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The Clark Atlanta University Panther
February 14, 1994
What ever happened to the holiday spirit?
By Ed Blakemore
Editorial Editor
As I take the time to reflect upon
this past holiday season I cannot
help but sit with my mouth agape
due to the inundation of kindness in
the United States. If I had just
arrived in America during the time
between Thanksgiving and the New
Year, I might mistakenly believe
that the citizens of this country truly
cared about one another.
I hope most of you realize that,
for the most part, generosity has
nothing to do with the conduct of
the United States. Everyone seems
to suddenly get a heart once the hol
idays arise. If this spirit and desire
to help others was ever sustained for
an entire year, many individuals
lives could be altered for the better.
But, that would probably make too
much sense. The more sense things
make, the less likely they are to be
in accordance with the aims of our
society.
It is rather interesting when
eleven months of the year, most
people, ignore charities, community
service, or problems like homeless
ness. But as soon as the Macy’s
Thanksgiving Day Parade and It’s a
Wonderful Life are shown everyone
finds some compassion for others
less fortunate. December seems to
be the month where love for one’s
fellow man is acceptable and even,
popular.
How many times have any of you
seen a politician, sports figure, news
anchor, or just an ordinary person
take time out of their day to help
anyone unless it was required?
Society has made the holidays the
only time when giving of oneself is
of the essence.
The only problem is that those
persons being helped need this
assistance every day of the year.
People don’t uplift themselves from
poverty with help for a mere month.
These people’s problems are year
round. Unfortunately, few realize or
care that homelessness, poverty and
hunger occur every day and not
solely in December.
Somehow people must get the
message across that helping others
should not just be a matter of conve
nience for the giver. Doing whatev
er one can for those less fortunate is
of paramount importance if we ever
hope to arrest the rising rate of dis
enfranchised individuals in this
country. I guess that would take
some incentive from an American
public and we all know that only
appears when there is something for
someone to gain.
Letter to the Editor
What Does The CAU Logo
Represent- Progression Or
igression?
D
Dear Editor,
I joined Clark Atlanta University (CAU) after the consolidation in 1988 and I feel
that I am a Clark Atlantan. I have a concern about the different logos for CAU that are
displayed on the campus and the university’s stationery/business cards. My concern
is, which U of the CAU logo represents this university?
One of the U’s is a forward U.
Forward- At, near, belonging to or located in the front; going, or moving
toward a position. Going, tending, or moving toward a position in the front.
Presumptuous, bold. Progressive, especially technologically, politically, or economi
cally. Mentally, physically, or socially advanced; precocious.
The other U is a backward U.
Backward- In the direction opposite of forward, rear end first. In reverse
order or direction. To a worse condition. Into the past. Behind others, as in economic
or social progress. Unprogressive, reactionary. Directed or moving toward the rear.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth D. Thurman
Administrative Secretary
Department of Mathematical Sciences
Taking the history out, and putting the black in
By T.C.G,
Staff Writer
In 1926, Carter Woodson founded
Black History Week to recognize the
achievements of Black Americans.
In 1994, some 68 years later, this week-
long celebration has turned into a month
long fiasco.
This is not to knock the concept of pay
ing homage to our ancestors who paved the
way for us.
This is to critique the execution of the
idea and how it is being received in our
lives today.
The whole thought behind Black History
Month has steered left of its original mean
ing anH'frie.shed A n tot hat big melting pot
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called commercialism or “the American
way.”
In full recognition of our dollars, adver
tisements suddenly appear in black maga
zines and newspapers featuring black mod
els, who only can land a job for 28 days
out of 365 day year.
We are bombarded with posters, flyers,
books, and celebrity gatherings which are
all shoved down our throats until we gag
on March 1.
And the children, the poor children.
How they must endlessly rehearse con
stantly to screech and giggle through “Lift
Every Voice and Sing” songs, forget lines
in Harriet Tubman plays, and yawn
through “I Have a Dream” speeches.
Black History Month has no significance.
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What it has is economic wealth. We have
waited for others to tell us it is important,
and continue to pour money into their
pockets for it.
What if we refused to acknowledge
February as the time we rejoice over our
history and past. What would happen to
us- would we be sent to jail?
Would insecure men dressed in bed
sheets surround your yard burning their
emblem of Christian love while calling you
a hate monger of your own people.
Or, would you be whipped and chained
to a log to starve until you learned to mind
your place, of course not.
Yet, our ancestors went through these tri
als to retain not just civil rights, but human
dignity, — -• . ■
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We have now attained enough dignity
that we can reject 28 days, the shortest
month of the year, knowing that it will not
hurt or lessen our dignity, but might cause
a few people to go bankrupt.
That is the power we control.
Collectively, it can bring down walls big
ger and greater than Berlin; separately, it
forms roadblocks and pot holes bigger and
greater than the judicial system in
America.
Is there a need for black history month in
1994? Yes, there is a strong need for it.
Instead of calling it Black History
Month, make it shorter- call it Black
History Day and celebrate it everydayand
learn something new about our culture, our
ancestry, and our past.
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