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Page 8 • SPELMAN SPOTLIGHT October, 1987
“Blue-eyed Blacks”
by Dwayne C. Williams
Every year, the socially
conscious element in the
Atlanta University Center
holds open forums. The
forums are devoted to contro
versial topics relative to
students at the A.U.C., and
Black people in general. No
matter what the chosen topic
for the forum may have been,
invariably the discussions
turned to the question of
Blacks trying to assimilate to
whites too closely.
In the past, I could look on
with a certain detachment
and smile inwardly at what I
perceived, and continue to
perceive, as an overzealous-
ness on the part of some to be
totally and unrealistically
separate in our Blackness.
Some of the most commonly
touched upon topics were
relaxed hair, hair additions,
and even the use of make-up.
The pros and cons as well as
the social implications have
been debated with fervor and
it appears that the majority
of the student body has
accepted the forementioned
as merely cosmetic
October
affectations.
In the past year or so, we
have seen the emergence of a
new fad in the Black commu
nity in the form of blue
contact lenses. This fad
appears to transcend the
boundaries of class, and
certainly of good taste. It
would be presumptuous as
well as unfair and inaccurate
to make a broad generaliza
tion about all Black people
who wear blue contact lenses.
So we will approach this from
the backdoor by posing
several questions. As a
people and as individuals we
must ask ourselves why we
chose to wear blue contact
lenses. Do we consciously or
unconsciously desire to be
white? On the surface, this
question may appear to be
ludicrous. However, upon
closer observation it may
prove to be an accurate
assessment. More succinctly,
do we wish to possess traits
that are exclusively white
because we perceive them as
being superior? Or, are we
just mindless drones that are
slaves to the dictates of
fashion trends.
If we are to examine the
potential damage that this
phenomena may cause to our
community, we must ask
ourselves two questions. To
what extent, and what type
of damage may this do to our
community? And, how does
white society perceive this
phenomena? Some may
answer minimal damage to
the first question, and who
cares to the second. If your
answer was minimal damage
to the first question, we need
to re-examine the state of
affairs of our nations Black
youth. We must examine the
levels of crime, gang warfare,
and drug addition in our
communities.
The most obvious cause for
these maladies is lack of
money. However, upon closer
observation, a more subtle,
invisible cause of our prob
lems is low self-esteem. Low
self-esteem does not scream
its presence with visible
displays, but it can cause
devastating results.
When some Black youth
observe other Blacks who
may be economically
fortunate wearing these
contacts, it sends out distinct
messages. It is akin to down
playing or trying to deny
one’s Blackness. The
resulting message is a lack of
self-pride within our commu
nity. Conversely, when whites
observe Black people wearing
them we are not only sending
out the same negative
messages, but we are also
reinforcing their psuedo
sense of superiority. Whites
have historically done this by
hailing individuals in their
own race that possess blue-
eyes and blond hair as the
most desireable types within
their race. It is not accidental
that the traits that they hold
in highest esteem are those
traits that are genetically
indigenous to their race.
As a people we must
analyze the possible conse
quences before we act. We are
responsible not only for
ourselves as individuals, but
also for ourselves as a race of
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
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2
3
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7
Reception with
Pres. Cole
President’s
Dining Hall
6:00-8:00p.m.
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9
10
11
12
XX English Week
;X; at Spelman ;
X; Giles Old Library :
Giles Ground Floor
/A- 7:00-9:00p.m. •
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14
15
16
17
18
19
20
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Spelman Women
Talent Festival
Sister’s Chapel
7:00-10:00p.m.
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25
Visitation of pastor
and choir
Sister's Chapel
11:00 convocation
Reception for pastor
and choir
President’s Dining Hall
12:30 or immediately
following services
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27
28
29
Halloween Party for
neighborhood kids
Manley Lower
Concourse
6:00-9:00p.m.
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people. We must build strong
foundations for our youth to
develop on. And we must
provide positive role models
for them to emulate.
If we are our peoples future
then we must ask ourselves,
“Do we know where we are
going?”
Employment
Opportunities
The following is a listing of
employment opportunities in
and around the Atlanta area.
Name: St. Peter Paul School
Hours: 3 to 6pm
Position: Teachers Aid
Salary: $5.00/hr.
Requirements: No Requirements
Contact: Teresa Wilburn
2560 Tilson Rd.
Decatur, Ga. 30032
Phone #: 241-3063
9 to 12pm
Name: Sherwin Williams
Hours: Made available when calling
Position: Manager Trainee
Salary: $17,000 + bonus
Requirements: Business/Econ.
major
2.75 GPA
Willing to relocate
Contact: David Owenbis
11 LaVista Perimeter
Office Park, Suite 107
Tucker, Ga. 30085
Phone #: 934-9070
Name: R.P.S
Hours: 2am to 6am
Position: Deck Package Handler
Salary: $7.00/hr.
Requirements: UPS Operations,
Loading Vans, etc.
Contact: Tim
Phone #: 624-3806
8 to lOam/Mon. thru Fri.
Name: R.P.S.
Hours: 6 to 11am
Position: Quality Control Clerk
Salary: $5.75/hr. (During
Probation) then $6.00/hr.
Requirements: Responsible for
Rewrapping
Packages,
Readdressing & any
other exceptions.
Contact: Dave Palock
Phone #: 624-3806
Name: R.P.S
Hours: 5 to 10pm
Position: Dock Data Entry Clerk
Salary: $5.75/hr. then $6.00/hr.
Requirements: Must have 10 key by
touch experience
Contact: Dave Palock
PHONE #: 624-3806
Name: Decatur Recreation
Department
Hours: 2:15 to 6:15 (20 hrs. wk)
Position: Recreation Leaders
Salary: $5.50/hr.
Phone #: 377-0494
Name: AT&T Communications
Hours: 5:45 to 11pm (M thru F)
10am to 5pm (Sat)
Position: Telemarketing Rep.
Salary: $5.41/hr.
Requirements: Excellent telephone
voice
Contact: Melany Allen
Phone #: 873-8212 or 873-7067
Name: T.P.S.
Hours: Made available when calling
Position: Appointment Setters,
Researchers, Surveyors &
Fund Raiser
Salary: $4.00/hr. to $10.00/hr. +
commission
Requirements: Good telephone voice
Phone #: 395-1855 (10am to 6pm)