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Spelman Spotlight
October 12, 1983
Campus Speakers
Nikki Giovianni
“Question What You Don’t Believe”
by Jasmine Williams
News Editor
The audience waited in an
ticipation for her arrival. When
she walked onto the stage, she
received a warm welcome from
the packed crowd. Remarking
that she was always made to feel
at home during her visits to
Spelman got her another stan
ding ovation.
And thus the pace was set
when poetess, Nikki Giovanni
graced a packed Sister’s Chapel,
Thursday, September 22, 1983.
Not looking a day over 30, (she's
actually 40) she motivated,
heartened and inspired the
entire audience. Ms. Giovanni's
unofficial theme was, “Use your
mind to think.- Don't believe
everything you read or hear.”
For example, she pointed out
that our President is a sick man.
“I think it is really sad that jet 007
got shot down. I think anytime
269 people lose their lives, it’s a
sad thing. I just don’t think
Ronald Reagan could have been
too upset, it took him 4 days to
get back to Washington.” She
also stressed that although
America has assumed concern
over the incident (it was a Korean
jet), it isn’t a concern for the
black community. “Besides," she
added, “if somebody walked
into my house and 2 hours later I
couldn't get them to tell me their
name, I’d ask questions later
too.”
Ms. Giovanni also told the
crowd that we should be con
cerned with the money that is
going toward the defense
budget. Reagan is always asking
for more money. Ms. Giovanni’s
question is, “To protect what,
from whom? I live in a place
called Shaker Heights, Ohio and
we haven't seen a Russian in
years.”
Furthermore, she con
gratulated Vanessa Williams, the
new Miss America and said it was
long overdue. ‘And I am likewise
glad that whoever decided to
have a black Miss America,
decided to have a black runner-
up. Because if some crazy white
man decides he can't live with a
black Miss America and takes a
shot at her, he’ll be stuck with
another one. Anyway, I think
anytime a contest is held with
black women in it, we shoudl
clearly be the winner.”
But the highlight of the even
ing was the reading of her
poems. Her selections proved to
be pertinent and relevant to
black women today. Nikki
Giovanni didn’t preach, she
inspired. She didn’t talk down to
us, she talked to us, and she
didn’t grab us, she touched us.
Through it all, her message
remained loud and clear, “Ques
tion what you don’t believe. A lot
of the problems that we face
today will require a mass in
dividual effort and we must
insure that the black community
is not taken. Ignorance is not
bliss. Use your minds to think,
that’s what you’re in school for.
The Student Body of Spelman
College thanks Nikki Giovanni
for gracing us with words of
wisdom.
Maynard Jackson Stresses Importance Of Education
by Lynn Lawson
News Editor
On Thursday, September 22,
Spelman College presented the
honorable Maynard H. Jackson,
former mayor of the city of
Atlanta. Mr. Jackson, who ad
dressed students during
Freshman Orientation in Sisters
Chapel, is currently a practicing
lawyer specializing in public and
finance law.
Mr. Jackson spoke to the
students on “Your Education
Race: The Power You Need to
Win.” He began his speech by
emphasizing the uniqueness of
Spelman and its tradition. He
said, “The Spelman woman is
known all around this country as
something special.”
"It helps to know who you
are,” Jackson said. A graduate of
Morehouse College, Mr.
Jackson urged everyone to be
familiar with the Negro National
Athem because "it is absolutely
necessary to know what one
believes and where one came
from."
Mr. Jackson continued his
address to the audience by
expressing his views on educa
tion. "No one can take educa
tion from you for it is the proud
jewel in our lives,” he said.
"Education is the means to a
bigger end which results in
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THE SPELMAN SPOTLIGHT
invites you to submit
poetry and prose
to the new Spotlight
literary section:
ALL YOURS
Entry deadline for next issue:
Thursday, October 20,
4:00 p.m.
(submit entries to:
Nancy Travis, Literary Editor)
moving our people into a bigger
status.”
Mr. Jackson, a formidable
political figure, also spoke
about the importance of politics
in our everyday lives. “Politics
isn't perfect, but it is the best
nonviolent action we have,” he
stated. When asked by an
audience member what blacks
can do about the way we live,
Jackson responded, “By influen
cing political policy, changing
the people who set public policy,
and by voting, being informed
and leading we can change the
way we live." He also added,
“But if we don’t nobody will.”
He also told students that
“We’ve got to lead ourselves
because if we don't it won’t
happen. The leader is he or she
who is able to stand up for what
he believes,” Jackson stated
“Leading is what you’ve got to
do.”
Jackson concluded by saying,
“Use education to strengthen
your vision and fortitude. Help is
needed — coalitions are needed
and most of all support is need
ed.”
Monica Kaufman
Addresses Convocation
Monica Kaufman, anchorper-
son for WSB-TV in Atlanta, spoke
at Spelman CollegeonThursday,
September 29, 1983. Ms. Kauf
man addressed the audience on
“The Art of Questioning.”
A graduate of the University of
Louisville in Louisville, Ken
tucky, Ms. Kaufman was a
reporter on the Louisville Times
and an anchorperson on WHAS-
TV in Louisville before coming to
Atlanta.
An active member of the
community, Ms. Kaufman was
described as the “consummate
woman; extremely skilled and
accomplished.”
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