Newspaper Page Text
February 28. 1994
L2
The
Clark Atlanta University
anther
Tara C. Gunter/Editor-In-Chief
K.A. White/Business Manager
Ed Blakemore/Editorial Editor
Commentary
Now that Black
History Month is
almost over, we hope
you, the
reader, will accept
our challenge. Our
challenge is to spread
the knowledge gained
during the month
throughout the rest of
this year. Without
knowledge, there can
be no power.
Staff
News: 880-8077
News Assistant: Lisa Flanagan
Features Editor: Chandra Thomas
Features Assistants: Stacy Adams,
Tarsha Burton
Entertainment Photographer: Rondre
Summerville
Personals Editor: Kimathi Lewis
Photography Editor: Rondre
Summerville
Graphics Editor: Jamal Caliste
Adviser: Sabbaye McGriff
Business
Business Manager: K.A. White
Advertising
Advertising Manager: Franchella
Slater
National Advertising Rep.:
Redelia Shaw
Local Advertising Rep.: Alex
Waldron
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are the opinions of the writers and
do not reflect the ideas or opinions
of The Panther staff. All rights
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Why
do We Continue
ettle for Crumbs?
to S
By Ed Blakemore
Editorial Editor
That’s right, it’s time
to have that yearly com
mentary discussing Black
History Month and
whether or not it serves a
true purpose.
Some people argue
that it teaches about
black culture.
Unfortunately,
from a holistic perspec
tive, it does not.
The majority of the
coverage during the
month refers to the rela
tively mainstream figures
in black history.
Interestingly enough, fig
ures who had opinions
which are not well
received today are very
seldom profiled.
The month does not
plow any new ground for
persons who are even
relatively educated about
history in America. How
many times have you
heard about Harriet
Tubman or Garrett
Morgan? A more impor
tant question may be
when was the last time
you heard about Marcus
Garvey, Nat Turner, or
Bobby Seale?
This month also
allows for various per
sons who are not black to
make money off of our
community. The reason
February has become so
popular is because white
people can make money
off commercializing the
event. The various
movies, merchandise,
and television specials
are almost all white
funded.
Blacks should not
need a black history
month. We should be
aware of the significant
contributions of our cul
ture and not need a
reminder from the estab
lishment that we are
important. Of course, I
am overlooking its func
tion as a time when all
the old heads of the Civil
Rights Movement can
reminisce about their
past accomplishments.
For one of the first
times in my career, I will
agree with the conserva
tive white opinion on a
matter. There is no
month which celebrates
other minority cultures.
America, due to the
struggle of several indi
viduals, has recognized
some of the accomplish
ments of African-
Americans but has, as of
yet, failed to recognize
the significant contribu
tions of Fatin Americans,
Asians, and Native
Americans. They, con
trary to popular opinion,
have also been oppressed
and contributed exten
sively to this country.
We tend to forget that we
do not have a monopoly
on subjugation. It could
even be argued that
Native Americans have
suffered more than any
of the aforementioned
groups.
Black History Month
represents another crumb
which Black America is
more than willing to
accept from the United
States power structure.
Jewish persons don’t
have a month of their
own but have more
recogniton and power in
this society than any
other minority.
Recognition of a
group correlates directly
with one’s power in a
society. If Black
America truly wanted to
change its disenfran
chised status, in almost
every category, we
would take lessons from
the Jewish and learn that
if a group unifies on an
issue more important
than the taste of fried
chicken, their voices
would be heard and con
cerns acted upon by
those in power because
those views represent a
threat to established
norms.
So You Wanna be Hard?
By T.C.G.
Staff Writer
“Before, you was a nerd
and nobody ever hear ofya.
Now, you wanna be hard,
You barely know your abc's- child please. ”
UNITY
Queen Latifah
College gangstas. Ruffnecks. Around the way girls.
The AUC has become a place for hardknock wannabees.
When did this happen? Everyone is wearing combat boots,
flannel shirts, bandannas and jeans big enough for tree
stalks. Trying to be the epitome of hard. But what is hard?
The dictionary defines hard as:
1. Resistant to pressure; not readily penetrated;
firm.
2. Physically toughened; rugged.
b. Mentally toughened, strong minded.
3. Intense in force or degree: a hard blow.
4. Difficult to endure: a hard life
5. Harsh or Severe in intention or effect
6. Causing damage
7. Troublesome
8. Difficult to understand or convey
9. Erect; tumid.
That was Webster’s version. However, a dictionary cannot
explain this fad that is plaguing us. A fad that is being car
ried too far.
Blacks have always complained about whites who steal
our culture. But what about the perpetrators, the middle
and upper class blacks- most who cannot even closely
identify with the ghetto or the lives of the people who exist
there, yet try and act as if they have been bom and raised
there. Are they not just as guilty as their white counter
parts who commercialize and sell out this unique culture?
Then, for students to bring it to college and use the
excuse of trying to stay real or true to yourself. Whatever
happened to “It’s not where you from, it’s where you at.”
By buying into this quick image, that we believe epito
mizes being a brother or a sister, not only mocks our
naivete, but disrespects those who live the reality. And to
wear this expensive 'hard' image must put a huge dent in
the check book, credit card, wallet or purse strings.
That is why some of us get so mad if you step on our
Dock Martin’s because they cost an arm and a leg- still
hey, that’s being hard.
That’s why some of us pimp-stroll down James P.
Brawley Drive and dare someone to say something, “Let
me step aside, You got it my brother.”- still hey, that’s
being hard.
That’s why some of us will walk on top of you and not
say “excuse me”- still hey, that’s being hard.
That’s why some of us will call you a dog before we
call you a human- still hey, that’s being hard.
That’s why some of us call each other "n"-names, the
same names our ancestors last heard before the noose was
tied-still hey, that’s being hard.
That’s why some of us ride around in our expensive
cars, that mommie or daddy bought, playing our ghetto
jams with the Donkey songs and the Gangsta Leans- still
hey, that’s being hard.
And that’s why some of us walk past University Homes
in our gear, strutting our "hard" image and ignore the chil
dren who’s playground is the hard street we step on- just
trying to stay real we say.
But whose definition of real are we succumbing to?
What is your view? We want to know what you
think about this editorial, so we can publish your
thoughts in our March 28 issue. Call 880-8077
and leave a message.