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Spelman Spotlight December 18, 1979 Page 3
Students Polled On Iranian Issue
By Samuel M. Matchett
In lieu of the present Iranian
issue, a sample survey was taken
of students in the surrounding
colleges. The question asked of
the students was quite broad;
“What are your comments con
cerning Black involvement in the
Iranian issue?
Of the students polled, the
majority consensus was that the
issue in Iran was not and should
not be one that is divided into
“what Whites should do” and
“what Blacks should do.” Rather,
it was thought that there should
be an “American” opinion based
on the rationale that we as Black
United States citizens are natives
of this country and though op
pression of our race is prevalent,
our struggle is here in America—
Where else is there for us to go?
We (Black people) cannot expect
other nations to support us in any
significant aspect. Unfortunately,
we have become every country’s
nigger.
A second opinion that carried
notable support expressed a
duality of emotion on the issue.
One may feel, as a U.S. citizen,
that the Iranians have over
stepped their limits by capturing
an American embassy and
holding American hostages, thus
the Iranians should either redress
their misdeed or prepare for the
consequences of severe
retaliation. On the other hand,
there is the aspect of am
bivalence. In view of this feeling
of some who think strictly in
terms of the “all-american” ideal,
there is the disturbing opinion
from the “Black-American”
viewpoint. This view contends
that the U.S. government knew
what it was doing when it allowed
the Shah into this country, thus,
formenting the Iranian crisis.
Hence, Blacks in this country,
because we have been subject to
treatment that is less than equal,
should not feel anger at the
Iranians who are now revolting
because they have also been
treated with less than the proper
amount of respect and con
sideration due them by the U.S.
The third opinion that proved
vigorous enough to take note of
its import is that opinion which
declares that Blacks should, for
the moment, reserve their
opinions and just “lay low” until
the American government and
Iran come to some type
resolution between themselves.
The reasoning for this opinion
seems to be that Blacks, though
born and nationalized in the U.S.,
have not been treated as true
American citizens. Thus, it would
be silly and nonsensical for
Blacks to get too involved in a
conflict that is not a direct Black
issue. As one pollee states, “The
Iranians are against the Whites
not the Blacks.”
The last opinion to merit an
honorable mention is that of no
opinion at all.
At the conclusion of this sur
vey, the results may be sum
marized as follows: We as Black
However, one pollee states,
“...extremely careful not to be
taken in by what may be ploys by
other nations to use Black
Americans to create divisive sen
timent in this country nor should
Blacks unreservedly and
unquestionably support and
stated policy of the U.S govern
ment.”
Ramon Dawkins—Sr. MC
“Blacks will be directly affected
by the Iranian situation in terms
of its economic, political, and
social aspects; consequently, it
is important that Blacks have a
significant voice in this issue.”
Julie Biram
Julie Biram—Jr.—Spel—“I feel
that the release of Black
prisoners was planned in advance
and that it was intended to cause
turbulence between Blacks and
Whites in America ”
Marcie Crutcher—Jr.—Clark
Blacks should have a very indi
rect involvement in the Iranian
situation...”
Gary Franklin
Gary Franklin—Sr.—MC—
“Black Americans must neither
be taken in by possible ploys to
create divisive sentiment in this
country nor blindly accept of
ficial United States government
policy.”
Deidre Calcote
Deidre Calcote—Jr.—Spel—“I
have mixed emotions; I feel that
it could be viewed as an
American problem or as a Black
situation.”
Dana Franklin
Dana Franklin—Sr. Spel “It
should not be an issue about
Blacks, but an issue of the
American situation. We should
work as a nation—Blacks should
not be apathetic.
Charles (Chuck) Releford—Jr—
MC—“It is important for all col
lege students to be aware of what
is happening in our political
world.”
Prospects and Problems:
Black Education
Americans are in a very awkward
position having to temper our
views on the Iranian situation
with the realization that we are
both Black and American.
over Morehouse and Howard.
Many prominent faculty at black
colleges moved to white schools
because of higher salaries,
benefits and academic status.
With rising tuition costs, many
blacks discovered that white in
stitutions could provide more
financial aid, newer facilities and
greater library resources.
