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THE MAROON TIGER Page Sixty-nine Student Leadership In The Existing 1 Social Order B. U. Norris, ’27 Student leadership is becoming a more active force in our social order. There is a prevailing tendency upon the part of society to feel self- satisfied in the plight, which we find ourselves in. The limits of social progress are not definable. We awake to find ourselves as a part of a group life with traditious and conventionalities as motive springs to action. Many things are binding on the group simply as a matter of cus tom. Social relationships are interpreted and lived out largely on the basis of ideals, which have as their roots, many past experiences of questionable character. Passing thru such a machine-like process, our social life becomes a drudgery. There is need for a spirit which will create initiative and break thru the icy wall of traditions. Student leadership is to a large ex tent acting as an exponent of this spirit, which does not mean the reversal of everything which we have, but it does mean the over-throw of everything evil that is rated and accepted as good under the “caption,” custom. Society must always have an urge for reconstruction or pro gress will be impossible. Student opinion is being felt all over the world as never before through different agencies. De spite critical comments, public opinion is being swayed in some of its phases by what students are thinking and doing. Conscientions objec tors do not stand in the way, as there seems to be a longing for activity and the determination to seek an outlet for pent-up powers, which have been held in reserve by students. Student opinion is no more a matter of folly. What students are thinking is in some respects being adopted by governments as the ruling prin ciple. Statesmen are beginning to feel that the out-lawing of war and other acts of psendo-good- ness are not the result of misguided visions and uncontrollable impulses of youth. There is a wave of sincerety sweeping over all schools, because of the atmosphere, which is be ing created by the student movement. Such a spirit was clearly shown in the flight of the Hardings from Chicago and the Fieldstras from Ann Arbor, Michigan to the south, in the interest of the student cause. They came because of urgent impelling motives seeking improvement of the present social order. Contact with them evidenced an appealing spirit for making our practices conform more to our principles. They came with zeal as was shown by the manner in which they made their way thru the country, ex posing themselves to perils which are incident to all such trips. Their purpose was bigger than any dangers which might threaten them. A number of student conferences were held during their stay in the city. The students manifested a great interest in the meetings, as most of them knew of the reputation of Glenn Harding as a leader of student thought. In the conference at Morehouse, many important find ings were brought out which revealed the neces sary point of view for bringing in the ideal social order. Soul force and good-will were recom mended as the means to an end for settling our problems. Love was brought forward as a weapon which would conquer the most powerful of enemies. In the conference at Atlanta University, the discussion centered around the meaning of love and the results which would follow from a strong er application of this principle to our group life. Ghandi’s slogan of passive resistance which was interpreted as active assistance, was presented to the group. Mr. Harding emphasized that the only practical solution to our never-ending prob lems is wrapped up in the willingness of each in dividual to make this love principle a reality in his own life and a display of it in his treatments of others. The idea of craving for wealth was severely criticized. It was urged that we could control the acts of others by hitching our wagons to this ideal of love and our following would auto matically come as a result of our work. Students sought for a clear understanding on everything which was brought forward. In spite of all that was said, fundamental values were presented for the purifying of human re lationships. Idealism may become fanciful as many phases of it are, however its practical as pects represent the hopes of the ages and this is where our challenge comes in. The ideal of the student movement is in a final sense a problem to be worked out by each student. It would be tragic to lose sight of the ideal, however, difference of opinion regarding the method for pursuing the ideal, is of minor im portance. The materialistic trend of the age must not hinder the realization of a spiritual life for bringing into play a real spirit of fellow-ship between man and man. We do not live by bread alone and the higher values of life can only be secured by the development of spiritual faculties for the exercise of them. We need to mould more constructive social attitudes into our lives in a personal way. The problem of racial differences is not in an ultimate sense of a racial nature, but it is a personal problem. What students are thinking is no more a neg ligible quantity. We are a part of the body politic and we owe it a service. Rally to the student movement and choose an avenue for pre serving and multiplying the good in humanity. * * * * A group of interested students has been meet ing regularly for several weeks in order to discuss the question concerning the racial, social, politi cal and economic status of Africa as relating to the native.—The question arose as to what con tribution can the American Negro make toward the mollification of the grievous conditions of the natives. * * * * THE “M” CLUB The end of the basketball season ushered into the “M” club five new members. Manager Childs received his managerial letter. Ahmed Brown and Dobbs as forwards; “Dad” Crawford and How ard Archer, Jr., (fifth basketball letter) as guards; Nelson Archer as center received the highly respected “M”. Dobbs was elected to lead the quintet next year.