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Black Ink
October 27,1983
IONS • OPINIONS • OPINIONS • OPINI
US makes statement by
recognizing King holiday
In January 1986 the nation will celebrate the birth of Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr. What some people fail to realize is that
this national holiday is not simply for Martin Luther King Jr. the
man, but whaat he stood for.
Dr. King stood for non-violent change in a society that was
mired in racism and inequality. Dr. King was aware that he
could not change attitudes overnight or even in the immediate
future. Nevertheless he persevered. He formulated a strategy of
non-violent protest during a time when it appeared the only
change came through violent confrontation.
Sen. Jesse Helms tried in vain to block the passage of this bill.
He implied that King was not worthy of such an honor. He based
such claims on the FBI files amassed on King during the Civil
Rights movement. Since the files are to remain locked until
2027, and the two major people involved with the files, King and
Hoover —are dead, such accusations by Helms are merely
heresay.
By ratifying the Matrin Luther King national holiday, the
United States Senate has made a statement to the world that we
are a nation that embraces the idea of equality.
Campus blacks must unify
Unity on this campus is important. It assures that all who represent dif
ferent perspectives can come together to get the job done and to keep the
University running smoothly. Because unity is such an important component
in running the University it must be actively sought by all who participate in
the university community — administrators, students, blacks, and whites.
Unity within the black student community is also important. If we are to
receive equal privileges we must be ready to stand together and voice our
opinions in unison.
In order for us to work together it is imperative that we sit down and work
out our difference — not try to hide or sugar-coat them under the guise of
black unity. We are not contributing to black unity when we fail to take into
consideration how our actions will affect others in the black student com
munity. We are also not promoting black unity when a handful of students
take it upon themselves to dictate what information the students can and
cannot understand.
A word of caution to our student leaders: Don't underestimate the intellect
of your fellow students.The majority of your peers don't need to be spoon-fed
select information under the banner of preserving unity.
Black student unity must be actively sought. Organizations must come
together in compromise and consensus. Only then will we have true black
unity on campus.
BLACK INK
If blackness can be converted into words and pictures,
we intend to do it
Albertina Smith
Managing Editor
Cheryl Williams
Features Editor
Gwendolyn Hailey
Editor in Chief
Charles Covington
Busimess Manager
Willie Little
Advertising Manager
Sonja Payton
News Editor
Lisa Stinson
Circulation Manager
TMTjOl
BSM president speaks
Tf^UHLiTTp'
Current status of BSM
By Sherrod Banks
BSM President
Sherrod Banins, a junior political
science/AFAM major, is president
of the BSM. The following is a
statement on the status of current
BSM administration.
The Black Student Movement has
never seen such contrasting years as
last and this year This BSM is a dif
ferent BSM, enhanced in several
ways. Excitement over this difference
compels me to write my first state of
the BSM article. As president. I'm
obligated to communicate our status
to you, and as members you deserve
that information. Here it is, the way it
is —the BSM yesterday and today.
Last fall the BSM was a frag
mented organization with battle lines
drawn between the Central Commit
tee and the Gospel Choir. However,
this central committee embraces a
harmonious relationship with the
choir We no longer fight each other,
rather we fight together for the pre
servation of our largest cultural sub
group.
Membership was a grave concern
for last year's leadership, with only
about 275 people joining during the
fall, a reduction of approximately
350 members from the previous year.
This fall we already have over 500
members and the membership in
creases weekly.
BSM cultural subgroups are more
dynamic than ever. Our euphonic
choir, over 60 members strong, cut a
live album in April. The Opeyo
Dancers, whose dramatic and power
ful performances earned them the
most outstanding subgroup award,
awaits their annual Fall Invitational
Dance Recital on Nov. 4. Our most
provocative subgroup, the Ebony
Readers are progressing to the per
formance of not only poems, but
plays as well.
What can I say about Black Ink
that it doesn't say about itself? Under
the current leadership of editor
Gwen Hailey the Ink's staff grew
from about 10 people to more than
28, and is still growing. The paper's
circulation, writing, photography,
and aesthetics are better, reflecting
ij;s foundation of organization and
cfedK?a^Toniv
Financially we taste a sweeter slice
of the CCC budgetary pie. Our 1983
appropriation represents a 29% in
crease over the 1982 appropriation.
Although we appreciate this gain, we
realize it's not enough. Our
subgroups and Black Ink enrich
UNC's diversity more than any other
organizational groups. We should be
rewarded and supported for our con
tribution.
This administration seeks to reacti
vate standing committees (i.e.
Special Projects and Freshman Class
Committees) which were very pro
ductive in years past. The Special
Projects Committee is a freelance
committee that coordinates activi
ties, but with an economic mind set.
The Freshman Class Committee, also
a freelance committee, plans fun
class activities like talent shows,
jams, fashion shows, and etc..,,We
believe in total membership involve
ment.
Yesterday's BSM was an isolated
organization not realizing the impor
tance of support groups for a
stronger BSM, Today we not only
realize this, but we actively solicit
the support of our friends like UCF,
who co-sponsored our homecoming
queen nominee, and BGC who co
sponsored our homecoming ball.
These relationships once thrived, yet
they somehow died. We work to
restore them; we need them.
We branch out involving ourselves
with other university organizations
and institutions. BSM co-sponsored
the honorable Shirley Chisolm with
the Association of Women Students,
Our subgroups sponsored a cultural
program for the Minority Career Fair.
BSM On Campus Coordinator and
University Affairs coordinated a suc
cessful Pre-Orientation, And the BSM
along with Student and University Af
fairs assembled a beautiful memorial
service for our departed friends.
We are more cohesive in our
endeavors, more financially secure,
and have better relations with other
campus organizations and institu
tions, Considering all we attempt to
do, there is still more that we want to
do. And there is more that we will do;
1 guarantee it. Today 1 want you to
realize one thing: BSM yesterday and
today, there is a difference, ■
VX ^ V "t i 1 f \ t i 't ^ t*