Newspaper Page Text
Page 5
January 31, 1992
Marching in Memory
of the Dreamer
By Kimberly Rice
"...The way of nonviolence
became an integral part of our
struggle. If one recognizes this vital
urge that has engulfed the Negro
community, one should readily
understand why public
demonstrations are taking place. So
let him march; let him make prayer
pilgrimages to the city hall; let him
go on freedom rides r, and try to
understand why he must do so."
- Dr. Marlin Luther King, Jr.
These words represent the heart of
the civil rights movement and a parade
in his honor.
On January 18, people all over
the world watched and participated in
the 7th annual Martin Luther King, Jr.
National Holiday Parade.
As the Morehouse College Glee
Club opened with a unique rendition of
"Lift Every Voice and Sing," the
parade began as a festive occasion.
With over 4,500 participants, the
parade consisted of 19 high school,
college and university bands from nine
states.
Along with the bands were 18
floats and 20 specialty units, one of
which included a 30-foot Statue of
Liberty.
The parade also included many
celebrities, such as singer Nancy
Wilson who served as hostess, actor
Blair Underwood of "L.A. Law" who
participated as the Grand Marshal.
Other "superstars" who weathered
the cold in memory of Dr. King
included many Spelman students who
volunteered as parade marshals.
The help of many Atlanta residents,
along with the Martin Luther King, Jr.
Center for Nonviolent Social Change
and the many volunteers worked
together to help make history in the
memory of a dream.
Non-violent Social Change:
Is It Still Effective?
By Elisa Smith
"When people can settle disputes
nonviolently, people are rarely hurt,
said political science professor and
panelist Dr. Jeanne Meadows,
advocating nonviolence as an
everpresent clfective means ol social
change.
This statement received dissension
from many students who packed
Quarles Library January 13 to discuss
the effectiveness of nonviolent social
change at a forum sponsored by the
ladies of the Mu Pi Chapter of Alpha
Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Panelist Koboi Simpson, a student
at Morehouse College and member of
KMT, believes that nonviolent social
change is no longer effective. Instead,
Simspon believes "self-defense is
necessary" (which, in some cases, may
require violence) against the
oppressors.
Nonviolent advocates "presuppose
that nonviolent oppressors have a
conscience," Simpson said. "They
exhibit too much faith in an already-
proven non-trustworthy person.
Some members of the audience
agreed with Simpson, questioning the
effectiveness of nonviolent strategies
in the Civil Rights Movement.
"I don’t see a whole lot of change
since I960,” said Deshaunda Gooden,
who is Ms. Spelman and a member of
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Dr. Meadows attributes the slow
progression since the Movement to
"satisfied” people - people who have
become complacent with the
accomplishments of the Civil Rights
Movement and who, therefore, have
accepted an end to the Movement.
Several members of the audience
agreed with Dr. Meadows, but many
believe that the nonviolent strategies
used during the Movement are no
longer effective.
"Racism is so entrenched in our
society [that] marching to and fro will
not eliminate it," said Simpson.
Additionally, some students noted
that racism - a reflection of society - is
pervasive in the educational system.
Though recognizing a need for changes
in the educational system, Dr.
Meadows does not believe violence is
the solution. tt
"Animals know only violence, she
But junior English major Kimberly
Yates believes that there is presently "a
new generation of Black people who
cannot relate to the concept of peace.
"The only thing we can have is a
violent revolution."