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February 1982 Spelman Spotlight Page 5 Birth Of A Nation Genocide Of A People Ohio State University: Visiting Day For Minority Students by Karen Burroughs On February 3, 1982, in Howe Hall, Dr. Leroy Davis and Dr. Bill Lawson presented a showing of the movie, "Birth of a Nation," made in 1915. According to Dr. Davis, the film was shown for analysis purposes. "This film is overtly racist,” says Dr. Davis. "It represents the majority of white attitudes toward blacks at the turn of the century. I feel that blacks have a tendency to look at movies without understanding the underlying tones.” I n the film, a note was added to the credits stating that the movie makers wished to show “the dark side of wrong,” and that the film is “not meant to reflect on any race of people today.” Despite the latter statement, the movip contained such references as “crazed negroes” and “helpless whites.” The Klu Klux Klan was shown as heroes and were referred to as “a veritable empire of the South.” Blacks were depicted as evil, wild, and reckless, and whites were portrayed as good and innocent. "It is very clear in this film that the good guys are white and the bad guys are black,” said Dr. Davis. “It implies that all problems experienced by America were caused by the presence of blacks. In addition, the movie was used to justify unbelievable horrors committed to blacks. Consequently, lynchings in the South increased 55 percent after the release of the movie.” "Still today the image of blacks on the screen is not very favorable,” said Dr. Lawson. “Shows such as ‘The Jeffersons’ and ‘Good Times' are simply mocking blacks. The movie 'Birth of a Nation' itself was laughing at us.” Dr. Davis added, “I think that students need experience in analyzing contemporary movies. Many movies have very serious implications as far as white attitudes are concerned. People too often get caught up in the story line without looking at these implications.” Dr. Davis offered a final suggestion for black students. “When you look at the things and the people around you, look at them carefully and analyze situations that affect you.” by Veronica Peggy Green The Eleventh Annual Graduate and Professional Schools Visita tion Days at the Ohio State University included four of Spelman’s top seniors. The program was formed in an effort to attract more minority students to attend Ohio State University. Students got a chance to visit the campus, talk with students and staff members, and make up their own minds. The program included some two hundred and seventy eight students from sixty Black colleges around the country who presented applications. Professor Laura Althemeir of Spelman’s Biology department states, “The Office of Minority Affairs at Ohio State University each year invites students to visit the campus. I think that the Minority Affairs Department provides the same sort of sup port system that the predominantly black college provides, only in a different setting.” Professor Althemeir added that the “closeness with each other that you would find on a predominantly black cam pus between faculty and students is active with this office. The support system provides a chance for the primary potential of the student to be realized.” The Spelman seniors who visited Ohio State University .were Lisa Crawford, Pamela Fryer, Emily Black, and Lavern Byas. Lisa Crawford, a pre- dental major, said that Ohio State University is "giving away a large amount of money. The most important thing is being able to visit and obtain professional contacts. I feel that the program should be continued." Pamela Fryer, also a pre- dental major, stated that they are "still pushing affirmative action and a lot of preference is given to students who attend this sort of program.” by Karen Burroughs Housing Process Begins February. A month for Valen tine’s Day, President’s birthdays, the observance of black history, and the start of Spelman’s hous ing selection process. The process will basically be the same as was used for the 1981-82 school year, which brought many complaints. Although Spelman is unable to guarantee housing for all students, several revisions have been made to improve the selection process. "Most of the complaints we received last year were concerning rooms and roommates,” says Mrs. Sandra Cummings, Administrative Assis tant for Residential Life Programs. “We revised that portion of the process in hopes that students would be more satisfied.” SAVE0N*f STYLE UP TO *25 OFF! SILADIUM COLLEGE RINGS NOW ONLY $0085 We've got what you want—a handsomely styled selection of college rings at a price you can afford. SILADIUM® College Rings carefully crafted in the ArtCarved tradition from a fine and durable jeweler’s metal. Add your choice of custom options to the design you select and you’ll have a ring you’ll want to wear for years to come. But don’t delay. Visit the ArtCarved Ring Table and get your ring at a price that’s too good to last! 7IRT(7IRVED \ CLASS RINGS, INC DATE: TIME: Afm//<?/#>- *■> DEPOSIT REQUIRED MASTERCARD OR VISA ACCEPTED PLACE: >£/</ *1982 ARTCARVEO CLASS RINGS. INC According to the process for 1982-82, each applicant for hous ing receives a rank-order number assigned by the com puter. All rising seniors will be guaranteed on-campus housing, and their applications will be processed first. Except for students in the Honor program and a limited number of Atlanta residents, both of whom are guaranteed housing, all rising juniors and sophomores will "compete equally” for the remaining upperclassman spaces. Unlike the process used last year, the new system allows the student to choose her own room, rather than having a room assigned to her based on her application. Based on their rank- order numbers, students will be given a time to sign up for a room. If two students want to be roommates, the student assigned these reservations, but they cannot make any guarantees. “This is because a student who has a higher number than the student in a tentatively reserved space, may insist on selecting the reserved space,” says Mrs. Cum mings. “I ask students to please try to honor the system of reservations. Just using common courtesy so people can get to roommates if they want to." As Spelman still does not guarantee on-campus housing to all students, many Spelmanites will be placed on the waiting list and assigned rooms only if they become available. Spelman offers several alternatives for students who are placed on the waiting list. The school offers “block housing” in the Perkin- son Woods units. Seventeen students were housed in these duplexes during the 1981-82 school year. Spelman also offers listings of private homes and apartments that rent to students. “I try to help students individual ly to secure housing off- campus,” says Mrs. Cummings. "Most of the students placed on the waiting list last year have now received on-campus housing, the higher rank-order number may tentatively reserve a space for her desired roommate, provided that the desired room mate has also been selected for housing. The housing office will make "every attempt” to honor Photo by Whitney Young most before second semester.” Students will receive instruc tions on the room sign-up system in late February, and the sign-up process will take place during the week of March 22.