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Page 6 • SPELMAN SPOTLIGHT February, 1988
The Struggle Continues
by Jill Bryant &
Jiea Rutland
The Question?
We, the children born after
the civil rights era, have been
coined, “the intergration
generation.” Has intergration
had a negative affect on our
desire for civil rights? Has it
made us less determined
than our parents and our
grandparents, who sought
equality and respect from
their white counterparts? We
believe that the answer is
yes. Intergration has put a
damper on our struggle and
it has forced us to be satisfied
with our situation at home,
in the United States and has
allowed us to turn to our
brothers and sisters in South
Africa, what about our
brothers and sisters across
the street on Ashby?
The month of February is a
month of love which we cele
brate our history as people of
Afro-American Heritage.
February should also be a
time in which we renew our
commitment for the struggle
to obtain equality. We
recently celebrated Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s
birthday. We commemorated
the dream, which was fought
for so diligently in the 1960’s.
The leaders of the Civil
Rights Movement suffered for
the progression of minorities,
such as blacks, the poor,
Hispanics, etc.
The Problem
We recently had the oppor
tunity to talk with Bryce
Smith, a past Morehouse
student, who was active
during the Civil Rights Era.
He is now serving as the
Director of the Atlanta
Research Center.
When Mr. Smith was asked
about the importance of the
Martin Luther King Jr.’s
Holiday and the lack of
participation of students in
the Atlanta University
Center, he stated, “it is hard
to determine where you are
going, if you don’t know
where you came from.” The
essence of Mr. Smith
comments was that the lack
of student participation was
senseless, and demonstrated
the noncholant attitude of
black students today. This
attitude is perpetuated
throughout the black
community. “We are no
longer on their minds
because we are no longer on
our minds.” How can we
expect the white man to be
aware of the injustices facing
our people, if we do not feel
obligated to continue the
struggle started by those
during the Civil Rights Era.
The intergration genera
tion has been plagued with a
lack of awareness of their
position in the unjust world.
Has the plague number and
blinded us to places such as
Forsyth County, Georgia and
Howard Beach, New York?
When talking to Dr. K.
Farouk Brimah, Director of
Research with the Voter
Education Project, Inc.
concerning the political
participation of Atlanta
University students, he
stated some disappointing
statistics. In the 1984 presi
dential primary, when Jesse
Jackson was a candidate, less
than 2% of the- students
actually voted. In the 1986
election, only 19% of those
registered actually voted.
We are not giving you these
facts and figures as criticism,
however, one must realize
that the lack of political
participation is detrimental
to the black community and
is perpetuating the self
destruction of our
community.
The Solution
The solution to the problem
is not simple in any way,
shape, or form. In fact, it will
take years to turn from
regression to progression of
the black community.
The first step is for us (as
blacks) is to recognize from
whence we came. We must
learn about the struggle and
what is stood for. We must
have a working knowledge of
our history and the mistakes
which were made. We can
learn from and improve upon
our past instead of
regressing because of a lack
knowledge. The second step
is to participate in the polit
ical process and take advan
tage of our right to vote, the
right which our brothers and
sisters in South Africa are
fighting for. There is no
excuse for the Atlanta
University Center to have the
lowest voter turnout in the
district. The “AUC” is the
“mecca of black leadership.”
We should have the votes
which candidates are desper
ately vying for.
The presidential primary
of 1988 is right around
comer. March 8th is “Super
Tuesday,” in which several
southern states will hold
their primaries. The signifi
cance of the primary must be
recognized. It is here that the
number of delegates per
candidate is decided. If you
don’t vote in the primary, you
Junior Class News
by Michele Strickland
Test Taking Information
In less than five months,
we the Class of 1989 will be
embarking on our fourth year
at Spelman College. We will
be faced with the decision to
continue to higher levels of
education or to join the work
force. Although graduation is
more than a year away, prep
arations for these decisions
must occur now. It is time to
start acting upon the goals
that we have set for
ourselves.
