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V—< THE voice of black womanhood
VoLXXVII, No. 2
Atlanta, Georgia
October 12, 1983
Black College Day ’83
Our Struggle Is Not Over
by Karen M. Burroughs
Editor-in-Chief
The fourth observance of
Black College Day was held on
Monday, September 26, 1983.
Students from the schools in the
Atlanta U niversity Center, as well
as other colleges throughout the
city, participated in the annual
march.
The marchers, comprised of
mostly Spelman students,
marched from Clark College to
the state capitol located in
downtown Atlanta. Once there,
the program was begun by
Mabel Thomas, of Georgia State
University, who served as mis
tress of ceremonies for the
program. Ms. Thomas stated in
her opening speech that
students must demand the con
tinuance of all black institutions.
“Make quality education your
priority and save your black
colleges,” she said.
Following the speech by
Mabel Thomas, Theodora Lee,
president of the Spelman Stu
dent Government Association,
addressed the audience. “We
will no longer take what is given
to us,” she began. “We have the
power to change the course of
the United States.”
Ms. Lee recalled the struggle
for civil rights in the 1960’s. “Our
struggle is not over,” she said.
"We want the power and spirit
that they had in the 1060's. We
must focus our attention on the
struggle that we, as black people,
face in this nation.”
Speeches were then given by
Carl Walton, S.G.A. president of
Morris Brown College, Wanda
Cudger, S.G.A. president of
Clark College, and represen
tatives of Morehouse College
and Atlanta University.
Maddix Moore, of Operation
Push, was instrumental in
organizing the Black College
Day 1983 march and rally. In his
speech, he told the audience,
"We are concerned because
there is a threat over th con
tinued existence of black
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colleges. The governor of
Georgia has stated that black
schools hurt integration,” he
said. “We are displeased with the
very discussion of closing black
colleges.
“A threat to black colleges
anywhere is a threat to black
colleges everywhere,” Mr.
Moore continued. Addressing
Joe Frank Harris, governor of
Georgia, he said, “I remind you,
Mr. Governor, that black
colleges were started because
whites did not want blacks to go
the schools. Who knows but that
God did not call black college
students are very important to
the black community,” he said.
"We need you to become
technically proficient and
politically conscious.”
“History does not have to
repeat itself,” he continued.
“We don’t have to go back in
chains, but it is a possibility.” Mr.
Simanja warned the students
against unproductive activities.
"You cannot spend all day
watching soap operas,” he said.
"Even our recreational activities
must be productive.”
The final speaker of the
program was Reverend Joseph
Lowery, National President of
SCLC. "We are here for no more
important task than to save those
institutions that have brought us
thus far long the way,” he began.
“You cannot only come here
once a year to talk about black
colleges. You must support these
institutions that have not been
supported all these years.”
Rev. Lowery continued by
telling the students that blacks
must put an emphasis on
widespread voter registration.
“We must turn the political
system to our advantage,” he
stated. "We’re not going to let
Ronald Reagan turn us around.
"The future is in your hands,”
he concluded. “That is why God
have us minds, bodies and
spirits... so that we could save
America.”