%
The essence of freedom is understanding
Black Student Movement Official Newspaper
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Vol. XIII, No.2
September 27, 1984
□ Voter Registration
\3Blacks Taking Action In
Politics
nOdetta Review
preaching in UNC's Memorial Hall
JESSIE
JACKSON
ODETTA
a glorious voice in folk music
by Rhonda Hubbard
Managing Editor
“Magnificient black woman--an incredible voice, and very dignified,
very graceful--very gracious.” To hear these words, one would think that the
glamorous Odetta was being described. But here, Odetta is doing the describ
ing. She speaks of her "role model," Marion Anderson, who she has constantly
tried to pattern herself after.
But Odetta, is unique within her own right. She sings with the accompani
ment of her 'baby,'--her guitar, and at the end of her guitar sits a burning stick
of incense. To add to her individuality is Odetta's voice. Her range sweeps
from the high soprano notes to the lowest of bass/tenor. This makes her - Odet
ta, stand out among a crowd of other folk singers.
Wearing clothes of African print, a large jade ring on her left hand, and a
small jewel on her forehead, Odetta recalls what it was like being a black per
former during the 50's and 60's when she appeared as a folk musician.
“As a member of a race that was down trodden, it wasn't a terribly easy
thing (being a black performer). If that attitude hadn t been there, I probably
would have been further along," says Odetta. She continues to say that
although there are prejudices, it is possible to "cross-over" in this time period
if you have a popular song in the black community, they would play it for white
audiences.
"Basically it hasn't improved that much. If I were a white woman I d be
further,-much further, as far as popularity and being invited on the televi-
by Kevin Washington
Assistant Editor
"Do not be discouraged by the
hoof beat psychology of Reaganism,
former Democratic presidential
nominee, Jesse Jackson, said in
reference to polls showing Ronald
Reagan in the lead in the presidential
race. "The polls are not open, nobody
is winning; the score is zero to zero."
Jackson, who has hit the cam
paign trail for the Democratic Party
ticket of Walter Mondale and
Geraldine Ferraro, brought his fiery
oratory to UNC-CH's Memorial Hall
Sept. 19.
His message, a call for students to
vote and a condemnation of the
Reagan administration, was given for
a voter registration drive sponsored by
several campus organizations.
He said, "We need a new direc
tion. We must build an aggressive
political movement in this nation for
peace, justice and freedom."
"This is a critical period in the
history of our state and our nation; you
as a body of students have the balance
of power in your hands ... you can
wreck the course of this nation,"
Jackson said.
He compared the students'
abilities to change the course of the
country to changes in religion Jesus
had inspired and changes in human
rights in this country participants in
the civil rights movement had made.
Jackson said, "A handful of peo
ple with their minds made up can take
it all."
To illustrate the point, he pointed
out, "In 1960, Kennedy beat Nixon by
112,000 votes — less than one vote per
precinct ... Carter beat Ford by one
million seven ... In the case of Carter-
Ford, 8,000 votes in the other direc
tion, and [Carter] would have lost the
electoral college."
"I challenge you to stand together
on the great agenda of our day,
economic justice ... your generation
must make the judgement to turn to
each other, not on each other," he
said. "Your generation will make the
choice between peace and war, jobs
and jail."
He announced that the Rainbow
Coalition, his progressive political
organization, will continue to grow
and encourage Americans to make
room for everybody. "It is our mission
to carry that message everywhere."
He said Reagan's refusal to make
room for all made it imperative for the
president to be defeated in the coming
election.
"Reagan has been unkind to poor
(continued on page 8)