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February 1981 Spelman Spotlights Page 3 - EDITORIALS Our View A New Era Is Here Reagan is here. Inauguration has come and gone. We are now faced with a Republican Presidency. But what exactly does a Reagan, Republican presidency mean? As black students, and as a race it means more than we may know, or even wish to know. However, the significance of this “New Era” must be discussed. First, the new administration has already sent out signals that the interests of the poor, the black, and the oppressed, are not nigh on the list of priorities. What this in essence means is that we still have our historical task of demanding a spot on the national agenda. Our place on the national agenda can only be recognized through our actions. We not only have to work as a group, mobilizing our thoughts, and if need be, our bodies, but we have to stay on the very conscience of white America. We must make it known that we will settle for nothing less than full equality. In this time of national and international uncertainty, we can not afford to be remiss in our social and political awareness. Individually and collectively we must analyze the decisions and the decision-makers of our land, and be sure that we are included in this process. The time is not here, it never has been, where we can sit back, satiated with the notion that our interests and concerns will be taken care of by a particular party. Our race is the guardian of our race; to expect any more. jorJess is.profound. ludicrousness. American party politics is not designed to meet the needs of our race, or any third world group, for that matter. Therefore, it is our job to make our more than rightful place in the American political arena recognized. It is truly a shame that in 1981, the Spotlight has to write to its readers on the importance of staying aware, of being ready because a new era has come. It is truly a shame that in 1981, a Republican president comes along who really does not know that racial problems and assumed racial superiority are what this country was founded on, and what the Americas was exploited by. It is truly a shame that the Spotlight has to tell its readers that once again a new era has arisen, and that we must be ready. It seems to the editors of this publication that previous editors have said the same thing. And what is so perplexing to us, is that every generation, actually every half generation, is giving the same message. Is anyone listening? This time we’d better listen. Tims is running short. Reagan does not mean to play. And if we do not act now, it may very well be too late. To the ladies of Spelman, to the students of the Atlanta University Center, to the black race of America, the Spotlight would like to say, “be ready.” To President Ronald Reagan, we wish to say, “Good luck, because if you intend to exclude or ignore the oppressed peoples of this nation, and the third world peoples of this globe., you will need it.” Spelman Women Must Strive For The Best I am writing in response to the article “Our View, We Must Examine Sex Roles” that was published in the December issue of the Spelman Spotlight. It is a saddening experience to read an article which addressed the Spelman population concerning occupational apathy and educational stagnation. It seems ironic that a black womans institution, such as Spelman, whose design and original foundations were established to encourage excellence and ambition of black women, felt the necessity to examine the sex roles of its own student body. I wish to take this opportunity to express an opinion to the author of this article. It is my firm belief that the continuing trumpet songs in the tune of “Strive to do Your Best, and Be The Best”, should never be deafened for it is this very song that is an inspiration to many Spelman students. It is of equal importance, however, to encourage extra-curricular activities that will help enhance the individuals to become both civic minded and socially aware. It is a gross misunderstanding of the author to suggest that organizations such as the Angel Organization of Spelman college and other orientated clubs are facets of intellectual growth problems and limited career aspirations. These organizations in conjunction with the many enriching fine arts, academic, civic, and social groups have enabled Spelman women to realize their potential as strong minded leaders. The nebulous desire to excell, revealed to us by Dr. Jacquelyn Fleming is indeed an issue that we, as women of a Spelman sisterhood, will have to come to terms with. A positive step will be one based on the recognition of the link between strong academic determination so as to build intelligence, and the participation in the extracurricular endeavors of ones’choice. This step will assist in implementing the experience, knowledge and wisdomofthe individual. Having accomplished this goal, Spelman women will have experienced a pride and awareness of self that will never leave us susceptible to settling for “second best” in our predominately male oriented society. Diane Ford, junior Psychology Club Series Issues In Black Education By Kamau Dawud Shabaka Morehouse Psychology Club The Mental Development Committee of the Morehouse Psychology Club is dedicating itself to the task of understanding the problems and solutions of our existence as Afrikan descendants in America. The complexities we are faced with in life, work to divide our numbers, our energies and our thoughts to where our essence and output become feeble expressions useless against the enormous task before us. As a people we should remember the strength we are part of. Thirty million people make a formidable force. We as students are part of such a force. There are those who say that we as Morehouse students represent the “creme de la creme” of our people. That because of the opportunity afforded us to attend this institution, we have the enviable position of acquiring the rare tools necessary to improve the lot of our people, over thirty million strong. I disagree. I disagree with the notion that we are the icing on the cake. We do not represent some special breed within a breed, but rather, we are all of a special breed, a gifted Black breed. You find us gracing not only the halls of Gloster and Dean Sage, but also Coca Cola, Georgia Regional, the Pentagon and Attica. Each representative institution containing specific (specified) proportions of Afrikan-Americans whose minds are potential fields of knowledge and power, of benefit to us as a people. We do not hold a monopoly on knowledge. Moreover, we do not hold a monopoly on wisdom. I disagree that we have rare tools. The acquisition and retention ~ e information is one thing, the synthesis and application of knowledge in reality is another. The assumption with regard to schooling is that information learned is information used. However, too many examples within our individual lives show that the realistic process is the reverse. Therefore, the hands-on experience of our numbers who work and utilize their knowledge and perceptions daily, develop tools much too valuable for us to deny by thinking that we as students are special. We may be privileged to survive without regularly punching a time-clock (though a good number of us must do just that), but we still need to understand the pressing responsibility we have to align ourselves with our brothers and sisters in congealing our power. It is to this end that the members of the committee have encouraged one another to present open letters to the community we are all a part of. The articles that follow this one will be the personal views of the committee members. As you read, keep in mind our collective view is for communication first. Once we can understand the positions we each have, then we can begin a concensus, a united front. On behalf of the committee, I wish to encourage feedback and comments either in written form or by verbal exchange. The Mental Development Committee currently meets every Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. in the lounge of Dansby Hall, Morehouse College. The Morehouse Psychology Club meets weekly on Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m. in the same location. We are making a beginning in a very, very long process. It is time for all of us to ee the need and join.