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Page 2 SPOTLIGHT STAFF Editor-in-Chief Dorothy M. Myers Associate Editor Georgianne Thomas Assitant Editors r _ Bronwen Unthank, Wanda Waples Business Manager Gwendolyn lies News Department — Jean Berrien, Editor, Patricia Smith, Marie Thomas, Clara Prioleau, Amy Holley, La Joyce Henderson, Ann Carroll. Feature Department — Lucia Holloway, Editor; Betty Lane, Jessie Stith, Ann Ashmore, LeJune Hickson, Henrietta Stocks, Gwendolyn lies. Typists — Jean Berrien, Kercenna McChriston, Jewelene Owens, Sonya Mixon, Patricia Smith, Dorothy Fu- gua, Elinor Atkins, Katy Coleman, Jean Waymer. Layout Department — Josephine Dunbar, B. Unthank. Circulation Manager Bronwen Unthank Photographer Camille Smith Cartoonist Joanne G. Merry Adviser Mrs. Naomi Chivers FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK Shortsightedness Interrupts Truth Too often our outlook is confined to such a small sphere that in tellectual growth is lamentably hindered. Such shortsightedness should be prevalent only in communities uninterested in the society about them or in the overall great picture which this society along with others presents to its viewing audience, the world. Certainly, a college such as ours would, I hope, classify itself as a body of indi viduals grasping and looking out onto the horizon for the truths which may lie there, in contrast to the mere pursuit of a few facts which may fly with the wind when college is over or even before. Most of us are aware of this fact that shortsightedness is preva lent, and yet we continue to limit our approach to problems on our campus to the petty rather than to include also the stems from which these pettinesses sprout. Such an attitude shows unereative thought on the part of all who use this technique. One might ask who can judge what is petty and what is not. The person who thinks, looks and plans before leaping might be considered wise. However, if his plans are fruitless, leading only to chaotic disorganization in his community, his wisdom is to be criticized. It is our duty as members of an academic society regardless of our positions in this social structure, to aspire, it is assumed, to achieve some proficiency in learning the art or science of problem solving, to develop a method by which the problems which con found, frustrate, infuriate our student body may be neutralized or at least lessened in their impact on the concerned students’ miinds. Doubtless, a complete reversal of technique is difficult, if not im possible, to achieve. However, if this proposal, the broadening of our vision, is seriously considered in the light of its optimum value, one can hardly disagree to the fact that it deserves our attention and consideration now. Why be so blind forever? Look beyond “the little things” today! Some step must be taken if we are to live in any sort of organized manner which is agreeable to at least the majority of the individuals involved. Furthermore, this step followed by others in the direction of progress to decrease the amount of shortsightedness on our campus in government, rules and regulations, facutly-student relationships, and administration-student body relationships must be taken now. Delay may be disastrous. —Ida Rose McCree I c-ot an ^complete m mathZ^U 1 ™; DRAWN IN ENGLISH It-COWDITT0NAL. in soc.14 ah' a ‘o' in pays eo-Wne*, I OlOjN r PLONK A THING THIS TERM. THE SPELMAN SPOTLIGHT Dear Editor, Our main objective here at Spelman College is to obtain an adequate education in order to prepare us for our occupational obligations to our generation. The obligation of the student is to do her best in her academic en deavors. She must, of course be a young lady at all times. The obligation of the school is, and I quote from the Spelman Bulletin, “to provide, within a limited scope and with a relative ly small number of students, as good educational facilities as are available in any college of liberal arts. To that end, emphasis is placed on courses in fundamental subjects in the humanities, science, languages, and fine arts. Attitude toward life is considered of more importance than the mere aquisition of knowledge. Know ledge must be lighted with in sight if the student is to relate her learning to the facts and real ities of life. Added knowledge; straight, courageous thinking, with honest, clean living.” etc. In chapel we hear speakers, especially Spelman graduates, who speak of the “outside world.” Is our campus so different from the world around us? If so, this is a damaging factor. Here in college, we are taking our final step in preparation for the so- called “outside world”. Here, as was stated in our bulletin, we are supposed to become acquaint ed with the facts and realities of life. I dare say that this small community is able to do all of these tasks sufficiently. For here, we are urged to believe that we are in Utopia. We are discouraged from complaining about condi tions, and unless this is Utopia, there will be complaints. This is a reality of life. Is this a junior college or a prep school? It is my opinion that our parents have done a sufficient job of training their young ladies in the social graces. All that has not been learned up to this stage in our lives will come with mat urity. When a woman leaves home to go to college, she is interested in becoming elevated academic ally. If she has a desire to elevate her social graces to the utmost, she should enter a charm school, not a college. Furthermore, any school which tries to take the place of the home and church will weaken both. Would any school dare to do much unless affiliated with a particular church? This is not a school of correction. In order for us to meet our main objective, it is my opinion that we need motivation. Truly, our dream of accomplishment after four years is a motivational force. I must say this much also, if we work hard in our classes, we will be awarded with at least one dance a month. Then, after a “brisk” walk back to our dor mitory, we may shake our friend’s hand at the door, under the eye of our head resident. Since this is a private school and the grounds are private, I can’t say that a good night kiss could be considered a display of our af fections publicly. We have the privileges