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Morris Brown College - Students First: Serving...Learning...Leading! DECEMBER 2000/JANUARY 2001 - 7 History In Our Backyard: The Herndon Home by Caryn I. Renaud STAFF WRITER he Herndon Home is a stoic repre sentation of the achievements of African descendents. Designed by former slave Alonzo Herndon and his first wife, Adrienne, and constructed by Black craftsmen in 1910, the house is a replica of artistic style and excellence. One can only imagine the intensity of this accomplishment in the bygone era of the early 20th century. Herndon, who left his rural share- cropping background at the age of 16, first opened a barbershop in Jones boro, Georgia. A move to downtown Atlanta however, brought him recog nition when he opened a grand bar- bering saloon-The Crystal Palace-at 66 Peachtree Street. Noted as one of the finest in the nation, The Crystal Palace started Herndon on his way to making his fortune. His clientele was largely white, and the services he of fered were elaborate, including public bath facilities—a luxury at a time when indoor plumbing was minimal. As such, Herndon was admired as a leader—a man well beyond his times, and further beyond his race. His incorporation into affluent social life increased in 1905 when he became affiliated with the Atlanta Benevo lent Protection Association through a real estate deal. This connection led to his founding and presidency of the Atlanta Life Insurance Company, one of the largest Black financial institu tions in the nation. His marriage to Adrienne McNeil, an accomplished arts and education director of Atlanta University’s dra ma department in 1893, placed the couple at the top of Atlanta’s Black society. However, their reign was short-lived due to the untimely death of Adrienne in 1910, which left Atlanta’s wealthi est family’ void of their eloquent leading lady. Jessica Guillespie, daughter of civil rights activist Ezikel Guillespie, be came the second Mrs. Herndon in 1912. She’was then responsible for the maternal rearing of Norris—the sole offspring of Alonzo and Adrienne’s union. The Herndon Home, though largely original in its appearance and content, was reconstructed to create the extra ordinary residential museum and archive that it now presents. Built for $10,000 in 1910, the home is now priceless to the Atlanta University Center and the Black community as a whole. Norris wanted the home to be a memorial to his parents, and so he restored its originality while adding his personal touch. A celebrated art lover, Norris collect ed intricate art in the form of sculp tures, painting; and ornaments repre sentative of ancient Rome, Greece, and China. The candelabra and Per sian rugs are magnificent and original. The woodwork is heavy and stained, forming built-in buffets and book shelves. Ornately sculpted lion’s heads form the staircase mark posts and beveled glass allow beautiful kaleido scopes in the fall and winter. Most of the furniture is imported. The white piano and Victrola reflect the performing arts interests initiat ed by Adrienne. The walls are painted in rich, deep colors with borders of intricate gold workings and murals. The original candles are on the walls and the original grandfather’s clock still chimes on time. Local Black crafts are abundant. Family portraits sentimentally adorn the walls. The home is now an historical land mark, offering hourly tours Tuesday through Saturday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. According to tour guide Tonya Evans, the Home is “special.” She noted that it is a one-of-a-kind in the Atlanta area since there are not many house museums. The Home sponsors programs teaching genealogy and an tique preservation. Hobday programs are big events as well, such as Christ mas with recitals and Norris’ old toys on display. In truth, the Herndon Home is a symbol of Black perseverance and extraordinary achievement, in the past as well as the present. Even with the demise of the Herndon family, the legacy still continues. Located a mere ‘stones throw’ from our main campus (next to the admis sion building), the Home provides an outstanding cultural resource that should be gratefully utilized by the entire Morris Brown College family. For tours and general information call (404) 581-9813. WholisticallysPEAKiNG by Gary Faulkner STAFF WRITER s health and longevity worth the sacrifice of meat for more veget ables and fruits? More people have eliminated meat from their diet, and increased the intake of vegetables and fruits in an attempt to increase the quality of life, as well as their time living it during recent years. Researchers from all over the world have conducted studies to determine whether a diet free of meat would be better for a person. Numerous studies have shown flesh