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Page 5* THE MAROON TIGER* Wednesday, January 20, 1993
COMMENTARY
Letters to the Editor
“Truth is proper and beautiful in all times and in all places.”
Fredrick Douglas
If Fredrick Douglas’s words ring true, then this campus has seen a
whole lot of ugly when it comes to news about the Morehouse College Student
Government Association. Since the very onset of the semester, certain individu
als have sought to become gold medalists in the sport of jumping to conclusions,
running around the truth, and throwing objectivity out the window. More
positive minded brothers might have directed an equal amount of energy toward
rushing to give assistance, pitching in to help, or maybe even digging up the truth
and chasing down some facts.
It seems that there is a small, but vocal, cluster of voices on this campus that are
stuck in a kind of “tabloid mentality.” Not to say our student publications as a
whole should be looked upon as “The Maroon Enquirer” or the “Muddy Fist,”
but Nikki Giovanni wrote “if now isn’t a good time for the truth, I don’t see when
we’ll get it.” Some brothers may not have any time for the truth in their
schedules, but there is a strong need to make room for the truth right now.
In digging for this truth, several questions begin to finally leap into the open.
If you have nothing to add to the pot, do you really have the right to vigorously
criticize those who do? And when criticism constantly spews from the same
sources, isn’t there some point at which the motives of the sources come into
question? Are we witnessing true concern for the condition of the student
government at Morehouse, or just the antics of small minded brothers trying to
settle old scores. Personal vendettas under the guise of righteous vigilance are
becoming par for the course when it comes to MOrehouse politics. Why is it
something we are willing to tolerate?
No one would ever claim that the Student Government Association is beyond
reproach. Any student organization is going to have a flaw from time to time.
But anyone who honestly believes that those involved in the S.G.A. are content
to let those flaws grow and fester, are either seriously deluded or engaging in
wishful thinking. What is the profit in inefficiency? Does the Student Govern
ment Organization reap any benefits by being shoddy and incompetent? A better
question is, who stands to gain by making the S.G.A. appear that way. Prosperity
and achievement are things that all campus organizations aspire to, and the
Morehouse Student Government Association is no different. The officers and
staff of the S.G.A. have put in long hours with very little credit asked for or given.
Constructive criticism is always useful, but if someone is not down to get
involved and help to change the situation...so be it. Just stay out of the way of
those who are. Don’t try to put a foot in the S.G.A.’s back just to attract more
readers or gamer more votes come election time this April.
It’s always easier to sit on the side lines and pick at an organization. Those who
choose simply to Monday-moming-quarterback, deserve no medals. Instead,
save any applause for those persons who seek to support and change a body from
within. If a house is on fire, it’s the stronger brother who tries to put out the flames
from the inside. What we have here is people with lesser spirit and intentions,
throwing matches from the outside. And even though the S.G.A. is not in a dire
state of disrepair, there are persons on campus who seem to be anxious to send
Student Government on its way, always ready to prop themselves up by standing
on their brother’s backs. The Student Government Association may not yet be
where we as a student body would like it to be, but only the truly mislead or
uninformed could say that the “upper echelon of leadership” is not doing its job.
Let this be the year that we get up from the funk of dwarf-minded rumor. As
students we need to aspire to grander things than finger pointing, foot shuffling,
and head scratching. Surely wrong is wrong, but there is no need to be caught
up in scratching for dirt that no one pays any heed to the good that goes on. Only
vermin flock to filth. Strive to be a Man of the House, not a cockroach.
WHY BLACK MEN
TEND TO FAIL
By Ed Blakemore
The title sounds rather intriguing
doesn’t it? I have frequently thought
about why black men tend to fail so
much more than most other men. I
hope this editorial can probe further
into why this is so.
I will bring out the most common
argument first: racism/discrimination.
I realize that racism does exist in
America. Unfortunately, I see racism
used as an excuse for people who do
little or nothing. I realize that racism
can keep you out of certain jobs or
promotions. Black America hear me
loud and clear: ALL WHITES ARE
NOT RACIST. Through personal ex
perience I have met many blacks who
don’t get a job because “the man” is
keeping them down. The man can’t
keep you down unless you allow him
to. Perseverance is the key to survival
in America. There are plenty of oppor
tunities, in existence, in the United
States. Take advantage of each and
every opportunity you can. We all
know that as black men we are, at
birth, written off as failures by society,
but that does not mean that we have to
fall into such a predestined trap.
Another very important factor to con
sider is environment. The environ
ment prevalent in most black commu
nities is one of few positive role mod
els. Drug dealers are the only ones
making the money everyone aspires to
have. Even when there are some posi
tive role models, how can they con
vince children to be a teacher or a
doctor when they’ve never seen one
succeed in their community. Also,
black fathers are a disproportionately
non-existent entity. Anyone who has
gone through puberty can assist in the
conception of a child. A true man will
remain afterward to do everything pos
sible for their child. Since the father
runs like the irresponsible individual
that he is, the mother has to play the
roleofboth parents. Strangely enough,
she can’t run away from the problem
as easily.- With little exception, pov
erty reigns. Is that any type of an
environment for a child? The child
grows up seeing very few people tri
umph at anything legal. Of course, he
begins a life of crime because that is all
he ever sees. If he does not end up
being a criminal then he becomes an
inert individual in the community. He
may even start to abuse drugs because
that is another practice he always sees.
