Newspaper Page Text
February 17, 1982 / The Maroon Tiger /Page 5
Letters To The Editor
Reaching Out
My dear brothers of Morehouse;
While sitting here in this room, which
has sheltered many of our brothers who
have passed on, I was moved to write you
this letter, I am writing in reference to our
title as "Morehouse Men.’’ I wish that you
would seriously think about the meaning
and impact that it carries. I stress the latter
because you must be a man first before
Behavior Unacceptable
This letter is in reference to the
despicable, appalling and asinine
behavior displayed at the Sophomore
Class Dating Game.
It was not sad enough that the
Morehouse students acted in such an
atrocious manner but that Spelman
“Sisters” also participated in the ridicule
and disrespect of one of their fellow
sisters.
I ask you Morehouse students if it were
you sitting on the stage that night would
you can represent Morehouse.
I cannot hold back the tears as I think of
the homosexual and bisexual individuals
that are a part of this institution. I write to
you out of love and concern, not of hate
and contempt. During my two years of
attending Morehouse, I have observed
this problem existing and recently
becoming greater. It disturbs me to see
this cancerous evil set in and strip young,
gifted black men of their God - given
you have appreciated the conduct that
you yourself displayed? Would the cruel
remarks and taunts have been so funny
then? I ask you Spelman “Sisters” have we
descended to such a level that in order to
entertain ourselves we must degrade one
of our own?
If the actions displayed on Feb. 11 atthe
Sophomore Class Dating Game are any
indication of the quality of students who
attend Morehouse and Spelman I fear
that these institutions are headed for ruin.
Lora Mitchell
Spelman
“...My Own Daughter...Flunking The Crest Test...!”
Are We A College Community?
by Paul Dillard
As I' sat in the cafeteria last week,
seeking solace in the midst of absolute
chaos, I thought about the future of “Dear
Old Morehouse” and the men who have
yet to pass through her cherished gates. I
determined that there must be a connec
tion, dialetically, between “the inner
detail and the whole”. I determined that
the present state of the college, and the
composition of its academic divisions,
would necessarily impact on the future
progress and success of this institution.
I have been looking very closely at the
attitudinal make - up of the Class of 1985.
Let’s take a sharp look at the attempt, a
group of supposedly marginally in
telligent gentlement, to desecrate the
image of Black womanhood. These
psuedo - creative brothers colloborated
to put together a list of 15 Spelman
College women whom they perceived to
be lessthantheir self - imposed standards,
it was not, however, a reflection of what
these men thought of Black women, but,
rather what they think of themselves. “No
man is an island," it’s commonly said, and
such a base mentality seems to suggest an
existent difficulty by some to deal with the
reality of community. Where then, is
Morehouse College going, if herstudents
cannot respect themselves or their
counterparts. This all forms an interesting
paradox to the celebration of the foun
ding of Morehouse College, and the joy
of expectantcy we feel as we reflect on the
historical implications of our mission.
As I sat, I began to have ansillory
thoughts about whether Black men had
any conception of their responsibility to
themselves or to each other. My mind
then recalled words that I had recently
read in Responsible Freedom by L. Harold
Dewolf: “Every person ought to form and
choose all of his ideals and values in
loyalty to his ideals of what the whole
community ought to become; and when
possible to participate responsibly in
groups to help them similarily form and
choose all their ideals and values.” It is
that sense of community, that is now
pushed to the brink of ultimate destruc
tion, that has been the primary founda
tion for “a century of service building
men.” DeWolf, makes another essential
point about the ideal of community: “This
principle leaves open for every individual
the obligation and privilege of forming his
own ideal of what the whole community
ought to become. It assures that he does
not have the right to attempt life as an
isolated individual.”
(What will happen, if concerned
Morehouse brothers do not engage in an
attempt to neutralize this air of destruc
tiveness and lack of self respect?) I could
hear, as I sat in the Chivers Dining Hall
amidst the fervor of immaturity and a
sense of regression, the words of Howard
Thurman: "Do not make God repent for
having created you”.
sexual attraction to women. However, I
must say that there are some fine ex
amples of MEN among us on this campus,
but my heart bleeds tonight for those
others.
