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T.W. Josey Band Teachers must Hosea Williams UNCF telethon goes to be judged by to complete focus Peach Bowl their compotency jail term on education p agel Page 6 Page 5 Page 6 Stye Augusta XXuu.iucuiEUi VOLUME 14 ’ NUMBER 31 New ‘Princess' of Black poetry reveals her inner feelings She is earthy and natural, at tributes that carry over to her writing, giving it realism that works like magic on her readers. It is no wonder she has been called the “Princess of Black Poverty.” Nikki Giovanni has been writing for as long as she can remember. While her poetry is no longer the sounding board for her anger as it was during the 60 s, she still is con cerned about the problems con fronting man today. “1 don’t fight reality. I never started out to change the world,” Giovanni said. Yet it was clear from her conver sation, as she addressed students at San Francisco State University in the McKenna Theatre, that she is troubled. “This cannot be as far as we can go. We can do better. We have to take in information, evaluate it, and give it back. We must find a way to bring out the best of our selves,” she said. “You know, we created all the problems of this world, and it’s up to us to come up with a solution.” Giovanni praised the work of the anti-nuclear groups. “But if they don’t drop the bomb, then the question is how shall we live? What about the elderly, the students who won’t be able to afford school? How will we survive? “You know, man is something else. If we were wiped off the ear th, do you know not one seal, not one bird would say damn, I miss What distresses Giovanni in her personal like is the rumor being; circulated by several groups that she supports the apartheid gover nment in South Africa. In 1974 as part of a tour to Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia, and Kenya to read her poetry at various universities and libraries, she was required to make a courtesy stop in Johannesburg, South Africa, to obtain a visa that she could continue to Uganda. “They have accused me of per forming in South Africa, where my books are banned. Some groups have tried to put me in a class of artists who are in cahoots with the racist government.” “I don’t support the boycott of South Africa. I refuse to join because it’s the fashionable thing to do this year. Hell, I’m a mem ber of the NAACP, that should be enough,” she said, hurt in her eyes as she removed her glasses from her slender face that mirrored her frustration. “You know, we’re real good at Melvin Bradley to help plan for Blacks role in upcoming inauguration A 56-person ethnic-heritage organization headed by White House Aide Melvin L. Bradley will plan and implement the par ticipation of hundreds of Blacks in' the four-day 50th presidential inaugration in mid-January. Sponsors said the second inaugural for President Reagan will attract more Black Republicans to the nation’s capitol than any other GOP ad ministration. Divided into an advisory and steering committee, the organization hopes to spotlight former high ranking GOP of ficials, such as Vai Washington, E. Fredrick Morrow, first Black ever to serve at the White House (under Eisenhower), and Clarence - < * Bi SL Ik doing things that are mean and ugly; we don’t need to practice that. What we need to practice is love,” she said, drawing applause from the audiende. Giovanni read material from “My House” and her latest book, “Those Who Ride the Night Win ds.” Themes of love, loneliness, growing old and childhood ex periences dominated the writing. “I’m a Gemini, I fall in love quickly, and I fall out of it about as fast. But it’s nice to be young and in love.” “I support sex, I’m a dirty old lady, and for you virgins out there, don’t worry it will go away.” Giovanni talked about the Rev. Jerry Falwell and his brand of morality. “He talks about the problem of young girls getting pregnant, and having abortions, but if they have the babies, then he calls them welfare cheats. “Hey, ask any girl, she’ll tell you the problem is the boy’s erec tion. Falwell needs to tell them boys to keep it down.” Giovanni also takled comically about her childhood, growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her sister. Although they were poor, they were happy. “White people will never under stand that Black love is Black wealth. Townes. Several events will honor the late Samuel C. Jackson, founder of the Council of 100, and many leading campaigners. Co-chairing the overall organization will be enter tainer Pearl Baily and Robert Brown, who served at the White House under Nixon. heading up the advisory commit tee in Lionel Hampton with Wen dell Wilkie Gunn as vice chair. Members include T. M. Alexander Sr., LeGree S. Daniels, Jewell LaFontant, John H. Bustament, C. J. Patterson. Gloria Toote and Wendel G. Freeland. Los Angeles Rev. E. V. Hill co chairs the steering committee with John L. Wilkes serving as vice chair. Among its members are Nikki Giovanni “But my father didn’t want to give us things and it got to the point where we didn’t want anything. I mean, hell no, I don’t want no bike.” Giovanni is busy raising her 15- year-old son Tommy, a challenge she takes seriously as a single parent. She realizes what young people are facing in the 80 s. “Young people have a higher rate of suicide than they ever had and, hell, I don’t blame them. Reagan took 49 states. 