Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

iRuniai An independent student newspaper serving the CAU community bringing the * • • News to you. Volume III Number XVI Atlanta , Georgia March 27, 1992 Hooks Speaks at CAU's First Consolidation Convocation By Veronica Fields Editor-In-Chief America’s political state, educa tional policies and state of the black community were the topics of Dr. Benjamin Hooks’ address to the Clark Atlanta University family dur ing consolidation week. Hooks, executive director of the National Association for the Ad vancement of Colored People, was the guest speaker at CAU’s first consolidation celebration convoca tion on March 19. The ceremony was held to com memorate the unification of it’s parent institutions Clark College (CC) and Atlanta University (AU) on July 1, 1988. Dr. Hooks stated that few could have seen what would become of this university when it was founded. He said that when he looks back at the humble beginnings of CC and AU and sees where the university is now, the phrase “I’ll find a way or make one,” still holds today. Clark College, founded in 1869 and Atlanta University, founded in 1965 were started a few years after the emancipation of enslaved blacks according to Dr. Hooks, who was amazed at how four million black people could have the desire to build higher institutions. He stated that they did more with nothing that we do with something and that we are the beneficiaries of those who did what they did. When discussing America’s po litical arena, the civil rights leader said that if you took the brains of PHOTO BY LAKESHA GAGE Pictured above, Raymond Street and Beckwith Streets, the area on which the campus attacks took place. Pictured above, Benjamin L. Hooks speaking the people on the U. S. Supreme Court and put them in the body of a bird, the bird would fly back wards. He talked about the state of black America and said that some thing is speaking to us from the past. He said that crime, drugs and violence do exist and that these problems will never be solved un less they are discussed. “The lead ing cause of death of young black men is by another black man,” said Dr. Hooks. He quoted Muslim leader Elijah Muhammed saying, “No one can save us from us but us.” The audience was told, “It is stu pid to hate white people because they are white. If you do that, then they have the right to think of blacks in the same way.” There have been four executive directors of the NAACP, and two of them, James Weldon Johnson and Walter White had ties to CC. On an educational standpoint, he said that it is important for young people to learn mathematics and the sciences. He said that blacks Campus By Kesha Moorefield Copy Editor Recently, attacks in front of the Communication Arts Center have caused concern for student and faculty safety. On March 16, ClarkAtlanta Uni versity freshman, Frank Robinson, was assaulted as he tried to get into his cdr parked across the street from the building. The student, who volunteers as a production assis tant for shows taped at the campus television studio, was leaving with a friend around 5:30 p.m. prior to the incident. PHOTO BY LAKESHA GAGE to CAU at the convocation. cannot turn their backs on educa tion by saying that this subject or that subject will not benefit me in any way. “You are spitting on your own grave when you refuse to learn. Do not look back to the pyramids and forget that we landed on the moon.” He said that we as a race must understand the deprivation our people went through and not get mad, but get smart. “Do not be bitter ‘For whom the Gods would destroy, they first made man.’” “Those to which much is given, much is expected,” said Dr. Hooks. At a small press conference after ward, Dr. Hooks said that Pat Buchanan, who is running for the Republican nomination, is pitiful and that his platform is racist and is not in the best interest of this countiy. Dr. Hooks said that as head of the NAACP he could not endorse a presi dential candidate, but thinks that blacks will overwhelmingly vote Democratic. He said that Paul Tsongas’ par- Attacks Two adolescents passing the men as they walked to their cars, com mented on the car radio Robinson was carrying. One of them said that’s a nice pull-out radio. “Probably high school students,” Robinson replied to his friend as they continued walking. He had taken the radio out of the car to prevent someone from stealing it. At this time, the person walking with Robinson had gotten into his truck and left him alone. As the victim was approaching his car, he noticed agroup of young boys stand ing at the comer of Raymond and Beckwith Streets. continued on page 2. ticipation in the Democratic race helped elevate it and that Bill Clinton has a lot to think about as far as the black community is concerned. In light of his recent announce ment to retire from his position as executive director, Dr. Hooks said, “Fifteen years is a long time. I am 67 years old and I’ll be pushing up roses pretty soon and I’d like to smell some of them first.” He decided to do as little as pos sible with the decision of a new person to replace him but said that if the board asks him for help he will. Responding to an article in the Feb. 23, issue of The Atlanta Jour nal Constitution that the NAACP, “has become a stagnant social club for aging marchers,” Dr. Hooks said that the organization has always been a target of criticism. “There have always been critics,” Dr. Hooks said. “Critics thought that the world was flat when it was really round. We’ve never been worldwide accepted. I doubt if they really know what we are doing.” The NAACP “will continue on the platform they are on now,” said Dr. Hooks. “We will not abandon our historic fight. We will not flinch. The NAACP will be moving forward for all people.” As part of the consolidation cel ebration, the Philharmonic Society, under the direction of Thomas D. Hager, sang "Reign, ClarkAtlanta," one of the three songs proposed as the CAU Alma Mater. The text was written by C. Eric Lincoln and ar ranged by Roland M. Carter. \ The Insider An Energy Boost Attacks continued 2 Haitian Refugees DeKlerk and South Africa 4 Hot Responses The Beast Beware 5 Sooooul Train A Play Thing 6 Words of Glover 7 Panther Men Fall Ladies End Season ^ V )