The Wolverine observer. (Atlanta, Georgia) 1936-2001, December 08, 1983, Image 3
December 8, 1983 The Wolverine Observer Page 3 Editorial Comments Grenada Still Raises Questions "Third World View" The events of last month, propelled the tiny island of Grenada into national and inter national headlines. Most people had never even heard of the island. Those who had knew of it as a beautiful place in the Carribean for tourists. Unfor tunately, about many of the developments and changes oc- curing in Africa, the Carribean, and the Third World, the African-American population is not as informed or as vocal as we should be. In particular, Black students tend to suffer from a lack of clear and comprehensive information on events shaping the destiny of today's world. Thus, without information, Black students who are the developing scholars, intellectuals and leaders of our people, cannot make any real analysis of how these events impact directly and indirectly on our lives. There are many lessons to be learned from the situation in Grenada. In fact, the seriousness of the issue challenges Black students to dig deep for the facts, and bring forth analysis and action. There must be a search, a probing search by Black students into the history of Grenada and its people. If that is done we will discover that the Grenadian people were enslaved in the same regions of Africa as our people. In fact, if we could really trace our history we would find that many of us are direct descendants of people brought to Grenada. But, we must not be content to study just the distant past, we must know of Grenada’s recent history. We must know why a political party called the NEW JEWEL MOVEMENT formed on the island and led a bloodless revolution in 1979. A revolution that made people all over the world look to the tiny island and its people. We must pull out the facts, and find out why the Reagan administration acted hostilely to the government of Grenada. Why Reagan pursued a policy of threats, refusal to normalize relations and refusal to give assistance to the people in order to aid their develop ment. If we ask these questions we will discover that it reaches far beyond just the shores of Grenada. We will find that overall U.S. foreign policy in the 3rd world, especially Africa and the Carribean, is a policy based upon propping up brutal dic tatorships and opposing any and all movements, governments and leaders who want to develop the independence of their nations. We will see that there is a consistent pattern of in terference, economic intimida tion, political assination and intrique, diplomatic pressure and even (as in Grenada’s case) full scale military assault. If we really search for answers to why Reagan would invade a small Black nation of 110,000 people, we might find that it is the beginning and not the end of a developing militarism coming out of the White House that could possibly push the whole world to major military conflict and war. If we are able to get a deeper understanding of world politics and economics, it will probably become clear that the invasion of Grenada was also to prepare public sentiment for increased U.S. military agression in the Third World. With that throught in mind we should remember the thousands of young Black men who are college age, that will be used on the front lines. Young Black men who will die in foreign lands fighting their brothers and sisters so that America's corporations can get richer. Black students have always been an important force for social and political change in this country. It is time that today's students claim that history. We know what Reagan has done to Black people, women, youth, students, the elderly and poor people in this country. We can look at Grenada and see what he intends to do on a world scale. Black students must become politically informed, in order to have a complete education. And, they must become politically active to have a practical educa tion. That brings to mind another lesson from Grenada. In the late 1960's a young man left home in Grenada to receive a college education. Like many of you he was one of a few of his people that could go to college. He went to England, studied law and became a very good lawyer. SHorris Srniun Collcqc Atlanta. (Georgia 303M Public Service Announcement WHAT: Morris Brown College: *Registration for Evening and Adult Continuing Education Program WHEN: Now in progress and fall semester classes starts January 11, 1984. WHERE: Morris Brown College, 643 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Atlanta, GA. 30314 WHO: Contact Dr. N.R. Farokhi - 525-7831 Ext. 205 or 206... •Some classes offered: Intro to Computers, Programming I, Business Law & Management, Typing, English, Math, History, etc... NOTICE ! ! ! REGISTER NOW FOR MBC EVENING CLASSES The Wolverine Observer Edftor-in-ChM Associate Editor Business Manager Sports Editor Photo Editor Political Perspectives Editor A him-News Editor.- Photographers TypM* Office Manager Camilla P. Clay Mike Phillips Hiram Andrades James Barlow Roland Reed Lennox Jackson Lloyd Taylor Greg Mason, Narcel Reedies Vincent Harris and Earl Savage Carrelt Brownlee REPORTERS: Hedren Johnson Paige Wray Shawnee Jackson Hedren Johnson Slevyn Coulter Velma Scott Harrlette Henderson Kathy Lfghtfoot Special Assistant to the Editor ,.... Ethel Lisa Thomas Tile Wolverine Observer is designed to inform the students, faculty and administration of Mortis Brown CoBege, and to serve as a communication channel between the Mortis Brown family and the community. The Wolverine Observer reserves the tight to edit articles. Opinions expressed in articles and letters are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect either the opinions or policies of the coBege. But, his dream of law was not so he could pursue money and material things. This young man returned home to his people in Grenada so that his education could be used to serve the people. He served them so well, that he became the leader of the progressive political movement that would eventually lead Grenada’s revolution. That young man would become the most influential leader of the Carribean and the Prime Minister of Grenada. Black students must learn from the example of Maurice Bishop, and struggle to make your education as relevant to our people and our situation as he did to his. FORWARD EVER! BACKWARD NEVER! Michael Simanga Chairman, NEW JUSTICE MOVEMENT 14 Nov. 1983 BECAUSE OF CHEMOTHERAPY KAREN ANDERSON IS A STATISTIC. THE KIND OF STATISTIC WE LIKE TO BRAG ABOUT. When Karen was only 18 years old, her doctor discovered she _ had a deadly form of leukemia. Facing in credible odds, a sur vival rate of only 3%, Karen spent the next three years in inten sive chemotherapy. Not only was her life at stake, but if she did survive, there were serious ques tions as to whether she'd be able to have children. Now, eight years and two sons later, you'd never suspect that this vigorous young mother had battled a disease that kills more than 15,000 Americans every year. Karen, Brian and Erik are living proof that we're gaining in the fight against can cer. It's a fight we can't afford to lose. It's your donations that help us continue the research, education and reha bilitation programs that will give us more statistics like Karen Anderson. The kind of statistics we can all be proud of. SHARE *