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„ Mum , gPOTLIrl I* I 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 nj u.. WHiJSi’N ”* f Pf* CM | jP, 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.”