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2 We’re Back! OCTOBER 1996 MBC Wolverine OBSERVER CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 places. No wonder our Southern symbols cause equivocation in some of us and fury and defiance in others. Forget hell, we have not even yet learned how to understand much less remember with clarity. The Southern history, racially, has been one of sibling rivalry. The whiter brother clings to the illusion of a birthright even though the estate was wiped out by Sherman, so many years ago. The rivalry of power is an issue bequeathed by our grandfathers and more subtly our grandmothers. It is less exoterically, a question of exclusivity and sanction. The rivalry and the flag are worn out “old south and the issues which link the white brother symbolically to a lineage of feudalism”. That linkage should be a historical footnote, functional only for defining our progress towards a better human environment. Instead it imprisons many of us in an anachronistic cell of ethnic preoccupation that impedes us from a realization of our full human potential. Heritage should not blind us to a contemporary vision. It would be presumptuous of me to suggest immortality or the need for guilt in respect for one’s heritage. The right of knowing ones heritage is sancrusanct. But, the Georgia flag, as a symbol, represents legislative sanction. Legislative sanction is the ultimate expression of civilized power. A flag is a symbol of victory. Place it on a staff and the phallic connotations tease at sexual convolutions that have haunted the South and Southerners for centuries. The symbolic meanings of Georgia’s state flag are blatant with racist meanings. I find it condescending for the State to legislate a symbol for all of its people which is a generalization of the most gross proportion. For the state to sanction a historical icon such as the Stars and Bars as a symbol of my history as a Black northerner transplanted to the South, much less the history of my red and other black antecedents, with whom I claim symbolic, if not blood relationships, is tyrannical. There is no state sanctioned symbol which images the sweat of slaves who ran Southern plantations while white males fought the “lost cause”. There is no state sanctioned symbol of our Cherokee, Creek, and Seminole ancestors of which our population, in their absence, is so proud of claiming heritage; nor is there a symbol for the much maligned carpetbeggar who brought his Yankee business acumen to a devastated South. There is no state legislative symbol for the Southern Appalachian Hill country folk who fought for the Union. If so, it might be the color of mud and blood, created by a massacre of white and black Union soldiers. The Stars and Bars is a symbol of exclusivity which belongs in the repertoire of personal values. It does not belong in our schools where “symbols” should be inclusive of all our population. It is a symbol which glorifies a past, which was preoccupied with race. I refuse to accept the concept of race. Race is a myth perpetuated on gullible and insecure people. It, race, is a myth used by a privileged few to maintain power over the masses. Symbols which serve the concept of race create barriers between people and prohibit us from moving freely among the joys of what other cultural experiences can contribute to our own humanity. Symbols with racist connotations symbiotically tie us to the false divisions of genetic variations. Let’s put the Stars and Bars in a museum, then take Georgia cotton and weave it into a new flag and stain it the color of red clay and let our children have a contest to embellish it with black, red, brown, and white symbols. Tell our legislators to have our children create a cultural collage free of myopic racial memories. Morris Brown “My Foundation My Comfort Zone” It seems as if it was only yesterday that I began my freshman year at Morris Brown College. But, in reality it has been four years, since I started my journey into the land of higher education. Within the corridors of my mind and spirit, my-morals and values were supposed to be my guiding light to deal with college life. And fortunately, for me those things enabled me to grasp onto problems and solve them with maturity. Atlanta and campus living showered me with the realities of life that I always knew existed. As each year passed I began to feel more comfortable with my environment and with my abilities to achieve. I found myself making decisions on my own time instead of someone elses. But, this new sense of independence did not control my yearn to receive little words of comfort from my family and friends. Throughout my tenure at Morris Brown, there were both fond and horrible memories. The two combined forces only made me a much stronger person. My faith and perseverance shined a light on my by Tamara V. Birdsong spirit, when the tunnel of life seemed to be a black hole. Dealing with professors, friends and so-called friends, became a gruesome task for me daily. I had to pull myself together and realize that I had to live my life for Tamara, and not for others individuals. Being able to deal with various situations and people in a proper manner enabled me to see my maturity level. During this time I was in my last semester of my junior year and I began to realize that Morris Brown had become a “Comfort zone” for me. I was living in my own apartment but, I was afraid to tackle the world and venture out. For so long my life centered around class, my boyfriend and sleep, but I soon found these things could not bring me happiness. This was a shocker for me; because I then realized I had to be happy with myself first. So, I found myself on a journey to strengthen my spirituality level, and even today I am still on that journey. The difference with today and yesterday is that I now know the direction of my life. And as my last semester of my Senior year approached, I had the opportunity to witness stress in the first degree. The pressures of papers, proposals, exams and my internship was a tremendous overload, that I wished would end. Finally my time at Morris Brown was brought to an end. On May 20, 1996 at 2:00 p.m. the Morris Brown College class of ‘96 marched through the Atlanta Civic Center to start another chapter of our lives. It was now time for me to loosen my hold on my comfort zone of care free college life. From that day forward I would be a member of the professional arena. No longer would I have the cushion of course work, it was time to prove to individuals that I knew public relations and marketing like the back of my hand. Unfortunately, I am still having to prove my worth, but I know that one day I will be a successful PR consultant. This dream will happen only if I remain patient, humble and true to myself. And most important I cannot forget the foundation that helped to mold my mind, and I am proud to say that it was Morris Brown College. campus CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 attention the issues that concerns us as a people. We should all carry our share of the weight. The articles The Wolverine Observer will be committed to print this semester will literally kick butt! There are too many issues concerning the black race and the campus community to ignore. It is the goal of The Wolverine Observer to poke and prod and to ‘become a pain to “fix” registration, refunds, student involve ment, and the demand for better instructors and equipment. Richard Jones, MBC Wolverine OBSERVER Editor Isn’t this what your tuition is paying for? We the students must work hard to better ourselves and our college by being the best campus possible. The Wolverine Observer is definitely back and it has been well-received. But that isn’t good enough. There is always room for improve ment. From Chuck D of Public Enemy: “United we stand, yes divided we fall, together we can stand tall...” Have a great semester! Peace and Positive Blessings Richard Jones Editor WOULD YOU LIKE TO PLACE AN AD IN THE WOLVERINE OBSERVER - CALL 404/220-0312 - Get your message out