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Page 2 Editorials and Other Thoughts... Black Politics: The Facts by Khadija C. Cabey Political Columnist The 1960’s signified the most dramatic political gains by black America since the beginning of this country's history. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a monumental gain because it eliminated most of the legal barriers to black political par ticipation in the South. At the same time, sweeping demographic changes in the North facilitated the emergence of black political power in its urban centers. By the end of the 1960's, black mayors and con gressmen became visible representations of the fact that the American political system could indeed respond to the aspirations of minorities at the polls. Since 1965, the number of black elected officials has in creased tenfold. During the'70’s, the number of black elected officials increased dramatically at every level of government: federal, state, and local. Blacks have now been elected to every major catagory of public office with the exception of the presidency, the vice presidency, and governship. Impressive as these gains may appear, they are small when viewed from the perspective of the American political system as a whole. The 5,160 black elected officials that held offices in 1982 constituted only about one per cent of all the elected officials in the United States. Stated more clearly, for every 100,000 non blacks, there are 224 non-black officials. For every 100,000 black Americans there are only 19 elected officials. Where do we go from here? The statistics clearly show that black Americans are still poorly represented in the American political system. It is our duty and responsibility as the fortunate few who are receiving training to be the "cream of the crop” of our black communities, to become deeply involved in our American political process. In this presidential year we should not only register ourselves to vote and actually go to the polls and vote, but we should also encourage our friends and relatives to do the same, and appeal to the com munity at large by participating in voter registration drives. The Georgia presidential primary will be held on March 13th, “Super Tuesday,” so mark this date on your calendars. The names that will appear on the ballot are as follows: Reubin Askew, Alan Cranston, John Glenn, Gary Hart, Ernest Hollings, Jesse Jackson, George McGovern, and Walter Mon dale. These individuals are all seeking the Democratic party’s presidential nomination. Your vote can make a difference. Although Jesse Jackson’s can didacy has sparked an increase in the number of blacks registered to vote in 1984, we must cotninue to vote in national, state, and local elections in 1988, 1992, 1996, etc., in order to further increase the numbers of our Black elected officials and to insure that the American political system views the black vote as a necessary ingredient to any successful political cam paign. Editor-in-Chief Reporters Karen M. Burroughs Photo Editors Khadija C. Cabey Nelson Valentine Anita Wallace Associate Editor R. Melvin Jones Deanna K. Wallace Veronica P. Green Melanie Cook Art Editor Lisa Lawson Layout Editor Debra Johnson Charles W. Reese Lynette clover Sonya D. Walton Fine Arts Editor James W. Matthews Circulation Manger Kimberly Harding Stephanie Grant Stephanie Wilks Denise M. Johnson Literary Editor Gary Foster News Editors Nancy Travis Jan Holland Lynn Lawson Rhonda Jackson Jasmine William Advertising Managers Dawn Ison Photographers Feature Editor Thomasine Toles Susan Scott Carolyn Grant David Perkins The Spelman Spotlight is a bi-monthly publication produced by and for the students of Spelman College. The Spotlight office is located in the Manley College Center, lower concourse, of Spelman College. Mail should be addressed to Box 1339, Spelman College, Atlanta, Georgia 30314. Telephone numbers are 525-1743. Apathy at Spelman by Anita T. Wallace Within one week, we’ve had the honor of having two well renowned speakers on our cmapus. On February 13, Jesse Jackson came to speak in Sisters Chapel in regard to his presiden tial campaign. Two days later, former U.S. Congresswoman Yvonne Braithwate Burke was present to address the issue of black politicians in the 80’s. Both of these speakers were dynamic, and offered their audiences very inspiring messages. The only flaw in these orations was that the attendance in each was absolute ly pathetic. In all of the people present to hear Rev. Jackson speak, were seated comfortably with no spaces between themselves, they would have only been able to fill the middle section. However, with a little spreading out, we managed to scatter ourselves amongst all three sections. This does not include the balcony, which was totally empty. I realize that it was pouring down rain and it was a school night, but those are just excuses. In the words of an Emory University representative that was present, "If we were giving away reefer in here, this place would be pack ed.” The turn out was even less for Mrs. Burke. There