Newspapers / Bennett College Student Newspaper / March 23, 1995, edition 1 / Page 2
Part of Bennett College Student Newspaper / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
2 • BENNETT BANNER • March 23, 1995 Editorial The opinions expressed in this column are the a uthor's and do not necessariiy represent the opinions of the Bennett Banner staff Affirmative Action blasted Look at it. Picture the future of graduating and experiencing that first taste of the corporate world. You walk in with your resume and other qualifications that you think “the man” behind the desk is looking for. But in spite of the abilities that may be there, the job may not be given to you. The case may be that the company has its quota of minorities, and you simply came in too late. All too often, the job may be given to a less than qualified white person. This is the argument to get rid of affirmative action, but this time it’s looking at it from a different perspective. Recently, Senate Majority Leader Roben Dole began the process of putting together an affirmative action hearing. This development was on the heals of the Congressional Research Service Report citing 132 federal programs that gave preferential treatment based on race, sex, and national ity. Dole said that the purpose of the hearings are to explore ways that the program could be changed, and “If there are other ways to expand opportunity for all Americans without resorting to strategies that rely on preferences for individu als because they belong to certain groups.” In a perfect world, there is equality for all in spite of race and color. In the real world, in spite of a person’s capability to do a job, the race factor can present itself as an issue. President Clinton has been accused by many of avoid ing the affirmative action issue for as long as he can, and is, as DeWayne Wickham explained in his recent column in USA Today, “a master when it comes to clouding the issues.” According to Wickham, a confidential White House memo dated Feb. 5 contained a plan on Affirmative Acfion that was designed to pit Clinton between those for and against Affirmative Acfion. The memo further stated that discrimination still exists, but voluntary and remedial measures would be considered too extreme. Clinton has also been accused by groups such as the National Orgamzation for Women for abandoning issues. To these special interest groups like NOW, it seems as though there is no one fighfing for affirmative action. The groups are not getting the reassurance they need from Clinton, who only states that he isn’t “backing off’ of the issue, but just says that it is fime to “review” it. Does it make you sleep better knowing that you may not have a job when you graduate because the “Good Old Boys “ network may rear its ugly head? o* u ■ Stephanie McCorkle Editor Op Letter Policy The Bennett Banner welcomes all letters that are typed, double-spaced, and 10 longer than 500 words. All letters to the editor must be signed, and they nclude the author's name address and dayUme telephone number. No letters vill be printed in the Banner without the author's name. Once submitted the fetters become the sole property of the of Bennett Banner. The Banner reserves the right to edit. Letters may be hand delivered to the Banner office in Shell Hal] C or mailed to Letter to the Editor, The Bennett 3anner, Shell HaU C Room 2, Bennett College Greensboro, NC 27401. Commentaries Freaknik fun may be no more “Freaknik” is a testament that the spirit of fun can last as long as the will to move on is kept alive. Nearly ten years ago, the Morehouse College D.C. Metro Club organized and sponsored the beginnings of what we recognize as Freaknik. At this milestone in Atlanta’s history, we must make the decision to discon tinue the pilgrimage to Pied mont Park and transform the energy of this festival into a new decade of Black College history. For the past three years, Atlanta has co-sponsored Freaknik, which drew over 200,000 participants in 1994. This year. Atlantal Mayor Campbell is saying “No” to the responsibihty of keeping order and peace in the city by not co sponsoring the festival. The mayor has decided, in a statement issued by his office, to close the event’s location. Piedmont Park and Peach Tree street, for Freaknik’95. The optimistic veteran of Freaknik will find a way to continue the celebration and fellowship during this year’s scheduled weekend of April 21. Al though this attempt is noble, it is not feasible. In 1994, the city spent close to $300,000 of public funds to maintain the safety and the sanitation of the city during the event. Without this monetary support, experiencing Freaknik might be more disappointing and painful than the resulting boredom from staying at home. If we take part in Freaknik, we run the risk of igniting a situation that will bum out of control. Virginia Beach, Belmar, N.J., and countless other recent events points out what can happen when people show up where they are not welcome. Freaknik is not, and never has been a time to challenge the “authorities.” Instead, it should be and opportunity to be cooperative and prove one’s civility. It is understood that Freaknik has the energy to bring people together and create lasting memories. This power will always belong to and be created by black college students. Therefore, the possibility of transforming this new obstacle into an opportunity for creating a different event should be welcomed. Not going to this year’s festival will prove that the mature choice to stay away does not always mean a decision to run away. In the tradition of Freaknik, we should feel confident about not giving up, but moving on. Fanya Stansbury senior Trenton, NJ Business Administration Use common sense when drinking alcohol Spring break equals sun and fun for most people. It also can mean tha't people can put themselves at the risk of hurting someone else. It is not suggested that drinking should be prohibited because you cannot stop adults from doing what they want. But it is wise for those who insist on drinking to use common sense and not get behind the wheel of a car, or engage in activity that they know they are too intoxi cated to handle. Being able to buy alcohol does not make one an adult, but having the mind to know when enough is enough determines the maturity level of that individual. There are groups that use the motto of moderation and responsibility as a message to college students. Party Smart is one such group. 11 promotes itself as an alcohol and education aware ness program that is geared toward people that choose to drink. This does not mean that Party Smart condones or is against the idea of drinking, but rather acknowledges that there is an audience of people who indulge in alcohol consumption in colleges and universities. Everyone has the right to have fun on vacations, but carelessness and high alcohol consumption should never go hand in hand because it may lead to death._ Stephanie IVIcCorkle Editor The Bennett Banner The Newspaper produced by the Phenomenal Women of Bennett College EDITORIAL STAFF Stephanie McCorkle - EDITOR Crystal Simenton - MANAGING EDITOR Christine Lewis - CHIEF COPY EDITOR Cinzia "Buffy" Atkinson - SPORTS EDITOR Eva Brooks - GREEKS Yvette Burton - ACES Latasha Gordon - CAMPUS SECURITY Mariacorazon Hill - HUMANITIES Jokima Joynes - HEALTH, BUILDINGS & GROUNDS Tamu Johnson - MOVIE REVIEWS Stephanie Martin - FINANCIAL AID Tahja McVay - BELLE SPORTS La Keisha Walker- DORMITORIES Valerie Weathers - PHOTOGRAPHER Blanca Williams - BELLE SPORTS Kelita Vanterpool - BELLE SPORTS BUSINESS STAFF Nanaaba Eshun - ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Elizabeth Battiste- BUSINESS MANAGER Teliece Hughes -CLASSIFIED SALES REP Kim Wright-DISPLAY SALES REP Dr. Lena D. Cobb - FACULTY ADVISOR
Bennett College Student Newspaper
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
March 23, 1995, edition 1
2
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75