You might ask what business is it of
mine, I say to you that I am my brother’s
keeper - the things you do are my
concern. You might ask me how do I
know this problem exists, I say to you -
“Ways and actions speak louder than
words." Not only is it morally wrong, but
spiritually wrong as well.
I pray for the day when "men of
Morehouse" will rise up and live aout the
true meaning of ther name. As a child of
God and your brother, I beg of you to
ponder upon this thought. God madeyou
men - be that in everything you do.
Love in Christ
your friend and brother,
Horace Griffin
Reclaiming the Past and
Preparing for the Future
by Frank P. Flores
February is black history month. It is a time when we take a look back into the past
and find promise for the future. It is also a time for rekindling ways and trends of
thought. During this month we take time to look at our existence here on this planet.
We take both good and bad into account and predict possible changes for the future.
Although we have only one month designated to do this, the spirit of reflection and
projection should be going throughout our lives.
All Afro - Americans are the products of years of trials and tribulations. We were
stripped of what we had and not stand on the foundation set by our African forefathers.
The African people taken from there great land were thrown into the shackles of
slavery and oppression. They had to run twice the distance in half the time. They faced
many obstacles and hurdles in order to pave the road we walk today.
These great people were exemplary of the land from which they were taken. Africa
was indeed a great land where inteliigence was held highly and where the thirst for
knowledge was never quenched. Leo Africanus, whose knowledge of sub - Saharan
Africa was profound wrote: “In Tembuktu there are numerous judges, doctors, and
clerks all receiving good salaries from the King. He pays great respect to men of
learning. There is a big demand for books in manuscript... More profit is made from the
book trade than from any other line of business. Timbuktu and the greatness it
contained in it’s boundaries is a clear example of just what Africa was prior to slavery;
and land of people over run with a thirst for knowledge.
As Afro - Americans we should never lose those values that were held in our great
mother land Africa. We cannot afford the luxury of converting these values which were
held by our African forefathers. We should be eager to learn all we can, read everything
we get our hands on, and have a unquenched thirstfor knowledge. Don’t rest until you
know why, what, when, and how. Be curious about the unknown and careful with the
certain. Be slow with the tongue and quick with thought. Walk with the courage of a
warrior but always battle with the mind, for there lies the greater challenge.
Finally, in this that is proclaimed black history month, reclaim that which is yours, the
values of your forefathers and the legends and tragedies of days gone by; Never
forgetting the path that our forefathers have paved and the one we must.
Satirical Look At
Gloster Hall
by Willard (Chuck) Lewis
Tuesdays have traditionally been my day
for putting all homework aside to take
care of my business, such as washing my
clothes, washing my car, shopping, going
to the bank, and taking an unspeakable
trip to that land of mystery and horror, the
land of awe and intrigue — GLOSTER
HALL!
I can remember a gloomy Tuesday in
November, when I dared to venture out
in the Georgia cold to the hallowed hall.
There was freezing rain under the gray
skies as I bravely fought the elements,
hoping that this visit would not be as
terrifying as my last. Oh the grusome
stories that I Have witnessed: Second
semester seniors being told that they
need thirty more hours to graduate,
remedial reading raising its rancid head to
devour some unsuspecting soul, and the
infamy that goes on behind the closed
doors of the Financial Aid Office.
On this particularTuesday I entered the
Gloster Hall at 10:00 and was greeted by
familar foe - a stagnant line! However, this
being my third year at Morehouse I have-
learned to defeat this nemsis by develop
ing a strong since of patience (for we all
know patience is a virtue), but since I did
not desperately need to go to the cashier’s
office, for which the line was for. I passed,
the line and went into the businessoffice.
But when I walked in, there was no one
there, and I knew at this point I was in the
middle of another Gloster Hall adventure.
So I was carefully searching the
deserted office in quest of someone who
could help my cause, when I accidently
stumbled into the cashier’s office - my
search was over. There the Business
Office and the Cashiers Office employees
were breaking bread over nice hot,
pleasant cups of Sanka. The scene was so
quaint and peaceful that I just could not
bring myself to interupt it. So I left the
Office and fought my way back through
the crowded outer entrance, back
through the cold rain, to my room where I
immediately got in the bed, pulled the
covers as far over my head as possible and
screamed as loud as I could!