For those of us who have
decided to continue our
education, certain steps have
to be taken to be accepted
into schools of higher
learning. Whether it be grad
uate or professional schools,
we must meet certain
requirements before
entering.
February is the month set
aside for Juniors to take the
GRE Practice Examination.
Even for those who do not
plan to attend graduate
school, the test is a require
ment for graduation at
Spelman College.
Many are concerned with
how to prepare for the GRE
and similar examinations.
The Life Planning Office
suggests Arco’s book on how
to prepare for the GRE. The
office provides this book and
other aids for preparation.
Flower’s Guide to the
MCAT is a practice manual
available for those who will
be testing for admissions to
Medical School. In addition,
the Stanley Kaplan course is
taught at Morehouse for
further assistance in prepa
ration for MCAT testing.
Barron’s publishes a book
that is helpful in preparing
for the LSAT and material
that will assist those inter
ested in taking the DAT can
be found in the Biology
department.
Using the books and mate
rials suggested along with
practical methods of prepa
ration will be beneficial in
taking these entrance
examinations.
should not complain about
the selection of a presidential
nominee.
During their constant
struggle, our forefathers kept
in mind the old African
proverb, “There is no honor
without shame.” They under
went the shame so that we
could reap the honor. It is now
our duty to honor our fore
fathers by continuing with
the struggle. This can only
occur if we shed our
nonchalant attitude and
accept the responsibility of
being active participants in
American society. This
includes voting and being
aware of the crisis of our
brothers and sisters on the
homefront. Although we may
be termed the “Intergration
Generation,” we still have the
ability to make a change.
Senior Class
News
Dear Seniors,
Welcome Back! The Senior
Class Cabinet has planned a
semester full of many
exciting activities. We hope
that all of you will come out
to support these activities,
since this will be our last
semester here at Spelman.
Many seniors have been
questioning the Senior Class
officers as to what is going on
with the Senior Class trip,
graduation announcements,
class rings, graduation
speakers and so forth. We
hope to answer many of these
questions in this section of
the newspaper, so please look
out for any pertinent
information.
Lastly, if any member of
the Senior class has any
news (professional and/or
graduate school acceptances,
awards, honors, engage
ments, etc.) please feel free to
contact Lisa Taylor or Jackie
Spaulding at 688-2559. Also,
for your convenience a enve
lope will be placed on the
Senior Bulletin board for
such news. Good luck in your
studies and have a great final
semester!!!
Sincerely yours,
Lisa Taylor &
Jackie Spaulding
Co-Corresponding
Secretaries, Senior Class
More News
*SENIOR CLASS TRIP
Where: Walt Disney World,
Orlando, Florida
When: Wed., March 9,1988—
Sun. March 13, 1988
(4 days, 3 nights)
Cost: $164.00 (Includes
roundtrip bus ticket,
hotel expenses, and
two—one day passes
to Walt Disney and
the Epcot Center.)
Group #: 45 people
A deposit of $50.00 is due
as soon as possible. The
complete balance will be due
by the end of February.
Monies should be submitted
to Angela Jenkins-Manley
Hall (rm. 325) or Sonji Lynn
Smith-LLC (rm. 122).
For more information
contact:
Sonji Lynn Smith
LLC rm. #122
688-2559
*Class Meeting Schedule
for February
Tues. Feb. 9, 1988
Howe Hall, 6pm
Tues. Feb. 23, 1988
Howe Hall, 6pm
*Graduation Announce
ments & Class Rings
Orders for graduation
announcements and class
rings will be taken at the
next two class meetings in
February. These dates will be
the last available times to
place orders. For more infor
mation please contact:
Lydia Boyd
659-5343
*CONGRATULATIONS
Renita Barge
Meharry Medical College
Tina James
Meharry Medical College
University of Tennessee,
Memphis Medical School
♦GRADUATION
COUNTDOWN
As of February 1, 1988
there are:
112 days
2,688 hours
161,280 minutes and
9,676,800 seconds till
GRADUATION!