1 know why they’re depressed. “Most importantly though, don’t let anyone tell you, Black youngsters, that you’re not capable. Don’t listen to someone who gets paid to tell you that.” Giovanni stressed the importan ce of molding young people with positive thoughts to enable them to have good self-images. “If you have it in your mind that you’re wonderful and smart, then you will be just that. ’ ’ At 41, Giovanni says that she is aging gracefully. Still looking sharp, she was dressed in navy blue blazer, light blue pants and hair in a short natural. With age, she has calmed the raging fires that once burned, but the flames that still flickers is one that symbolizes hope. As she says, “I know there is something more to this life.” George Haley, Lance Wilson, Joe Kirven, Bill Pickard, Constance Newman, Larry E. King and Leßoy Jeffries. The first major event will be a salute to George Bush at the D.C. Convention Center. The next night, President Reagan will be honored at a black-tie gala at the center. On Sunday, a prayer service will beheld at the National Cathedral with a private swearing-in at the Whtie House. On Monday, Jan 21st, the President will be sworn in on the west portico of the Capitol Building followed by the parade down Pennsylvania Avenue. Eight inaugural balls will be held. From Jet Magazine. December 29,1984 ' • '■ _ £ ./ w- x -•> • Wm: » '»<■ f ' '■ " A-■ ..... «*«**«-', . '* f “ «’ ' >’Sl!Qr'’A - v v < ’W. ■ * < * * X ' A M.’ f -4/ .F W' mrVV IBr sMB ! W 1 BBhI Ziff IB ■’ i ' w I , : - ■■ «#< Mt H/|r ; B\ w Aw- . W «■ r« r>« «■ MKMsSigSg--ra.- • ~ i«■ j< it « ■ -<'?> faMIMMI >^K9WK<-40BDW ' >r klffria U' * ’fc~ g IK# * * io ! . wnt i xwjL 8 J ' -- ■ ■ * z " ' / ~ “ ." ■ The T.W. Josey High School Band will perform in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta Dec. 31. The band’s excellence has been rewarded by invitations to the Peach Bowl in 1979, 1980, and 1982 when they won the President’s Award. Last year, 11 members of the band received full four-year renewable scholarships estimated to be worth more than $200,000. Since 1977 the band has won more than 130 trophies and 40 plaques. Col. Charles Smith, director of the band, said, “When we perform, it’s got to be serious and business, too. But it’s also got to be fun. The students have to know that they can achieve educationally and compete against the very best. That’s what’s im portant—not the awards, but that they’re happy with their perfor mances.” Smith said that the band set a record at last year’s 10th District Concert Festival. His most significant achievement was the band’s “all superior” year. Josey’s band was the only band to get a perfect score in marching, concert, and stage band, including ail auxiliaries. Excellence and winning are not T.W. Josey band to perform in Peach Bowl festivities Less than 75 percent Advertising new for the 35-year-old Smith. A native of Demopolis, Ala., he taught at D.C. Wolfe High School in Shorter, Ala. before coming to Josey in 1977. His band won the Alabama Bicentennial competition in 1976 against 328 bands and represented the state of Alabama in the Bicentennial Parade in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Smith is a graduate of Jackson State University and earned a master’s degree at the Vander Cook College of Music in Chicago. Looking at the band perform one is immediately impiessed by the style, which Smith refers to as “FAMU” style. “I studied a little show design at Jackson State and a little with A.R. Casavanti in Chattanooga, but the show designs that 1 put together are all original. That’s what I enjoy. I’ve seen a lot of bands. I like to put on a show that anyone sitting there will enjoy.” He says the band has never got ten a negative comment from a judge. He said that despite the fact that band festival audiences are 90- 95 percent white and that he has seen only three Black judges in eight years-one in marching band and two in concert—it’s not a Black-white issue. “Fans, band boosters, and the public really make the band fell like they’ve contributed something to the event. They make us feel that way even when we don’t make the scores we think we should.” Augusta, he said, is one of the few' cities with Black band directors (seven). Smith credits his success to high school band director William C. Brassfield, who is now band direc tor at Tuskegee Institute High School. “He put in time with me and other students. He had college directors to work with us. He’s been my role model all these years. “I take my hat off to my parents who pushed me,” he said, adding that Josey has a supportive ad ministration and band boosters. He said that he is not surprised that the students are willing to put in the time to achieve excellence. “In art and music, if you have something exciting, educational, and fun, kids are going to work hard to achieve it. We put in a lot of time. We know the public is going to expect the best, and we’re going to give it to them.”