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Spelman Spotlight February 25, 1980 Page 2 T*- c r" C -K- "Mi THE VOICE OF BLACK WOMANHOOD Editor-In-Chief - Kolonda G. Watts Associate Editor - Pamela Denise Moore Editors Advertising Manager-Phyllis Sawyer Art Editor - Ellen Robinson Arts Editor- Claire Henry Business Managers - Trevonia Brown Angela Nickerson Circulation Manager - Lavita J ohnson News Editors - Kiron Kanina Skinner Adele Sheron Newson Photography Editors - Ruth Cauthen Pamela Scott Public Relations Manager - Sheron Covington Religion Editor - Angela Benson Literary Editor - Michelle Dacus Photographers - Kirby Ayers Collette Laviolette Samuel Matchette Reporters LaRonda Morris Kiron Skinner Cynthia Williams Samuel Matchett Sharon Snead Sheron Covington Angela Cumberlander Melony Matthews Angela Benson Robin Barnes The Burden Kennedy Faces By LaRonda Morris What lies behind Senator Ed ward Kennedy’s lessened popularity in the public opinion polls? Last. J uly he was the favorite 2-1, now he is the un derdog. Even before his statement on the Iranian issue his decline in popularity had started. Now questions are being raised about his reasons for running, along with his lackluster cam paigning. According to updated polls, the main reason for his rapid decrease in popularity is the smoldering issue of Chap- paquiddick. It has been more than a decade since the incident of Chap- paquiddick took place. It was in July 1969 that his car hurtled off the Dyke Bridge in the tiny Massachusetts island of Chap- paquiddick, killing 28-year old Mary J o Kopechne. According to polls last spring, most Americans seemed willing to forgive and forget. However, a poll taken of Democrats and independents by the Gallup Organization showed that Chappaquiddick is still a serious issue, which is hurting Kennedy’s strength, where as Iran is helping Carter to rebuild his image as a leader. Since doubts have been risen about Kennedy’s behavior in the situa tion, there is reluctance in people to vote for him. The main reason Chap paquiddick has caused problems and contradictions for Kenndy is because the media highlighted this incident just before his for mal announcement of candidacy. On another survey taken, people that followed the case closely felt that his behavior was improper. Therefore, people who harbor these doubts are reluctant to vote for Kennedy. Despite the seriousness that Chappaquiddick has played on Kennedy’s campaign for Presidency, it was indicated in a Newsweek poll that he may still run strong against Carter if and when he looses the boost he has gained from the Iran crisis. The survey also showed that Kennedy still rates higher than Carter on his leadership qualities. Black History is Featured Efoery Week in The Black Press • A Letter to the President Dear Mr. President, I can not begin to tell you how appalled I was when I learned that you had asked Muhammad Ali to represent the United States on a “sensitive mission” to Africa, a mission in which, he would try to persuade these countries to not participate in the Moscow Olympics. Without even getting involved in the issue as to whether anyone should be trying to boycott the Olympics or whether it is wise for the United States to engage in what one may call a revival of the Cold War. I think that it was highly distasteful for the United States to send a person as un diplomatic and flamboyant as Ali on a “sensitive mission”. Mr. President, I understand how hard it is for most whites to distinguish one black from another. We all look alike to y’all (you all in Northern talk). But for the record, allow me to clarify this once and for all: Muhammad Ali is not a diplomat or an expert in foreign affairs. He never has been and it is doubtful that he ever will be. Now, Don’t get me wrong—us blacks jes love Muhammad Ali to death. He is the greatest (boxer) and he will always be the greatest (boxer). BUT, I don’t want him representing me or my country on any diplomatic mission. Just listen to the kinds of remarks he has made: “They didn’t tell me in America that Russia supports these countries.” “Maybe I’m being used to doing something that ain’t right.” “You all have made me feel funny with your questions, like I’m a traitor.” The U.S. and USSR are “the hottest two white men in history.” If these two white men start fighting, all us little black folks are going to be caught in the mid dle.” Obviously, Mr. Ali appears to be quite ignorant in this im portant area, and what makes it worse is that YOU, Mr. President of the United States, YOU ap pointed him! He would not have been in Africa if he had not received your approval! In summation Mr. President, this is all that I have to say to you: Obviously, Mr. President, your sensitivity toward and respect of the black peoples of the world ap pears to not amount to very much. I know that it may very well be true that you and ol’ Cyrus feel threatened by the kind of power and