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Page 3— EDITORIALS
Spelman Spotlight
October 13,1980
OUR VIEW
What Is The Real First National Issue
The recent actions taken by the stu- or will we, act as members of the West
dents of Spelman College in support of End community, as a protector of the
Helena 'Wright deserves a round of ap- rights of the Black community? Hope-
plause. fully we will That is the real First Na-
But that is not the sole issue of the tional issue. That is the real imperative
First National situation. We can talk in Fortunately, the charges against
groups about the unfairness of the situa- Helena Wright were dismissed, which
tion and close our accounts—but that is illustrates to us the absurdity and ridi-
where the issue and our responsibility culousness of the actions taken against
begin. Helena by the bank. But what is appall-
Because of our history as a race of ing, is the fact that the bank did take
people in the United States, the Black such action, and the fact that what hap-
educated class and the Black institu- pened to Helena could have happened
tions that teach them, have an almost to anyone in the West End Community,
unmatched responsibility to the entire Such actions by the bank seems indi
race: To effectively deal with the issues cative of their overall attitude toward the
that face our race. citizens in our community and we feel
We are told in convocations and as- that the bank needs to assess its role in
semblies that “You have a responsibi- our community as well as the quality of
lity to the Black race, you are tomor- services provided,
row’s leaders.” But rarely, at least while To Helena, let us quickly say, we love
we are students are we faced with a sit- you. As a Black woman we can under-
uation so close to home that calls upon stand so well what you have gone
us to be the avant grade of the race. It is through in these past few weeks. We are
even more infrequent that we do act pleased that AUC students have sup-
when called ported you but we also hope that they
Helena’s, or rather our, ordeal de- not forget to examine the real issues
mands that we do the former. Can we, behind what happened to you.
Relationship With AUC Security
Must Be Assessed
in spite or the general improvements
made in the overall quality and effective
ness of the Atlanta University Center
(AUC) Security Force, the recent cutting
of a Spelman student in her dormitory
by a male stranger who escaped un
harmed should make this college com
munity reassess its relationship with
AUC Security.
We must question whether it is to our
advantage to continue to depend on a
force that is still too understaffed and
too underfinanced to meet our needs.
Granted that we have two gates that are
usually manned by security guards, we
still have a back campus that is largely
easily accessioie to perverts and
culprits who may choose to crawl under
gates or climb fences.
In addition, we must learn to take our
greviances and complaints to the board
of AUC Presidents who deliberate on
such matters, rather than cry or scream
within our own gates.
Lastly, we must examine our own
actions and learn to be more respon
sible for our own security. Much specula
tion exists as to how the male stranger
was able to break into a campus dormi
tory. I hope that it was not because
someone carelessly left a door open or
jarred for a friend to come in or leave
Editorials in this column are written jointly by the editorin-chief and associate
editor and reflect this paper’s official position This Spotlight does welcome edi
torials or letters from students or faculty or any interested person We maintian,
however, the right to reject any copy.
Blacks Must Vote
By Gregory Clinton
September 16, 1980, was the day
when incumbent President Jimmy
Carter made the statement, “You’ve got
a friend in the Ova! Office” to many
Black politicians and spokesmen of the
South. Since Carter has taken office as
President, more Blacks have been ap
pointed to various offices than ever
before To emphasize a few, there have
been 41 Blacks appointed to Federal
Judgeships, 6 Black U S' Attorneys and
27 Blacks to the White House Staff.
These numbers of course are not in
dicative of what is duly deserving, but it’s
a start. President Carter feels as though
he should and cannot neglect the “Black
vote” for this is what got him into the
White House. Politicians, such as Mayor
Maynard Jackson of Atlanta, former
U N Ambassador Andrew Young and
Maryland Congressman Parren Mitchell-
the list can go on, fully endorse President
Carter. One can see a definite relation
ship Carter has with Blacks, however
the same cannot be said for his op
ponents.
November 4,1980, is a vital date for
Blacks all over this nation. Whoever is
elected as President holds the power to
appoint four U S' Supreme Court
Justices-men who will interpret the laws
of this land. So far Carter has proven to
aid Blacks in their political efforts and it
does seem logical for this trend to con
tinue.
Blacks do have a choice on deciding
who goes to the White House: Regan,
Anderson or Carter. Reagan, as
described by Congressman Parren, Mit
chell, “is a facist who will be a leader of
the elitist. Anderson is likened to a
political wolf in sheep’s clothing at
tempting to pull the wool over the eyes
of disenchanted voters by masquerading
as, a progressive liberal when in reality
he s still a conservative Republican.”
Mayor Maynard Jackson describes
Carter as, “a Georgia boy who does
listen and recognize Blacks as being
Americans and not foreigners.”
It is imperative that we all exercise our
right to vote. We do and should have a
part in deciding who will be the next
President of The United States. If you
are interested in doing more this elec
tion, contact The Young Democrats at
892-4788 or 39 f 140.
SSGA President
Welcomes Students
Dear Spelman Sisters:
Welcome back to the beginning of the
most celebrated year in the history of
Spelman College. Our centennial
celebration will be one of the most ex
citing events in our college life and we
should be grateful to be a part of this on
ce in a century event.
As Spelman Sisters, this is our year to
rededicate our lives to Spelman. For this
is our school; and the struggle has not
stopped with us, but was left to be con
tinued by us. Let us consider the many
ways we can strengthen our institution
by involving the community, alumni and
ourselves. We have so much to offer and
it is senseless fo us to suppress our
potential.
The Spelman Student Government
Association is more than ready to work
this year. We have many great things
planned and we hope you will take part
in all of them. We are here to be of
assistance to you.
Enjoy your year as you continue the
Spelman tradition: A Century of
Womanhood.
Sisterly Yours,
Carolita VCajoftes
S.S.G.A. Presidgh^