Newspaper Page Text
Spelman Spotlight November 15, 1979 Page2
NEWS
Blacks And The Middle East
Statement by Earl Picard
In the Fall of 1973 as a new
round of conflict raged in the
Middle East, it was obvious to
political observers that the
various information media were
committed to obscuring the fun
damental issues in that region as
they elevated support for Israel
to the status of holy writ. During
the course of that crisis every ac
tion by Israel, however in
comprehensible, was rationalized
as the inevitable response of a
beleaguered nation, while the
Arab cause was either ignored or
systematically denigrated in the
eyes of the American public. It
was a heart rending period for
those who sympathized with the
plight of the Palestinians for the
attitude - owing to the
manipulations of the media - was
one of indifference among the
general public and open con
tempt in all of the most important
quarters.
This problem was even more
pronounced among Black
Americans. That the Black com
munity was a virtual hostage to
Israeli interests in the United
States was obvious as our
“leaders” scrambled to profess
their support for that country
and, in the process, marched the
rank and file in lockstep to the
tune of the Zionist refrain. Nary a
soul dared to break ranks for fear
of economic and other reprisals
from the powerful Israeli lobby.
During that hostage period the
politics of Blacks was more a
politics of depravity than prin
ciple.
It was out of this context that a
small, mostly Black, ad hoc
grouping calling itself “Friends of
Palestine” was formed in Atlanta
with the aim of articulating a dif
ferent perspective on the Middle
East through a show of support
for the Palestinian cause. A
hastily conceived news con
ference and a small an-on reflec
tion - pathetic demonstration
followed. Both were summarily
ignored by the media and thus
became non-events for all but the
participants involved. Similar
failures elsewhere underscored
the difficulty of making a
breakthrough on the Middle East
issue what with the strength of
Israel’s public relations apparatus
and the relative impotence of all
who sought to counter the distor
tions it routinely popularized.
Suddenly the resignation of
Andrew Young, United States
Ambassador to the United
Nations, resulted in what seems
to be a change in public opinion
vis-a-vis the Middle East issue
and, for Blacks, a dramatic
opening to the Palestinians. The
indication is that Blacks have
finally arrived at a politics of
principle as regards the Middle
East. I caution against such a
conclusion, however, while
recognizing that it is the logical
one to reach given the mad rush
to embrace the Palestinians and
the Arab world. It is the context
of this policy shift that is as im
portant as the shift itself. A brief
word of explanation.
Historically Black America has
had an economic and general
resource dependence whic h has
been offset to a certain extent by
Jewish patrons, Of late tht
assistance has not been as for
thcoming as in the past. Indeed,
one could say that the collective
irritation now current in the
Black community over subsiding
Jewish interest in Black cuases is
being met and displaced by a
dawning realization of the vast
economic potential that flows
from Arab oil wealth. There
exists in this situation the temp
tation to forsake Israel for
Palestine, not so much because it
is the principled thing to do but,
rather, because of the perceived
economic benefits that could be
derived from doing so. If the shift
in support is based on such an op
portunistic premise as this, then
the conclusion must be that
Black politics - especially as it
relates to the Middle East -
remains a politics of depravity.
If we examine the record of
recent developments it is clear
that the organizations and in
dividuals involved in the extra -
diplomatic shuttles and public
relations blitzes (i.e., SCLC, Jesse
Jackson) all trumpet a minor
theme which is that Blacks
should benefit from some of the
Arab oil riches. In and of them
selves these “requests” are not
damnable so long as they are not
tied to the promise of political
support for the Palestinian and
Arab causes. Indeed, they may
well be timely given the need in
the Black community for some
form of economic assistance,
whatever the source. But the
tying of support for the Arab
cause to an economic quid pro
quo is another matter altogether
which borders on political op
portunism. This concern
becomes all the more pressing
when considered in the light of
the dwindling domestic popular
cases of these organizations and
Lee May Speaks to GCPA
By Adele S. Newson
Lee May, the editorial
associate with the Atlanta Con
stitution, was the keynote
speaker at the annual fall
workshop sponsored by the
Georgia College Press
Association, in Tifton, GA.
Speaking on the theme of
“Futures in the field of Jour
nalism,” May projected an op-
tomistic view to the 40 odd
aspiring journalists in at
tendance. According to May,
“One of the best places to be in
terms of careers is journalism
right now. Information is one of
the hotest commodities going .. ”
May contends that information
can always be sold to the public.
“There’s t.v., radio, magazines,
newspapers, public relations,
cooperate communications...and
free lancing.”