Ironically, as black higher
education prospered, traditional
black colleges were being rapidly
destroyed. As a greater propor
tion of lower-income black
students were admitted in recent
years, black colleges began to
assume a steadily increasing
share of totals costs. At most
schools, over 90 percent of all
students now receive financial
aid. and only about 5 percent are
able to pay their total tuition. The
lack of a philanthropic tradition
among black alumni at most
schools meant that black ad
ministrators had to appeal to
Washington for fiscal help.
Preoccupied with school
desegregation and related mat
ters, at least until recently,
H.E.W. and other departments
usually ignored the growing
desperate financial situation at
these institutions.
There are now many in
dications that the Civil Rights
Movement’s ideological com
mitment to integration-at-all-
costs, especially in higher
education, has not significantly
reduced the continuing burden of
white racism and discrimination
against black students. About
half of all blacks who graduated
from colleges this spring were at
black schools. Over seventy-five
percent of all black veternarians,
dentists and medical doctors
graduated from black in
stitutions. Over 50 percent of all
undergraduates from black
colleges obtain a second graduate
degree within five years after
their B.A. degrees, a higher per
centage than for blacks at white
schools. On the other side of the
color line, black dropout rates at
whites universities exceed 60 per
cent. Most white colleges have
begun to cut back somewhat in
their minority recruitment,
special services and Black
Studies faculty since the early
1970s.
The general prospects for
Rhonda Goodman—Soph.—Spel
—“...Blacks should avoid detach
ing themselves from the rest of
the American population; as a
group we should take a stand in
denouncing the tac tics of
Khomeini and the Iranian fac
tion.”
Michelle Hill
Michelle Hill—Soph—Spel—“I
do not know as much as I would
like to know about the situation
in Iran because for the past five
weeks I pledged DST.” What’s
your excuse?
Arnell West—Soph—Spel-
Lisa Moreland
Lisa Moreland—Soph—Spel “I
• Kjyn kjytzi i
“...White America has done little do not feel that this problem
for Blacks in this country. The sboul d be a separation of the
Iranians are against the Whites races ’ but > s a problem of the
not the Blacks.” total United States.”
Trustees Meet
in New York
By Cynthia Williams
On November eight and ninth
Spelman College held its annual
Board Of Trustees’ meeting in
New York City, New York. At
this meeting various committees
representing different aspects of
the college gave updated reports.
Spelman Student Government
Association President Donna
Dunlap was present at these
meetings and also gave an update
onS.S.G.A. activities.
Donna’s report included the at
tention the S.S.G.A. Executive
Board is .now focusing on cultural
and educational enrichment. This
has been done by Spelman’s
previously named Advisory
Board being renamed Spelman’s
black education remain cloudy.
It seems likely that blacks will
find it increasingly difficult to ob
tain admission to white graduate
and medical schools, depending
of course on the interpretation of
the 1978 Supreme Court Bakke
ruling. Affirmative action
programs have been watered
down at some institutions; a num
ber of prominent and politically
active black faculty at white in
stitutions have been denied a
decline in black college
enrollment for the first time in
many years. Some larger black
universities, like Tuskegee In
stitute, Atlanta University and
Howard University, will continue
to attract philanthropic and
federal aid. But there is the real
danger that the majority of
traditionally black, Southern
colleges will close their doors
permanently by the 1990s. The
rush toward integrated higher
education has condemned them
to obscruity and neglect.
Manning Marable is currently
writing the history of Tuskegee
Institute with the assistance of a
Rockefeller Foundation grant. |
Women’s Action Coalition or
SWAC. This organization is com
posed of students from all the
four classes here at Spelman.
Also created by the Executive
Board of the S.S.G.A. are the
Cultural and Educational Board
along with the establishment of
an External Affairs Board.
A general sense of optimism
was expressed by Donna con-
cemiing the Board Of Trustees’
recent meetings and the 1979-
1980 academic year. Speaking on
the Board meetings specifically,
Donna stated, “I was very pleased
to see the first black female
Spelman graduate as the
President of the Board. She han
dled the meeting very well. She is
definitely an asset to Spelman.”
The S.S.G.A. President also has
big expectations for the 1979-
1980 school year. Donna ex
pressed these expectations by
saying, “The 1979-1980 academic
year is proving to be a new and
exciting beginning for the
S.S.G.A. We are attempting to
furnish an environment that
stimulates student involvement
and provides opportunities for
character growth.”
Next
Sptolight
Staff
Meeting
Wednesday,
January 9