foods are more likely to cause health problems than a diet of vegetables and fruits. Meat is more likely to contain bacteria that infect the intestines, causing colitis and many other diseases. Some argue that there is a relation ship between meat consumption and the increased cancer rate among humans. Women who eat large amounts of meats have a greater chance of developing breast cancer than those who eat little animal fat. Food additives, such as nitrates used to maintain a fresh, healthy pink look, may also add to the danger of cancer. The typical American diet that includes a high fat intake and twice the necessary amount of protein has numerous ill effects on the body. It can increase the risk of colon, breast, and prostate cancer; increase form ation of arteriosclerosis in the arteries; and decrease stamina and energy. Residues of numerous harmful toxins and chemicals have found their way onto the average American dinner plate. According to the Environmen tal Protection Agency, 90% to 95% of all pesticide residues are found in meat, fish, eggs, and diary products. There are also studies that say humans are not biologically made to consume meat. Natural meat eaters eat flesh raw, have claws, sharp teeth, sweat through the mouth and have a short intestine that is two thirds the length of their body (humans are 30 ft. long). The human intestinal tract causes meat to stay in the body for up to three days. This causes toxins to be absorbed in the body creating diseases. The Food and Drug Administration states “Data are strong that vegeta rians are at lesser risk for obesity, constipation, lung cancer, and alcohol ism. Evidence is good that risks for hypertension, coronary artery dis ease, type II diabetes, and gallstones are lower.” The National Cancer Institute states that 35 percent of cancer deaths may be related to diet. It also states diets rich in beta-carotene (the plant form of vitamin A) and vitamin C may reduce the risk of cancer. Diets rich in fiber-rich foods, as well as vegetables in the cabbage family, may reduce the risk of cancers of the colon and rectum. “I feel good. I have more energy. And I haven’t been sick since I stop ped eating meat,” a vegetarian of five years said. Vegetarian diets are gen erally moderate in calories and protein, high in fiber, low in saturated fat and cholesterol, high in polyunsaturated fatty acids, and mono- unsaturated fats. Plant foods also have antioxi dant nutrients that benefit the immune system. Considering the risks involv ed in eating meat and the benefits of eating more vegetables and fruits many people have chosen to become vegetarians. Certain disadvantages and precautions come along with this choice. Vegetarians have to be com mitted. Many vegetarians encounter problems with eating out, finding the right food and the difficulty of transi tion to being vegetarian. A vegetar ian of six months states, “Sometimes its hard, but I couldn’t imagine eating meat again.” A six-year vegetarian said, “ Before I found out what nutri ents were needed I lost a lot of weight and I was a junk-food vegetarian. But I feel I lessened my chances of getting a lot diseases “ Nutritional precau tions must be taken to ensure that all vital nutrients are available. The nutrients vegetarians should be care ful to include in their diet are calcium, present in dark green leafy vegeta bles, almonds, and sesame seeds; ribo flavin, found in green leafy vegetables, mushrooms, squash and almonds; zinc, found in legumes and whole grains; iron, found in legumes, dried fruits and green leafy vegetables; and vitamin B12, that may be found in cereals, breads and yeast. Many people claim protein becomes deficient in a meatless diet, yet studies show the average American receives almost twice as much of the Recom mended Daily Allowances. It is important for the vegetarian diet to contain many different foods. The Food and Drug Administration says, “The wider the variety, the greater chance of getting the nutrients you need.” Some vegetarians choose to take nutritional supplements to ensure proper intake of nutrients. There are several types of vegetar ians. Lacto-vegetarians avoid eggs, but include some diary products in their diets. Lacto-ovo vegetarians eat eggs and diary products but no meat. Vegans are the strictest vegetarians that exclude eggs, diary products, and all foods associated with animals. Some famous vegetarians are Leonardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein, Plato, Hank Aaron, Robert Parrish, Russell Simmons, Woody Harrelson, Alice Walker, Andre 3000, Erykah Badu, Common and Prince. If there are any questions or com ments about this article or other wholistic health issues feel free to e-mail at blkjourney@yahoo.com. Haeen hungry Feeding Morris Brown Coll Founded in 1 88 FHBCU in the AUC