Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

Spehntm Spotlight Page 2 Censorship? Tame la Newbold On October 25, 1990, a forum on censorship was held in the LLCII conference room. Well over one hundred students from the AUC came to hear the panelists’ views and share their own in this Living and Learning sponsored program. Much of the conflict concerning music censorship stems from the mid summer case in which a Florida federal judge ruled that the lyrics on the Miami rap group 2 Live Crew’s album "As Nasty As They Wanna Be" were obscene. This, the first ruling of its kind - ironically against an African-American group led to the banning of 2 Live Crew’s album in Florida and other parts of the country. There was much controversy as many people began to wonder why this group was being singled out for censorship when so many others had lyrics equally or more offensive. Many also debated who and what could deem a song or other work of art obscene. The lyrics of about four rap artists/musical groups were presented in the forum. They were BBD, 2 Live Crew, The Ghetto Boys, and Ice Cube. The panel consisted of Hal Lamar, a DJ from the popular Atlanta radio station V1Q3; poet, lecturer, and essayist Pearl Cleage, a 1972 Spelman graduate teaching at Spelman . this semester; and Nelson George. Each presented very different views on the issue of censorship, although all agreed that censorship should not be allowed. Hal Lamar based his argument on the premise that censorship starts in the home. He stated that he wouldn’t want his children listening to the lyrics of many songs on the market today. Moreover, he disparaged the misogynistic lyrics in these songs, saying that they are not a good message to pass on to the next generation. Lamar ended his argument by stating that if we educate our children against the negative ideas such as those presented by these artists and others, the] /ill have no audience for which they can present these views. Pearle Cleage, the second panelist, also began by stating her hatred for the misogynistic lyrics of the groups being discussed. Her stance on these lyrics is that they are debilitating to African American male/female relationships. Cleage also attacked the labeling of this music as "art". She questioned the artistic value of a male bragging about the rape of a black woman (Ghetto Boys) or of a male wanting to physically abuse the women carrying his child (Ice Cube). She feels that the treatment of black women as ignorant objects is wrong and questions the morals and values of those black men who choose to listen to such lyrics. She asked how black men would feel if black women listened to and defended lyrics by white men speaking of violence directed toward black men. She urges all black women to take a stand and refuse to listen to or be around those who listen to such music. This would produce a community - induced censorship, not one in which white society tells us what we can or cannot listen to. The third panelist, Nelson George, represented a bipartisan view of the issue. He djdn’t think the lyrics being discussed reflected a positive outlook for the community, but he supported many of the groups. In reference to the lyrics presented by rapper Ice Cube, George replied that despite the song and others by Ice Cube that discuss violence toward females, the rapper’s work as a whole has much artistic value since he raps about many subjects, not just violence against females. However, when discussing 2 Live Crew, George had nothing but negative things to say. He blasted the group and their music, stating that they had no artistic value and could never be compared with other, more venerable groups. Overall, George supports the music of some groups, overlooking their misogynistic lyrics, and blasts other groups because of it. All panelists agreed that no music, regardless of the lyrics lack of artistic value, should be subject to censorship. They all felt that while blatantly refuting our constitutional rights of freedom of expression, censorship is another racist tool used by white America to control the minds of African-Americans. Student response showed a general agreement with panelists. Most negative remarks were in regard to the disparate views of Nelson George. One Morehouse student from Miami, Fla. stated that we cannot negatively review the music since we are not all familiar with the environment from whence these rappers relay their experiences. He felt that these, rappers were speaking of "Their truth about black life - life in the streets, in the ghetto." A Spelman student, in remarking that the music does not offend her, stated "I listen to these groups for pleasure, and I like to dance to the beat." The overall message of the forum was that it is up to the individual to choose. Censorship is not the answer - - discretion is!!! THEMB/TOPIOSPONSOR Thanksgiving Rally kwanza Celebration for speakers and dates, CAU Student Killed Test Your Wit... By Delicia Ballard Early Sunday at about 12:30 a.m., two students from the Atlanta University Center were attacked during a robbery attempt. One was shot and killed, the other pistol-whipped. The murder victim was Duane Goodman, a 19-year-old, second semester freshman from Clark Atlanta University. Police officials stated that the robbery attempt occurred in front of 136 Vine Street near the E.L. Simon Courts. The two students were leaving from a friend’s dorm to go to the Vine City Marta Station when two men in a car stopped to ask for directions and latet»*returned to rob them. During the attack, Goodman’s 21- year-old companion was hit in the face with a gun by one of the robbers. His identity is being concealed to protect him from possible retribution. This incident has incited rage among CAU students. The university held a forum for the students to vent their grievances about the inadequate security on the campus. The security box located at the Simon Courts, 40 feet away from the incident, was unpatrolled. President Thomas Cole is working on a plan to get more money for security on the CAU campus. Other similar incidents have been reported in the AUC lately. Police officials are urging students to travel in groups, stay off the streets at night and always be cautious. There was a memorial service for Duane Goodman Tuesday, Nov. 13, in the CAU auditorium. At press time, a 17-year-old dropout was charged with the murder of the student. by Patrice PHnce Assistant to the Dean of Students Ms. Prince is the adviser/coach for the 1991 Campus All-Star Challenge. Campus All-Star Challenge was highlighted last Thursday, Oct. 18, on the NBC-TV Network sitcom, "A Different World." Campus All-Star Challenge is a question and answer academic quiz bowl for historically black colleges and universities. Spelman students are encouraged to form teams and sign up during the specified dates and times. Campus All-Star Challenge is a game of broad knowledge and quick recall. Based on the popular game College Bowl, Campus All-Star Challenge features teams of four players competing in head-to-head competition to score points by answering Toss-Up and Bonus questions. The questions cover every conceivable topic from literature, science, history, current events, religion, philosophy, art, mythology, music and drama, to sports and movies. African and African-American history, achievements, and culture will be well- represented in the question areas. Students who want to play in the Campus Tournament may sign up at Suite 210, Manley Center, Office of Student Affairs between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. from Nov. 13 - 19. Teams should consist of four students and an alternate. The Campus Tournament is the first leg on the road to the official Campus All-Star Challenge National Championship Tournament. Sixty-six schools are competing in Campus All- Star Challenge this year. The Sectional Play-offs are scheduled for Feb. 15 - 17, 1991. Spelman will be competing against Morehouse, Clark-Atlanta University, Morris Brown, Tuskegee, and Florida A&M at Spelman College. The top four schools from each Sectional will meet at the National Championship Tournament, in Washington, D.C., where teams are competing for a share of over $125,000 in grant money for Spelman College. Each school will win at least $1,000. The National Champions will win a grant of $50,000 for their school. The grant money will be used for a student scholarship fund. If you are interested in appearing on Black Entertainment Television (BET), and participating in one of the hottest "sports" on campus, then come out and play! Put together a team today!! Individuals may also sign up, and will be matched with other players. If you want to help with the Sectional Play-Offs, which will be hosted at Spelman College on February 15 - 17, contact me, Patrice Prince in the office of Student Affairs.