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Page 2 Spelman Spotlight November, 1985 Sisterhood R-E-S-P-E-C-T by Elise Williams On this campus we often say with our mouths that we are sisters, but our behavior does not exemplify just what sisterhood is. In essence, we contradict what our tradition is all about. Granted, this does not apply to the student body as a whole, but if the shoe fits, wear it or better yet buy another pair. In asking some of the alumnae that work here on campus their definition of sisterhood, the general consensus was that sisterhood is the love and respect you have for a fellow Spelmanite. It is also being able to share your victories and defeats, the good times as well as the bad and your dreams as well as the achievements with one another. As Black women, being a double minority, it would only seem natural for us to possess this quality. Sad as it may sound, this is not always the case. Spelmanites basically are goal oriented and very determined young ladies, but in spite of this fact there are still some wrinkles that need to be ironed out. Empathy is a quality we should inherit as students in order to make sisterhood work. We aren’t concerned enough about each other. We are so busyl Either we are trying to get to class on time, completing assignments or mak ing it to the cafeteria before the doors lock. How many of us who live on campus can honestly say that we know the people we live next door to? Not just their names, but something about them, for example their favorite food or better yet their hometown. How many of us can honestly say we know the people in our classes? I am not talking about those you run to just to get the assignment you missed, but the young lady who sits behind you or next to you that you only recognize when in class. We must also learn to speak to one another and make an attempt to get to know your fellow Spelmanites. Try itl You can actually say “Hi" and still livel just because a person doesn’t dress, look, or wear the same perfume as you make them an alien. There are some people who are very shy or impersonal and they keep to themselves, but we must take that extra step to let them know that we are sisters. We will not be able to make it through four years of Spelman without the help of our sisters. We need each other and the quicker we realize it the better. Animosity is another trait we can trash. At times we resent each other but we really don’t know why. We might take this type of attitude because we feel as though we have been treated wrong or some of us act in this manner because the “green eyed monster” healousy has taken over us. Personally, I feel if someone has mistreated you it is best to pull them aside and let them know. Often we are not aware of our errors unless it is brought to our attention. Last but not least, we as Spelmanites are too apathetic. Support your school! Why should our parents have to pay the activity fee when we are running to other schools to support their events? Remember, charity starts at home. We might not have a football or basketball team but we do have a tennis and Continued on page 12 by Rhonda Matier Respect, as it relates to male and female relationships on the campuses of Spelman and Morehouse College, is an issue of great concern these days. Many Spelmanites are question ing the issue of respect regrding their male counterparts at Morehouse College. I believe this particular concern is a result of an accumulation of incidents which occurred during Morehouse’s homecoming celebration. Respect is a feeling of high regard, honor, or esteem and courteous regard. It may be awarded in a variety of ways. One may be “delegated" respect in an unconditional way. An by Stephanie Mathier Social-Chair, Jr. Class It has come to my attention that the students of the AUC have begun to de-emphasize pertinent social and political issues in favor of emphasis on personal financial and career objectives. Four months ago, as I was reading the July issue of Essence Magazine, I realized that not only have I noticed the apathy, but sociologist and political activists have noticed it also. There seems to be a nation wide trend toward social and political ignorance while finan cial and occupational needs remain continually nurtured. Perhaps American students find political awareness unnecessary individual may quality for respectability because of merits or outstanding accomplishments or on a more person level, respect may be earned by in dividuals who prove themselves capable. A person may claim the right to demand a certain degree of respect in several ways. A person who is chosen (by election or otherwise) to be a representative for an organization or mass body of people, supports the idea of unconditional respect. This chosen person is no longer viewed as a symbol of that particular group instead. The example just cited parallels with for material gain. Can it be that American students have become so one-dimentional? I have yet to comprehend the phenomenon which has left today’s students genuinely un interested in the affairs of the world (pretending to be in terested for Freshman Orienta tion credit does not count). Do students fail to realize the affects of world politics and culture on their lives? And what can we do to boost interest? As the Social Chiarperson for the Junior class of Spelman College, I have found that what would be beneficial to the student body would be a forum on international awareness. For three davs during the month of the circumstances of the in cidents that took place during Morehouse’s homecoming festivities. The Morehouse stu dent body selected a Spelman student as their homecoming queen. However, during the homecoming festivities there were several incidents that not only disrespected Miss Maroon and White (their homecoming queen), but Spelman students in general as well. I believe there are several individuals that at tend Morehouse College who need to re-examine definitions for respect or implement prin ciples that allow them to exercise proper respect towards others. November the Junior class will be sponsoring speakers representing different areas of the world in an attempt to increase international political and social awareness in the students of the AUC. The locations which will be emphasized will be the Middle East (Afghanistan), South America (Argentina), and the Far East (Japan). We hope that this will not be the only International Education Week. It is my wish for all that the quest for knowledge and understanding of people from around the world will continue, and that it will begin here at Spelman during the International Education Week, November 18-22, 1985. Political Awareness Editor-in-Chief Art Editor Lynette Glover Photo Editor Kirsten Ray Associate Editor Jennifer Satterfield Public Relations Debbie Marable Rhonda Matier Sports Editor Feature Editors Advertizing Marie Roberts Temelle Wilds Karen Green Terri Lee Literary Editor Entertainment Melanie White Anna Ponder Health Editor Phyllis Paul News Editors Jasmine Williams Angela Hubbard Layout Editor Natalie Heard Copy Editor Circulation Manager Chavda Polk Triphenya Zachery 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 number is 525-1743. Letter To The Editor Dear Editor, I was a little surprised at the letter I read in the last Spelman Spotlight about Dr. Stewart’s son. It made me wonder what freedom was. From my un derstanding, freedom means having the right to make a choice, whether it is about what you want to eat, where you want to live, who you want to go out with, or what school you wish to attend. In all honesty I do not see how the school he has chosen to attend is going to make him any less black. Harvard is one of the best colleges in the country and it is no better for blacks to tell him he should not go there than it is for whites to tell him he cannot go there. At a dedication for the Spelman Art Building on April 12, 1964, John Rockefeller 3rd said, “The Negro protest, mili tant and determined, is not just a struggle for a wrong. Rather it is a struggle for a right. Its real roots are in the spirit — and the letter — of our democratic heritage. It seeks not an empty symbol nor a mere emblem of status. It seeks instead what is real and basic to the Negro and to every American; his personal dignity, his education, his job, his i home.” Rockefeller went on to say, “Only a totally free America, meeting the ideals, rights, and aspirations of all, regardless of race, can maintain ideological leadership." My point is this, black colleges were not established to keep blacks out of white colleges. They were established to give us the educational opportunities which we had been denied. Now that we have the ability to attend the colleges which will open the most doors for us we should take advantage of that. It is wrong for anyone to discourage you from the path which you feel will be most beneficial to you even if it means not going to college at all. That is the reason for choice; that is freedom. Coming to Spelman was a choice I made and am happy with, I was not forced and I hope the person that wrote the letter was not forced. How, I wish. If he is lucky, Dr. Stewart’s son will be happy with his CHOICE and if he is not happy he can CHOOSE to do something else. Sincerely, Marie Roberts > >