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Page 2 - EDITORIALS Spelman Spotlight May, 1981 Last Words from the Editors Our Greatest Challenge: Sisterhood By Pamela Denise Moore Editor-in-Chief A few weeks ago, as 1 sat in Quarles Library persuing through old issues of the Spelman Spotlight, I came across a particularly striking article in an issue whose month and year I do not recall at the present. What was so striking about the article had nothing to do with style or size. Indeed, I could have easily passed right over it if I had not been examining each page as intently as I was. This one particular article caught my attention because it reflected to me evidence of a different kind of Spelman woman residing within the cherished grounds of our institution. In it was reference to a survey that had been taken in which the majority of Spelman students voted in favor of not having sororities on campus, fearing that otherwise would bring harm to that very special Spelman sisterhood. What was so interesting about this particular attitude was not its aversion to sororities but its preoccupation with Spelman sisterhood to the point that any other kind of sisterhood was secondary. Much has changed since the time this article was written. Spelman sisterhood is still here, but I often wonder if we become so preoccupied with our own individual groups (be they sorority, dorm, or honor society) that we seem to often forget that there is a Spelman sisterhood. What is so tragic about losing sight of Spelman Sisterhood is that when we fail to recognize the commonality and history that we all share by virtue of our presence at Spelman College, we lose sight of our mission.and purpose as black women. Spelman College has given 100 years of service to black women who have achieved. It is an institution that saw a value and worth in black women when nobody else cared. With only $100 to Pamela Denise Moore and Kiran Kanina Skinner their name, our founders Sophia Packard and Harriet Giles, dared to have a dream amidst a time of despair and broken ambitions, and they sacrificed their lives to make their dreamand,now,ourdream a reality. Such has always been the story of Spelman College. For even today as we rejoice and glorify ourselves for making it thus far, we must still face the reality that life at Spelman College for those who work here is still a sacrifice and that it is only the belief in the dream that black women can and shall achieve that binds us all together. My last will and testament is to all of my Spelman sisters. I ask that you never lose sight of the fact that you are a Spelman lady and that you belong to a very very special sisterhood. Being a Spelman lady means that you know and understand what it is like to be a black woman in America and that you’re determined as hell to succeed in spite of the odds. It means that you have a special kind of pride and dignity and that you recognize and accept your responsibility to be a torchbearer, to lead and to guide others who have gotten lost along the way. This is our mission and purpose. Let’s Never forget it. Spelman: Architect of Black Women By Kir on Kanina Skinner Associate Editor Spelman is like an architect. It v.onstructs plans and develops the lives of its inhabitants. Spelman has done this for me. It has developed my intellectual, social, and leadership potential. The time has come that I must move out of this secure home and face much larger homes. Yes, l am frightened and happy simultaneously. But when I think of my experiences since I transferred to this college, I am saddened. Two years ago I came to Spelman. I did not know what to expect, coming from California. I had never visited the south before. I had never visited a black college. Spelman was the right place for me. I have learned so much about the importance of our institutions, and the monumental role they play as architects of the black avant garde. And I truly feel that my previous academic and social growth could have been accentuated if 1 had the earlier advantage of attending a black school. 1 have learned that the south is the seat of our heritage in this country, and will always be. The struggle for human and civil rights is an undaunting fight that has been and is led by black men and women of the south. In fact, the leaders that I have grown to love and respect, attended black colleges like Spelman and are living in this part of North America. Oh Spelman, 1 hate to leave you, but I know that you are sending me on. You have been a good architect, you have equipped me well. I take with me your lessons and your blessings. You’ve added to my self-confidence. You’ve made me extra proud of being a black woman in a society that ignores the inherent beauty and strength of black women. Spelman I love you! By Nancy Travis Contributing Writer Note: The following is an excerpt from an essay, “The Spelman Spirit and Essence,” which won first place in the Delta Sigma Theta essay contest. In order to recognize the great value of a Spelman education, however, we must first discover the true Spelman woman. The true Spelman woman demands respect. She holds her head up high, but does not have her nose in the air. She does not find pleasure in putting others down. She realizes that Black people in America will never be able to overcome the inequalities and the racism we face until we cast aside the petty differences between us. She knows who she is, but never makes the foolish mistake of over estimating her own importance. She strives to grow intellectually and emotionally. She strives for perfection, but understands that she can only succeed with God’s help. The true Spelman woman realizes her priorities. She realizes that family and friends are priceless. She also realizes that obtaining knowledge is invaluable. She .her studying before her socializing, teering and English must come before entertainment and evaluating The True Spelman Woman AUC men. She knows that the young lady who makes “partying” her major will not last long in the academic world. The true Spelman woman appreciates the Black man. With him she will pursue a relationship of love and mutual respect. She will neither blame him, nor accept the blame for the problems they may encounter, problems whose root cause is minority status in America. Together they will overcome the economic, racial, and emotional stresses and strains before them. They will grow strong by supporting one another, and realize the futility of tearing each other down. They will teach their children to be proud of the Afro-American’s cultural heritage and natural beauty. Spelman College has provided “A Century of Service to Women who Achieve.” Over the next hundred years the natural beauty, grace, and intelligence of the Black woman will be fully appreciated. She will conquer new fields and put to use the God-given talents that until recent history have been left untapped. Her new accomplishments will demand recognition. Spelman, at the same time, will continue to inspire and encourage its students to achieve academically, and to develop attitudes of graduates will continue to be the dynamic confidence and maturity. Spelman’s professional women of tomorrow. Editor-in-Chief - Pamela D. Moore Associate Editor - Kiron K. Skinner News Editor - Bridgett Davis Feature Editors - Lisha Brown LaRhonda Morris Photography Editor - Denise Reynolds Art Editor - Mary Barkley Advertising Manager - Janice Tillerson Asst. Advertising Manager - Elaine Terry Business Manager - Betty Jackson Circulation Manager - Lisa Vaughn Office Manager - Susan Hart Annie Alexander Story - February Issue Ms. Phyllis Jones, not Alison Wills, wrote the story on Annie Alexander, Spelman's oldest living alumna. NBSA Story 8 March Issue The Spelman Spotlight apologizes to NBSA for unintentionally misrepresenting A 'BSA's position in regard to the NBSA-Duke Debate. According to NBSA. when the Spotlight reported that lacev stated that Duke speaks the truth in respect to the race issue and that nothing else (but the debate) would arouse the consciousness of blacks in the Atlanta University Center (A UC). the paper faded to give the total perspective in regard to these points. According to NBSA Representative Clinton lacev, "Duke does speak the truth sometimes in respect to black people’s behavior, and he twists this little truth into his whole ideology." Lacey also stated that NBSA believes that the debate was "just one method of dealing with the problem of white supremacy and that there will be more activities and projects."