weren’t even half of the people present to hear her speak as there were for Rev. Jackson. These are just two examples, but poor attendance is not a rare occurance for events such as these. However, check out the “Phoenix” on any Saturday night. Not only are these incidents embarassing for the S.S.G.A., who sponsor most of these speakers, but it says a lot about the Spelman community as a whole. If the student body can fill up the entire Howe Hall to watch the movie “Sparkle,” and only one pew in the Chapel to hear a presedential candidate, then something is definitely wrong. In my opinion, this behavior shows a serious lack of interest in serious matters among the ma jority of the student body. The speakers that the S.S.G.A. provide for us are doing and saying things that will directly effect our lives. Whether it is a politician speaking on the state of the economy, an executive sharing her key to success, or a poet encouraging us to strive for more — they are all designed to inspire us, and leave us with knowledge we didn’t have before hearing them. If that isn’t sufficient reason ing, then consider how expen sive they are. The S.S.G.A. spends anywhere between 1,000 and 3,000 dollars per speaker. This money is taken from a percen tage of the 175.00 student fee that we pay every semester. Therefore, if you are not taking advantage of these speakers you can consider yourself throwing away money. The availability of such a wide (Continued on Page 7) Letters To The Editor Dear Editor, This is a response to your editorial written on January 27th in the Spelman Spotlight. My personal experience with the Spelman women has been one of total enlightenment. This past year I have been on your campus several times. Each time on your campus, I have been treated like a diplomat. The typical Spelman woman, from my experience, is not a snob or stuck-up individual. To the contrary, I have found the females at Spelman to be in telligent, well-informed, ar ticulate, and exceptionally beautiful. My image of a Spelman woman is similar to that of Leslie Sykes, Spelman’s “Model of the Year” and Ann Dennard, “A Spelman Woman.” In every sense of the word, a Spelman woman is beautiful. To Spelman women, I en courage you to keep up the good work and stay beautiful. Your image is excellent. My best regards for the future of Spelman women. Your brother, Lester Moody Tallahassee, Florida Dear Spelman Sisters, I am having a fantastic time in Florence. The city is simply beautiful and the people are quite warm and friendly. I live with an elderly woman who is quite nice and is helping me to learn Italian. The school is great and all instruction is in English! Whew! Although I adore Forence, I really miss all of you and dear Spelman. Since I cannot write each of you, I hope that this letter can be put in the next issue of the Spotlight. Love to all of you, Jasmine Pugh Dear Editor, Once again Spelman’s ad ministration is “out to lunch.” Do you realize that we are well into the second semester and as of February 20, 1984, parents have still not received first semester grades? This is out rageous! What’s taking so long? With the exception of other schools within the AU Center, all other institutions that I know of received grades during Christ mas break. Again I ask, what’s taking so long? It is true that Spelman produces exceptional women, but its administration is not only unexceptional, its un acceptable. My parents are starting to wonder if I even attended school last semester! They haven’t gotten my grades yet, but of course they have already receiv ed a bill for this semester’s tui tion. There seems to be a loose end somewhere. How is it that we can get bills for this semester and we’re still waiting on grades from last semester? Spelman, give us a break. Let’s have a little more organization in the administration department. We pay too much money for this kind of negligence. Debbie Marable Sophomore Dear Editor, As boarding members of Spelman’s community we are subject to the recruitment ploys of many campus clubs. I and many others have become repeatedly frustrated by the continuous attempts by par- ticipantsof AUC religious groups to increase memberships. Unlike other organizations, this group goes door-to-door giving sur veys and initiating prayer for committment to God. Do not get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with giving religion a place in one’s life - if you want it. But for those who are fully satisfied with their present relationship - or non relationship - they should not have to feel obligated to com plete a survey which asks per sonal questions concerning religious attitudes. How do you tell a disciple of Christ to leave you alone? Therefore, many of us sit half-heartedly through an interview that seems to be more of a harrassment than a help. For we who have had enough (I have endured not one, but three, surveys, two additional inter views, and many phone calls) we ask that they grant us immunity. Religion is a personal commit ment. We’ll come around when we so choose. Stephanie Mclver Freshman