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T LIGHT
The Voice of African-American Womanhood
Volume XXXV No. 7
February/March 1992
Anita Hill Celebrates
Black Herstory Month at Spelman
By Riche Richardson
As part of Spelman’s Black
Herstory Month Celebration, law
professor Anita Hill visited the campus
and gave an address.
Sisters Chapel was filled to
capacity when Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole
stood and introduced Anita Hill. Dr.
Cole gave a biographical sketch of
Professor Hill and stressed the
importance of celebrating our sister
who "struck a blow for freedom." She
also noted that "gender equality is as
important as racial quality."
Professor Hill had not previously
visited Spelman and the trip was her
second one to Georgia. She began her
address by discussing family.
The youngest of 13 children (five
sisters and seven brothers), Professor
Hill expressed regret over never having
a younger brother or sister. "I wanted
to have someone to tell what to do,"
she
said. Nevertheless, she embraced the
women of Spelman as her younger
sisters.
"You are at an age where you’re
just now embarking on a whole new
set of experiences...If you are to gain
the benefits of life, you must be
prepared to meet its challenges," she
said.
Professor Hill suggested that her
"younger sisters" look to history for
strengths. Mary Prince was an
example of a black historic heroine
who spoke for all, criticized without
compromise and recognized her own
greatness.
Professor Hill also mentioned
Harriet Jacobs as an example of a
heroine who condemned atrocities
committed against the female enslaved.
According to Professor Hill, "we
must connect with our history if we are
to know ourselves and know what we
are capable of."
To face the challenges of 1992,
Professor Hill urged students to look to
exemplary figures such as school
president Johnnetta B. Cole, Sharon
Pratt-Dixon (an individual characterized
by rugged individualism and
determinism), Clara McBride Hale
(who "loosens death’s grip" on victims
of drugs), Maya Angelou and Alice
Walker (who give us a mirror to see
ourselves and the opportunity to expand
ourselves), and the African-American
Women in Defense of Themselves (the
women who published a full-page ad in
the The New York Times, Nov. 17,
1991).
Professor Hill encouraged reaching
back as progress occurs. "You do not
abandon the African-American
community, and neither does it
abandon you."
Finally, Professor Hill emphasized
the importance of maintaining integrity.
She stated that the work environment
has not improved and that sexual
harassment is always a possibility.
Yet, she urged students to remember
that in such hostile situations, they are
not alone.
She urged students to speak out, to
raise their voices in protest and to "not
compromise simply for the sake of
survival."
Professor Hill reiterated the power
of history. According to her, it is a
weapon with which one cannot fail.
Ultimately, stressing lifting the
community, Professor Hill gave
students several reminders.
"You are a vital part of a
collective...Don’t forget to show
compassion for your younger sisters."
Surely Professor Hill’s visit will go
down in Spelman history.
Wynton Marsalis Lectures at Spelman
By Erica Wright
Grammy award winning jazz artist
Wynton Marsalis addressed over 150
people about "Race and Culture" in
Sisters Chapel.
Known for being very outspoken
about his views, Marsalis had a lot to
say about his topic and about other
issues that concern today’s society.
Marsalis says the irony of being Afro-
American is that we are a combination
of everyone’s race.
"We are everyone’s race because of
the mixtures in our blood," he said.
"We are not one race, we are many
races."
He described culture as containing
the identity of the people and as
"inclusive."
"Culture takes in the racial," he
said. "It is an everchanging reality that
is the heart of human experience."
The discussion was not limited to race
and culture. During his lecture and
later during the question and answer
session, he spoke about his family, his
place in culture as an artist, his
hometown (New Orleans), the
economy, the concept of democracy,
and those who have influenced him
during the years.
Of Duke Ellington he said, "His
level is untouchable."
He said John Coltrane’s sound is
"deeper than soul."
"The best, when corrupted, are the
worst," he said, referring to Miles
Davis’ lifestyle as well as his music.
Some students who came to hear
Marsalis play were disappointed when
he came on stage without his horn.
However, during the question and
answer period, a student brought his
horn to the stage and Marsalis
consented to play.
Later that night, Wynton Marsalis
and the Spelman Jazz Ensemble
performed two shows at the Roxy
Theatre. Members of the Jazz
Ensemble were excited and couldn’t
wait to perform, but some students
were calmed by Professor Joseph
Jennings’ words.
"Mr. Jennings warned us about
what to expect," said sophomore
Kanini Ward. "We’re pretty confident
about what we do. What he [Marsalis]
does is a whole different thing."
Shari Mattison, another member of
the Jazz Ensemble, said, "Wherever I
go, I can look back and say ‘I’ve
performed with Wynton Marsalis’."
Marsalis was in Atlanta as part of
the Black History Jazz Series
sponsored by Clark’s WCLK.