I
BLACK INK
T/ie essence of freedom is understanding
Volume 12, Number 8
BLACK STl'OF.NT MOVKMENT OF FK IAI. NEWSPAPER University of North Carolina, ( hapel Hill.
January 7,1980
King stresses voting rights, awareness of issues
THERESA ANN WILUAMS
Co-Editor
Human Rights: Challenge of the Future was the topic of a lecture given by
Coretta Scott King in Memorial Hall on December 5.
Mrs. King, widow of Martin Luther King Jr., stated that she has been ac
tively involved in the struggle for human rights for more than 30 years.
King quoted the human rights granted in the constitution. She stated that
it has been two centuries since these rights were granted but that they are
far from reality today.
In what appeared to be a Carter for President campaign speech, she com
mended his work in the area of foreign policy, civil rights and the hiring of
minorities. ,,
She cited that there is progress, ‘‘real and genuine” in the area of foreign
policy. She said that for the last three decades our human rights have been
violated in the name of national security. “It is our task to see that it doesn t
happen again.”
Mrs. King stated that she wholeheartedly supported Carter for reelection.
‘‘We have the most open White House ever,” she stated. ‘‘It is not in our best
interest to change presidents at this time.”
She read a passage from Martin Luther King’s P'ebruary 4, 1968 speech.
The Drum Major’s instinct. In response to a question from the audience.
King stated that Carter’s actions exhibited the traits of the servant which
her husband spoke of in his speech. ‘‘He could not have been elected had he
not familiarized himself with King’s struggle. He defied the traditional
means of running for election. He ran without the support of the Democratic
party.”
She continued, ‘‘he communicated a sincerity and concern for the poor.
I’m gonna vote for him. I did when he ran for governor of Georgia.”
In reaction to a statement she had heard that we as students are not com
mitted to ideals. King challenged the audience, which was mostly students
to not let the statement be true.
"I believe that there is a reservoir of talent in the students today, she
stated. ‘‘The future will be determined by the quality of your involvement
and committment.” She challenged us to decide how we’ll use our talents.
Kmg urged the audience to take advantage of their rights by voting. She
emphasized that voting once was a privilege and not a right. She commented
that her husband did more for voter registration than any of his other ac
tivities. ^ J U IJ
She stated that sudents must become aware of current issues, and shorn
voice their opinions to their elected officials.
She stresses. ‘‘You have no right to complain about the problems of socie
ty if you don’t exercise your right to vote.”
Coretta Scott King strongly supports the Carter Administration.
(Photo by Deweese Gilyard).
In response to a question regarding Carter’s “silence” on the Wilmington
10 and other political prisoners, King replied that this is an area where we
need more help from the people.
“We cannot just leave it to a president or a Congress. We must make it im
possible for them not to act.”
When asked how she would react as president to the Iranian conflict, she
stated, “I do not have the magic answer. Carter has reacted admirably. He
analyzed the situation and was cautious before he made a statement.”
King is president of the Martin Luther King Center for Social Change. She
described it as an active organization committed to nonviolent change.
She is author of the bestseller, “My Life with Martin Luther King Jr,”
which has been translated into 16 languages. She has received dozens of
honorary degrees and other awards.”
King’s speech can best be summarized by a quote she recited by Horace
Mann, “be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for human
rights.
Students rally in support of Sonja Stone
BEVERLY SHEPARD
Special Projects Editor
At 1:30 on Friday, November 30, ap
proximately 200 Black students lined
the steps of South Building holding
signs and bulletins that endorsed
tenure for Dr. Sonja Stone, retention
of Black faculty, and a diligent
recruitment of Black students to
UNC.
The central impetus of the protest
was, however, the denial of tenure
last spring for Dr. Stone, a professor
and former co-director of the African
and Afro-American Studies Cur
riculum. The protesting students
were angered by instances such as
this one which illustrated UNC’s lack
of committment to the retention and
recruitment of Black faculty and
students.
Mark Canady. BS.M Minister of In
formation. pointed out Dr. Stone s
credentials and emphasized the
necessity of her presence at the
University. Canady commented. “If
she goes we will lose the only Black
director of the African and Afro-
American Curriculum there is. There
are not enough Dr. Stones up here and
they’re trying to get rid of this one.”
BSM President William Bynum
read a list of grievances that resulted
from the members present at the
November 29 BSM general body
meeting. Bynum read recommenda
tions which included a more intensive
minority recruitment program, a
yearly workshop for school
counselors to emphasize the Universi
ty’s commitment to strengthen
minority presence, special considera
tion for out-of-state Black applicants,
an assessment of the validity of SAT
scores, a senior Black faculty
member to t)e appointed to the
Chancellor’s administrative staff, the
recruitment of more Black faculty
members, and the guarantee of the
sustenance of the Afro-American
Studies Curriculum.
Bynum also commented on the
creation of an office of minority and
disadvantaged affairs for the purpose
of promoting “the continued presence
of minorities on this campus.”
At 2:30, the group marched to
Morehead Planetarium chanting,
“We’re fired up. We won’t take no
more!”
On the steps of the Planetarhim,
N.C. Black Student Coalition
representative Stella Jones stated,
“We are up here to learn so that we
can go back into communities and
make the Black community of
America stronger.”
J.B. Kelly, Student Body President,
made a statement supporting the
l^ng Report. Wakesa Madsimoyo
later introduced two elderly ladies.
friends and supporters of Dr. Stone
and the protest, who contributed in
spiring speeches and a prayer.
Around 3:00 p.m., the students
entered the building to go upstairs to
the faculty lounge in order to be closer
to the room where the UNC Board of
Trustees were to hear Dr. Stone pre
sent her appeal for tenure. On the
staircase, Morehead Planetarium
Director Anthony Jenzano attempted
to stop the students on the grounds
that they were “inciting a riot,” but
the group just calmly pushed on past
him.
They remained in the lounge along
the stairs for approximately 2*^
hours, continuing to hold up the signs
and singing, “Lift Every Voice and
Sing” and “We Shall Overcome.”
Confrontations with Jenzano con
tinued even after Dr. Stone appeared,
but due to the determination of the
students, they could not be moved.