Contrary to what may be perceived,
there are very few if any, positive
qualities about the ghetto. Very few
people ever transcend such a milieu to
make something of themselves.
The black church used to unify our
community. What ever happened to
it? I know plenty of people who still
attend but are not serious about it. It
seems as though the black family has
become apathetic concerning the
church. Many who used to openly
praise the lord do not show up any
more unless it is Easter or Christmas.
Of those who do attend, many times it
is for the purpose of a Sunday morning
fashion show. The pastor is looked
upon as just another person instead of
a role model.
An additional entity at fault for the
demise of the black male is society. In
the eyes of most of society, black males
are looked upon as unintelligent and/
or indolent. Why do you think that
almost all of the black males that you
see are athletes or entertainers? Black
males have lost their focus because of
society. White America has imposed
their females as a status symbol. Black
men (Clarence Thomas, Charles
Barkley) have latched on to them as
soon as they become successful. It’s
all about assimilation, folks. Black
males want to assimilate into White
America so they are not connected
with the acts/behavior of their true
people. Once they have been assimi
lated, they lose their perspective. Once
the perspective is lost, they are elected
to a prominent position. By now, they
have forgotten their origin and sud
denly racism no longer exists.
I want to save my community. I am
trying to use the talents I have to uplift
the status of my people. Are any of you
ready for such a commitment? I’m
sorry, I almost forgot that I was talking
to people who actually cared or had an
opinion on something. I seemed to
have forgotten that I attend a school
where most of the people haven’t seen
their community in so long that they
would be lost there. If changes are not
enacted soon, the future of the black
male does not look bright.
HOW TO HAVE RACIAL HARMONY
By T.J. Campbell
Arthtir J.H. Phillips
S.G.A. Recording Secretary
Dear Editor:
There is a tried and proven way that people of different races and ethnic groups
can live in peace and harmony: Live by the Golden Rule.
This begins by accepting and honoring the simple truth that it is normal and
righteous for people to have pride in and a preference for their own race in social
and intimate relations, for race is an extension of one’s family.
We do unto others as we would have them do unto us in our race relations when
we have a high regard for all races; when we harmoniously work together, and
cooperate for mutual well-being; but never insult another one’s racial heritage
nor do anything to adulterate their distinctions.
This understanding, demonstrated by mutual respect, good manners and
helpfulness, brings racial harmony and lasting good will.
If religious leaders, the media and others want to bring peace and harmony, they
will urge everyone to live by the Golden Rule.
T.J. Campbell
Our race problem is caused by mali
ciously promoted misunderstanding.
The solution? Religious leaders and
the media need only to declare the
truth about how people of different
races can live in harmony.
We know that our’s is a pluralistic
country of different races and ethnic
groups. Therefore everyone should
understand and accept the simple truth
that it is normal and righteous for people
to have pride in and a preference for
their own race in social and intimate
relations, and this should be honored.
It is a contradiction to acknowledge
this pluralism, then scheme and try to
promote interracial mingling, dating,
marriage and miscegenation, as some
TV shows, movies and other “social
change” pushers are doing.
Take special note that the focus of
their “social change” plot is directed
primarily at blacks and whites. The
notion is put forth that unless blacks
and whites intimately fraternize they
cannot have understanding and friend
liness between them.
By contrast, in the Atlanta area there
are three Jewish Community Centers,
a Hellenic (Greek) Center, a Chinese
Center, plus social centers of other
racial groups, and none of these should
abandon their exclusiveness and con
glomerate with others. Why not? Why
this hypocrisy?
With Christians, they are supposed to
follow the example of Jesus Christ.
When he was on earth as a mortal,
Jesus lived among His own race, he
observed their customs, enjoyed their
culture and chose all twelve of His
disciples from among His people.
Thus, as mortal man, and Lord and
Savior of all, He affirmed that a special
affinity and fondness for one’s own is
indeed normal and admirable, for race
is an extension of one’s family.
Sadly, many Christians, and others,
have been confused and misled about
this by the humanists and atheists, who
have great influence in the mass media
and Hollywood-style entertainment.
They have twisted the all-inclusive
ness of His salvation and the Christian
Unity of Spirit into also meaning ra
cial, genetic sameness with their ab
surd talk of “no difference.”
Certainly there are racial differences,
and it is commendable to have pride in
the distinctiveness of one’s own race,
to honor all who have pride in their’s
and everyone avoid intimate fraterniz
ing that might be perceived as encour
aging the adulteration of their race.
We do unto others as we would have
them do unto us in our race relations
when we have high regard forallraces;
when we harmoniously work together,
and cooperate for mutual well-being;
but never insult anyone’s racial heri
tage, nor do anything to adulterate
their distinctions.
This understanding, demonstrated by
mutual respect, good manners and help
fulness, brings racial harmony and last
ing good will.
Religious leaders and the media
should proclaim this tried and proven
way people of different races can live
in peace and harmony.