, "Black
Athena," which discusses the
African origins of western
civilization.
Dr. Hemingway
commented, "Read this book
before you go and buy your
next gold chain." He then
said, that students will be
better off buying $300 worth
of books, instead of the gold
chains, and even better off
reading the books they buy."
Spelmart
put them out.
continued jrom page 1
"We know the
school is looking at it from
a financial perspective, but
the students are looking at
the principle of the
matter," said Hubert.
'We assisted them
out of the spirit of helping
and good will," said Dr.
Earvin. "Furthermore, six
students won't help break
any ’ financial
arrangements either way.
" He added that the petition
goes against everything
that CAU teaches.
In addition,
Hubert's supporters said
that the administration
should have brought the
situation to the student
body's attention before
moving the women on
campus.
She explained,
"Before you bring a guest to
your house for dinner, you
family they're
That is simple
tell your
coming,
courtesy."
Dr. Earvin said,
"This was not a long term
project. It's not like we had
a couple of weeks or
months to ponder it. It
happened one week and
they moved in the next."
He added, "After the
decision was made we
informed the resident
director to meet with the
students. As far as I can
tell the students were
notified."
"Since the women
aren't leaving, we feel that
CAU students should have
access to some of
Spelman's facilities which
we have been denied access
to such as, Planned
Parenthood, tennis courts
or the gymnasium, "said
Hubert.
Employers seek AUC's best
Students throughout the Atlanta University Center filled Robert
R. Woodruff Library on Sept. 25, to participate in the 25th Annual Career
Day and Job Fair, sponsored by the AUC Career Planning and Placement
Over 180 U.S. companies participated. Exxon Corp., Kraft Inc.,
Dow Jones, AT&T, were a few of the cooperations represented.
Although the job fair was aimed at AUC students, it was also open
to students from other metro Atlanta institutions.
"I really appreciate that they (the companies) all came out to look
for potential Black employees. The fair should carry on year after year,"
said Eugene Mackey, a CAU student.
Yet, while the job fair was being held, many students were
gathered in front of James P. Brawley Drive at Fair Street, some
claiming that they were unaware of the career fair taking place.
"The job fair was not publicized properly. I did not know
anything about it until today," said Rich Wiltishire, a CAU student.
Charles McCain, a Morehouse student, said he also did not attend the fair
because of insufficient advertising for off-campus students.
Students also claimed that they were not able to
support the fair because classes were not excused. "I would have gone, but
I had too many classes," said Norlaundra Jackson, a CAU student.
According to Vanessa Loud, a Spelman student, the job fair would
have been better if it was extended to two days or a weekend, which would
not interfere with classes.
George Land, the director of the Career Planning and Placement
Service and the coordinator of this year's Career Day, said the career fair
went well in terms of numbers including the participation of companies
and students.
"I am pleased all the way round, many have said that this was the
best career fair they have attended and this is the best career day we have
had," said Land.
Several representatives said that they were very impressed with
the students’ qualifications, interest and general knowledge of the
companies.
"I think that the students were really well qualified. This year I
saw more people than ever before. Overall, I was impressed because the
quality of the students was excellent," said Larry Thomas, a partner with
the Edward Jones Company.
"Our students do have access to
Spelman’s health clinic,
but it is no longer a community
facility," said Dr. Earvin.
In response to the petition, Dr.
Hill agreed that CAU students do have
access to the Women's Health Clinic,
which is no longer called Planned
Parenthood. "Due to insufficient funds,
we can't service the community.
However, the clinic does issue condoms
and birth control pills to students, but
cannot afford to give everyone a
through examination, "she explained.
To further explain their
situation, she said that it costs $130,000
to operate the clinic and only $28,000 is
given by the state.
In regards to the tennis courts,
Dr. Earvin said that they only have two
courts and the Spelman tennis team is
given first priority. He added that the
same would be true here if we had tennis
courts.
"The tennis courts are open to
our students, but try to put 1,800
students on two courts," Dr. Earvin
stated. He added that it was virtually
impossible to put all of the students on
two tennis courts at CAU.
Dr. Hill said that she fears that
most people are intolerant. "We
complain about White people being
intolerant, but we as Blacks are
intolerant of each other," she said.
In addition, she said that if
Spelman students acted negative toward
CAU students she would be deeply hurt.
"There is no such thing as a
center. We don’t operate as a center or
act as one," said Dr. Hill.
She said that to make the center
a reality students must appreciate each
other and learn about themselves.
"This is the same student body
that has unity dances and marches. So
you're going to tell me you don't want
your sisters to stay on our campus when
they have no other place io stay, said
Dr. Earvin. .It just doesn't jive."