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The Spotlight.
November 01, 1980
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The Spotlight., November 01, 1980, Image 1
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Newspaper Page Text
162 Days From Spelman's Centennial
Vol. XXIV, No. 3
Atlanta, Georgia - Spelman College
November, 1980
AUC Students Disagree With Abernathy's
and Williams' Endorsement of Reagan
Photo by Samuel Tucker
Rev. Ralph David Abernathy at a recent visit to Morehouse College.
Black Leaders Respond to Abernathy's
Endorsement of Reagan
By Vivian Fannings
News Editor
Many students faculty and adminis
trators in the Atlanta University Center
did not agree with Ralph Abernathy and
Hosea Williams’ endorsement of Ronald
Reagan for President.
One such person, Dr. Abraham L
Davis, Professor of Political Science
at Morehouse College, started a petition
stating his position on the matter. Dr.
Davis plans to have 3,500 student sign
atures by the end of the week. Dr.
Davis stated, “The local and national
news Media have consistently present
ed the black electorate with their view of
who speaks for black americans. Suppor
ting this assertion is the news r ledia’s
most recent news releases which have
characterized Ralph Abernathy and
Hosea Williams as prominent black
leaders, who have endorsed Ronald
Reagan for President of the United
States. The vast majority of students in
the Atlanta University Center do not
support the endorsement of Ronald
Reagan by Ralph Abernathy and Hosea
Williams. These two so call leaders have
simply spoken for themselves and not
for black people in general and not for
the vast majority of intelligent students,
administrators, and faculty members in
the Atlanta University Center.”
Dr. Davis stated that never in his 13
years at Morehouse had he seen stu
dents so enraged over an issue. He went
on to say “It is my belief that they
are fed up with leadership in name and
not in fact. They resent so call black
leaders speaking as if they represent the
view point of the students.”
Dr. Davis stated, “all faculty members
and administrators should speak out
against any black leader or leaders who
do whatever they please and whose
actions are not representative of the
views of the black electorate.”
When asked where will he go from
here he answered, “We plan to keep one
copy on record for any citizen to see so
that he or she can understand that
Hosea Williams and Ralph Abernathy
as well as some other black leaders have
not accurately reflected the views of the
people they are supposed to represent.”
Copies of the petition will go to Aber
nathy and Williams. Also a press con
ference will be held later in the week.
Dr. Davis ended his interview by
saying “Students in the Atlanta Univer
sity Center intend to hold blacks in
leadership positions accountable and
will speak out and refuse to support any
individual or individuals who fail to
reflect the desires and aspirations of the
black community. The vast majority of
civic minded students in the Atlanta
University Center are firm on this
position and have the support of the
majority of Black Atlantians.”
INSIDE TODAY
Survey of Student
Presidential Choices p. 4
Male, Female Opinions
on MBC Rape Case p. 6
Survey on Spelman
Women p. 7
Women p. 7
By Vivian Fannings
News Editor
The reaction among black leaders
ranged from surprise to outrage after
Rev. Ralph David Abernathy endorsed
Republican presidential nominee Ronald
Reagan.
Abernathy, a long time associate of
the Southern Christian Leadership Con
ference, gave his support to Ronald
Reagan on Thursday, October 16,1980.
Only a few months ago Abernathy was
campaigning for Sen. Edward Kennedy.
Abernathy has left many black leaders
stunned with his move from Kennedy
directly to Reagan, by passing Carter all
together.
Abernathy was joined by State Rep.
Hosea Williams of Georgia in his en
dorsement.
Abernathy stated, “Crime has increased,
inflation has increased and interest rates
Please refer to p. 4, column 3
