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i nenlfoq? r3tr r isdmotq-v? Page 3 Spelman Spotlight September 1981 No One To Save Us But Us by Karen Burroughs News Editor On September 28, 1981, the second annual Black College Day march and rally was held in- 15 states across the country. Nine colleges, including those in the AU center, participated in the Atlanta march. The march originated from Morris Brown Herndon Stadium at 10:30 Monday morning. Jesse Jackson, president of Operation Push, spoke to the students before the march. “This is a very significant day,” he said. "We congratulate those who have had the sensibility and the judge ment to be present today. If you do not fight today, you may not be here next semester to fight back. Our schools have a right to exist.” ■ The marchers, which were comprised mostly of Spelman students, marched from the starting point to the state capitol located in downtown Atlanta. Once there, the program was begun by the governor of Georgia, George Busbee, who read an official proclamation declaring Monday, September 28, 1981, as Black College Sup-- port Day. He stated in the proclamation that Georgia is "dedicated to the survival of its historically black private and public colleges." Following Governor Busbee’s proclamation, there was a speech by Maynard Jackson, mayor of Atlanta. “We're proud to welcome from all across this nation and from all walks of life, those of you who have come to Atlanta to study and get ready to lead,” he said. “You must prepare yourselves for the struggle of acquiring our best and finest intellect and integrity. We have an added burden on us to reach back and remember what it used to be like. Too many of us today are forgetting what it used to be like. We need to remember in order to remind ourselves to never let it happen again.” He ended his speech by telling the students not to despair, but to continue the struggle. Speeches were then given by Dr. Charles Meredith, Chancellor of the Atlanta Un iversity Center, Mrs. Jondell Johnson, Executive Director, of the NAACP in Atlanta, and Shirley Norman, President of the SGA of the Fort Valley State College, one of the out - of - state participating colleges. Reverend Joseph Lowery, National President of SCLC, in delivering his speech, said, "What we love, we shall preserve and protect. We love our Black colleges, and we shall not let them perish." Following his speech, he received an enthusiastic standing ovation from the crowd. The last speaker was the Reverend Jesse Jackson. “This is a new and different day in which we struggle,” he said. "Study the struggle you’re a part of. You cannot be merely students in this movement, you must be students of this movement. Twenty years ago we were fighting to get in white schools, today we’re fighting to keep our own. Don’t stand around look ing pitiful, feeling impotent. That’s their purpose, to rip your self - esteem. We can save ourselves with our power. Let nobody fool you; there is nothing more powerful than a mind that is clear, sensitive, and sober. We demand the right to have our minds developed. Don't let them break your spirit, and convince you that you can’t make it. You must never lose the desire to rise above your cir cumstances.” Most of the speakers emphasiz ed that there is a serious problem facing our Black colleges. It was Mayor Maynard Jackson, however, who offered a solu tion: "Thequestionishowdowe intend to save our Black colleges?” How do we change what we care about into the law that will eliminate the need to march? The answer is as easy as one, two, three. One vote, two votes, three votes. We are upset about a public policy that says, ‘Forget about the black colleges, ignore them, neglect them; we don't need to give them money anymore.’ But elected oficials make those policies . . . officials elected by the people, officials who control almost every aspect of our lives. We, with all the numbers we have, don't have to beg anybody for anything. There is no one to save us but us.” Students Express Views On Black College Day The Republican Administra tion has seemingly gone public in its support of Black colleges. However, authority of social and economic programming is now being given to the states. This federalism gives governors, state legislatures, and board of higher education the power to manipulate more so than ever. For these reasons, Black College Day 1981 was held. The following are quotes from students of the AU center con cerning their thoughts, concerns and opinions regarding Black College Day: Kelly DeGraff - Spelman College: “I participated in Black College Day last year and I feel we accomplished something to the effect that it was mass participation. To really make an impact, though, we need to participate with all the other Black colleges. The only thing I don’t understand is that if this is for the good of Black colleges, why weren't we excused from classes?” Laura Brown - Spelman College: "I think there should have been a larger turnout. When there are only a few people, it has no meaning. Also, it should have beeen held in Washington, where it would have more im pact.” Alvin Miles - Clark College: "We have to try to help whites realize what Reagan is doing to us. Hopefully we can get him to change his policies and give Black colleges more money.” Damon Moaney - Morris Brown College: “I don’t see this as productive. Marches seem like Atlanta’s pastime; they don’t really have any relevance. We say we want our Black colleges, but what really came out of last year’s march? The biggest thing was the crowning of a queen." Lillian Lewis - Spelman College: "It’s important that we stop this separation of schools. What happens to one Black college will happen to all Black colleges. Maybe the march isn’t the solu tion, but it is a beginning. We have to start somewhere.” Terri Bradley - Spelman College: “I realize that there is a serious problem facing Black colleges today. I went to the march with the impression that the speakers would give us at least an idea as to what to do, but that didn’t happen.” Theodora Lee - Spelman College: "The purpose of the march was not for entertainment or to get students out of class, but to make them aware of the fact that we are facing problems. I think the march motivated those in attendance to the point where they felt they should do something to keep Black colleges." Name Withheld - Morehouse College: “There were students par ticipating in the march who really didn’t know why they were there. They were just marching to get out of class when they should have been in class lear ning how to deal with the problems that we, as black college students, are facing. We are the future and it's just around the corner. If they didn’t know why they were marching, they should have been in class preparing for that future.” By Karen Burroughs ——s*r