of daily exercises in physical education classes and strolls around campus during restricted hours and in restricted areas. Are these “off limit” areas zones of evacuation, quarantined areas, or areas that would tend to make us forget our moral training? Is it taken for granted that we have no morals or home training? The distrust that is exhibited either proves that the Spelman theory is that we have had no home training or that our trainers were not adequate. Freedom of the press is one of the beliefs that managed to reach us on the “inside”. However censored or re-stated, we have that freedom. Perhaps, we aren’t paying enough for our paper to print what we please. We have enough respect for ourselves and our school not to go overboard. Each of us has had to learn to take criticism gracefully. Howev er, don’t you think that there are faults concerning the school also? There have been incidents which have caused me to wonder about the following things: 1. Who chooses our movies that are shown in Read Hall? Does the student body have anything to say Letter From Carleton . . . March, 1963 about the ones which are shown? We would cater less to Morehouse and the Ritz if we had more in teresting movies here. 2. What is considered a decent, yet an adult theatrical produc tion? 3. Is the head resident our “mother away from home?” 4. Is the school for the student or is the student for the school? Regardless of the answer, the students’ happiness and content ment is an important factor. We pay to go to school. The school sets the prices and we pay that!! 5. If this is supposed to be a “family-like community”, why do our “mothers” and “fathers”, com prising the administration, cater to the friendship of only a chos en few on campus? I repeat, a school cannot take the place of the family! We must live or try to live in harmony. But why try to imitate family life? Sincerely, Evelyn Terry Dear Editor, “Open Sesame”! Ah, there lies the gold — yet, all that glitters is not gold, as you will see when this tale unfolds. I am a senior at Spelman — a Speech and Drama major, an aspiring actress, a dance instruct or, the recepient of the 1962 Jerome Award, a native Atlantan, an inhabitant of Abby, a victim of circumstance — I am Marie Thomas. It has been my desire, my wish, to relate to many people con nected with Spelman, its faculty, administration, and students my feelings as a student of Spelman on the outside looking in, that is, as a city student, and as a stu dent of Spelman within its cloist ered gates, as a campus student. For three years, I enjoyed what one might call a “normal” kind of college life. I tried to do my best work in my classes, (the result being an honor roll stu dent for 5 semesters) participate in extra-curricular activities, and keep tuned into what many might call that “college spirit.” Not only was I learning in the classroom, but I was learning in other as pects also. (Continued on Page 6) Ida Rose Looks At Life On Midwestern Campus My dear friends, After having spent three weeks in new surroundings I have some very definite first impressions I’d like to share with you. Carleton College is a small (1200 students) liberal arts col lege whose student body is large ly composed of Midwesterners. It is quite interesting to notice the attitudes and ideas which are characteristic, at least in my mind, of this section of our country. Regarding race relations, for example, these students tend to be quite liberal in their actions toward me and in their accept ance of me as an individual, without alluding to my skin color or to my racial background. It is pleasingly strange for me to be accepted in an almost totally white community as cordially and as liberally as I have been ac cepted. Having lived in the South all of my life I often wondered, at first, if this congeniality would be ephemeral. However, as I go about the campus from day to day, to classes, the library, and to so cial activities I begin to feel that the actions of these students to ward me are sincere ones and that Midwesterners, especially, having never experienced the pre judice which Southern whites have toward Negroes, are unpol luted, free thinking, rational hu man beings who, if given a chance, can understand anything and anypne perspectively. This is true of the students on this campus at any rate. I like it here! Carleton is a very casual edu cational community. All of the students seem to be very serious about their academic achievement. They read—all of the time, every thing, and curiously hoping to ferret out some new, daringly ex citing, bit of knowledge at each turn of the page. The library which is very large and very well-equipped, is the center of this pursuit. “Going to the libe” is just the thing to do, I was told soon after my arrival. Free access to the stacks by all students, study carrels, several lounges, audio-visual aid rooms, all contribute to the comfort and accessibility of materials which any student desires when study ing. Another interesting feature which has impressed me at Carleton is the number of jobs and activities which the students operate entirely on their own. The cultural and social affairs on campus are planned and organized almost entirely by students. Plays are student directed and produced. Publications are really voices of the students, what they actually think, criticisms of administra tive policies or statements, as well as criticisms of students’ opinions or group actions. It is good to see that opinion can be freely expressed so that the stu dent may weigh both sides of any question, disagree, or agree as his rationality dictates. Such policy is democratic and is recognized by both administra tion and students here as the most truthful, straight - forward method of dealing with problems and for encouraging the mature, thoughtful expression of ideas. Such an atmosphere is a definite advantage for any college whose primary ambition is to promote an unleashing of ideas—unbiased, unpropagandized, free. Now that I have given a slight overview of my impressions of Carleton so far I hope in my subsequent letters to relate to ypu some of my experiences which will either defend or change the opinions I have already made. Until then I remain Sincerely yours, Ida Rose