prestige that Andy Young had amassed through his personal appeal. Consequently, I can understand why you chose not to send him to Africa. Nevertheless, your selection of Ali to do the job was a slap in the face to all intelligent black Americans, for we know that there are others capable of doing a good job on such a “special mission”. Needless to say, Tan zania’s President J ulius Nyere did the right thing when he refused to meet with Ali and instead direc ted him to the Minister of Youth and Culture. Your friend, Pamela Denise Moore P.S. I realize that you may possibly wish to take issue with some of the points made in this letter and that you may want to defend your actions. If this is the case, feel free to call me. I will immediately send my good “friend” Evil Kneivel to Washington to represent my views and position in regards to this important matter. Letters to the editor Morehouse-Spelman Players Dear Editor: I was simply appalled by the Morehouse-Spelman’s produc tion of “Cabaret.” In my eight years in Atlanta I have been an avid supporter of every More house-Spelman Players perform ance, but this year I was shocked at the lack of substance in that production. (Dr. Baldwin Bur roughs would never have let such a catastrophe hit that stage.) In remembering excellent More house-Spelman Players per- S.S.G.A. “I pay $90.00 a year for an ac tivity fee; where is my money going? This is a question which many Spelman students ask of the S.S.G.A. The Spelman Student Govern ment Association received an allocation of $50,000 for the 1979-1980 academic year. These funds were distributed among the classes, dorms, clubs, yearbook, newspaper, and the Student Government Association. The respective figures were published in our October Newsletter and are available to students in the S.G.A. office. The aims of the 1979-1980 S.S.G.A. Cabinet have been to provide students with a balance of cultural, social and educational experiences. Our community dialogues on women have featured Eartha Kitt, Mrs. Jean Young, and Michelle Wallace. Our Ball and Coronation were a success. A delegate will be attending the United Negro College Fund Con ference in February. We have sponsored movies and will con formances in the past, I wonder what has happened. I always'thought that the qlot of “Cabaret” dealt with the political overtones of the Hitler era in Germany. Because of the constant fear of war and the ever present threat of the Holocaust, many of the Germans, silly Bowles and Cliff Bradshaw sought refuge in the Cabaret tp, help alleviate the agony] of this fear. The political overtones qf the play were never properly Budget tinue to have them this semester. We are sponsoring Ira Goodkin, a concert pianist who performed January 31, 1980 at 11:00 a.m. in Sisters Chapel. Black History Month will be celebrated extensively through out the month of February with numerous speakers, displays, and seminars. Plans are presently being made to co-sponsor a benefit Concert for the United Negro College Fund with Clark. We will also have our second annual Greek Week in March. All of these activities must be financially supported. Many students do not choose to take advantage of these activities and therefore proclaim that their money is not being used wisely. If you are finding the variety of programs which the S.G.A. is of fering unsatisfactory, please feel free to offer your suggestions. If there are still questions con cerning the S.G.A. budget, please come to the S.G.A. office and speak with either myself or the treasurer. Toni Skipper. brought out of this production ■ Did the director not rejad this play? Did he not understand it? I, can’t imagine a director not being aware of this more thartibbvious theme. The play does not end happily. It is not a happy play. Did the director not understand that either? I was shocked at tl|e “Hip- hip hoorah”, way the play ended; I’m sure the playwright o£ “Cabaret” would have been shocked as well. And the acting left even more to be desired. Surely Spdftnan College has produced better ac tors than I saw on thqt Stage opening and closing nights. And what, pray tell, ytats the problem with the music? Not once were the actors and the music together at all times. This is by no means saying that everyone involved with the production had problems, however, all in all, I thought “Cabaret” was a flop. “Cabaret” is my favorite musical and I think Spelman’s Drama Department did the show quite a disservice due to an obvious lack of direc tion. In the future I hope the department will stick to shows it can handle and not waste the public’s time with amateurish un professionalism. Signed, A Concerned Critic Dear Critic: I greatly appreciate your can dor and concern. I, too, agree that “Cabaret” was a “flop”. Hopefully with the recent shift in the administration of the Drama Department, the Morehouse- Spelman Players will recapture the dramatic excellence that you remember. Editor-in-Chief