May stressed that there are
certain criteria that must be met
before entering the field of jour
nalism, the most important of
which is undergraduate degree.
Years ago education was down
played in journalism. “IT is
almost impossible now to get a
job with a news organization if
you are brand new without
having a college education, no
matter how well you write,” May
explained. May estimates that
half of the present journalism
personnel had journalism majors
in school. The other half had
degrees in “just about
everything.”
Language is another criterion
listed for aspiring journalists.
Language according to May is the
tool of journalists. “The im
portance of language to a jour-
individuals and their unceasing
desire to assume leadership of
emerging popular movements.
The suggestion that they may be
motivated by concerns other than
principle seems at least tenable
This is not to say that the
Palestinian cause should pot be
supported. Obviously their
history can be seen as a parallel
to our own. Nor is it to say that
the expansionist policies and
genocidal practices of Israel
should not be denounced. For we
know who the real aggressor is in
the Middle East. This is only to
say that Black support for the
Palestinian quest for a homeland
and an end to oppression must be
based on sond principles and that
the extention of that support
should not be tied to any
reciprocal actions on the part of
the Arabs. Otherwise we will lose
respect in the eyes of the Arabs ,
in the eyes of the world and,
ultimately, in our own eyes.
The introduction of an op
portunistic dimension to our ef
forts to impact the Middle East
crisis would be no better than
continuing the pre-1973 situation
in which our community was (is?)
a hostage to Israeli/Jewish in
terests. Neither situation is very
palatable; neither is desirable;
and both smack of opportunism.
nalist can never be over
emphasized.” May said.
The ability to observe critically
is also needed. Details are very*
useful to the journalist, it
provides a wealth of information
from which to draw. “No jour
nalist can be a journalist unless
he has the keenest sense of ob
servation,” May reported.
“It is absolutely essential that
you like people, either that or
you’ve got to be a fantastic
pretender, May explained. “It is
from the interaction with people
that the really good stories are
written.”
Added to this list of essentials
are a passing knowledge of com
puters, to operate the visual
display units, and a bit of
craziness to do the amount of
work required of the journalists.
Mr. Sophomore: Cobble Ransom
By Cynthia Williams
Cobbie Ransom has been
chosen Mr. Sophomore for 1979-
1980 by members of Spelman’s
sophomore class. Other chosen
for the court include Lerone Ben
nett and Brian Anderson.
The pageant was held October
19 at 8:00 p.m. in Sister’s Chapel.
"The Making Of A Masterpiece”
served as this year’s theme for the
sophomore pageant. The general
format of the pageant included
an introduction of the con
testants, which was referred to as
“the Concept.” This was
preceded by musical talent
displayed by sophomore Terry
Crawford, who sang one of her
own compositions. A sketching
of art in motion was then
delivered to the audience by a
dance performed by Melody Ruf
fin. The pageant continued with
the contestants giving a recitation
of their own free verse on the
ideal black woman. The con
clusion of the pageant consisted
of the contestants and their
escort in a last presentation to the
audience. The general consensus
of the audience was positive as
one sophomore, GiGi Warren
stated, “I feel the contestants
represented the finest Morehouse
has to offer.”
Second runner-up chosen to
Mr. Sophomore was Brian An
derson. Brian is a native of Atlan
ta. Georgia. Brian is also an
engineer major.
First runner-up named to Mr.
Sophomore was Lerone Bennet.
Lerone lives on the second floor
of DuBous Hall on Morehouse
campus. A native of Chicago,
Illinois, Lerone’s major is
Political Science and he aspires
to become a lawyer in the field of
entertainment. Lerone’s hobbies
include backgammon, tennis,
baseball and partying. Lerone ex
pressed his feelings on being
chosen a member of the Mr.
Sophomore Court by saying, “I
think people look at the first at
tendant harder and reflect to see
if you change any.”
Mr. Sophomore Cobbie Ran
som is a native of Silver Springs,
Maryland and lives in DuBois
Hall on Morehouse campus. Cob
bie is an Urban Studies major and
plans to attend graduate school in
this particular field. Cobbie’s long
term goal is to become a well-
renowned urban Planner and
Designer ultimately becoming
the owner, planner and designer
of his own model city. Cobbie en
joys playing tennis, meeting
people and just having fun. Cob
bie does not feel his newly elec
ted position will influence the
way he’s treated by others. He ex
presses his views by stating, “ I
don’t feel I’ll be treated any dif
ferently, but there will be
something.” Cobbie ended by
saying, “I was chosen to
represent the sophomore class
and it is indeed an honor.”