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Ink Editorials
September 17, 1985
Here’s to the new school year
It began in the turbulent sixties as a radical newspaper used to voice the
views of Blacks in the University community. Today, it serves as one of the
University’s alternative publications.
The Black Ink^ focus may have changed through the years but it’s pur
pose remains the same. The names and faces may have changed but many of
the same issues still plague us year after year. Black enrollment, discrimina
tion, the lack of fundjng for the Black Student Movement, the small number of
Black faculty of UNC-CH are a few of the issues. As the official paper of the
Black Student Movement, we stand behing sll efforts to confront issues that af
fects Black students.
The members of the Black Ink staff feel that it is our duty to keep you in
formed. At the same time, we encourage you to voice your opinions through
editorials or letters-to-the editor.
On behalf of the Black Ink staff, I would like to welcome the class of 1989.
I would also like to offer a few words of wisdom. In order for you to make your
next four years an academic success, you must set your priorities in perspec
tive with your goals. No one said it will be easy.
There are only 303 members in this year’s Black freshman class making it
the smallest since the 1978 class of 297. The Black population is declining
every year. In order to ensure our survival at UNC-CH, please take advantage
of the resources here to aid you. The Reading Program, tutorials and the Of
fice of Student Counseling are a few of the resources available to you.
For a well-rounded education, the Black Student Movement offers several
sub-groups where your talents are needed. For those who express themselves
well through drama, there is the Ebony Readers; for dancers, the Opeyo
Dancers; for singers, the Gospel choir; for the political-minded student, the
BSM general body or committees; and finally for the writer, the Black Ink.
This year Sibby Anderson is president of the BSM. She and the rest of the
BSM officers, Tonya Smith, vice president; Janet Roach, secretary and Craige
Goodson, will work hard on concerns and issues of the Black student here at
UNC-CH. They need your help in making this a productive year.
Although the Black population is small, our cultural presence is rich and
strong. The Black Ink intends to live up to our motto-If Blackness can be con
verted into words and pictures, we intend to do it.
VIEWPOINT
My first week as at UNC-CH has proved to be most eventful. I am a Black
freshman living in Cobb dormitory. Upon entering Cobb, I was surprised to see that
only a handful of Blacks reside there. I felt all alone on my first few nights there. I
cried like a baby. I missed my mother and home. I still remember my mother’s voice
saying, “You’re going to miss my cooking.” After eating in Lenoir, she’s right.
My homesickness was soon forgotten because of the tiring schedule of meetings.
To my confusion, I was given a Pre-O.C., O.C., R.A., A.D., M.A., and faculty ad
visor to advise me of the do’s and don’ts and odds and ends of UNC.
One of the most inspiring meetings I attended was with Dean Hayden Renwick,
Dean of Student Affairs. His message was of concern and care for the academic sur
vival and well-being of the Black students. When I left that meeting, I was ready to go
to work. I got out my books and started studying right away.
Preparing for classes was not an easy task. My schedule was messed up even
though I had pre-registered. Drop/add was a zoo. I had never been through anything
like that before in my life. After all the confusion of bumping into people for hours, 1
still did not get the classes I wanted.
My map became a vital part of my freshman experience. As I made my viay to
classes in the first week, it never left my sight. While in class, I sit quietly never saying
a word for fear of saying something dumb and being laughed at. I learned that from my
first day. How was I supposed to know what a blue book was; I’m just a freshman.
I know I still have a lot to learn about this University. At any rate, I am iookmg
forward to a wonderful four years here at UNC-CH.
Oik
Laurie Denise Willis
Editor
Marjorie Roach
Assistant Editor
Kenneth Harris
Special Projects Editor
Sharyn McCombs
Business manager
Ralph Ward
Photography Editor
Joy Thompson
Managing Editor
Angela Ross
News Editor
Barry Carson
Advertising Manager
From the Editor:
As editor of the Black Ink, it is my every intention to make this newspaper
one which objectively reports all newsworthy events, people, places, etc.
especially those pertinent to minorities.
The Black ink is not a daily newspaper, but is instead a bi-weekly. Therefore,
the time element will be a major factor in all issues. Please understand that
issues deemed important will appear in the paper as long as they are not old
news” when we print.
As editor, I reserve the ri^ht to make all final decisions regarding what is
printed in the newspaper. While I do encourage letters to the editor, please note
that all letters will not appear.
This year, I am pleased to say, I have a truly dependable staff working
closely with me. They are.Marjorie Roach, assistant editor; Angela Ross, news
editor; Kenneth Harris, Special projects editor; Barry Carson, advertising
manager; Sharyne McCombs, business manager; Ralph Ward, photography
editor, and a number of staff writers.
M^e all anticipate this year’s Black Ink to be a newspaper students and faculty
will look forward to reading every month.
There are several distribution spots on campus, so look for the paper! And
please, if you would like to be a part of the Black Ink in any way, let us know.
Laurie Denise Willis
Black Ink OFFICE
From the Mailbox
Dear Editor:
I’ve gone to the last three Pre-0 sessions. I’ve gone to the last three
freshman class meetings with Dean Renwick. I’ve heard Vice Chancellor
Wallace say it, I’ve heard Dean Renwick say it. I’ve heard Shavette Satterwhite
and Sherrod Banks and Sibby Anderson and anybody else who gets up in front
of a large group of Black students say it, but I still don’t believe it. “At
Carolina,’’they say, “since the Black population is only ten percent (or less) of
the total campus population we stick together. We have to in order to survive. ”
I want to know who are these people who "stick together.’’True, I have my
good friends who I hang out with, trip with, tell all my secrets to, but that’s to
be expected. They’re my friends. I want to know what’s up with all of these
other Black people on this campus. Now, I don’t expect anyone to fall down
and worship me, and I know most people don’t even know who I am. But why
won’t people speak? A kind word never hurt anyone. Ill be walking down the
hill by Woollen Gym on the way to my 10:00 class in a generally good mood
when somebody ruins my day by not even grunting when I waste my air giving
them a “Hello.” Or better yet, some intelligent people figure that they only
have to speak to me if they see me, so they turn their heads away and look at
the Bell Tower, or their DTH, or even the bricks. Just so they won’t have to say
“Hi.”
I walk by the wall across from the Undergrad and see the Jocks and their women.
I’m lucky if I get five nods and a hello out of all of those people. True, some of them
are busy talking and it would be rude to stop talking to someone important just to
acknowledge my presence, but what about the ones that aren’t in a conversation and
still see me coming? And the worst thing is when a freshman feels that he’s too good to
speak.
People, part of “sticking together” is to be there for each other. If you’re
going to call somebody your “Bro”or “Blood” or “Home Boy,” you’ve got to
know what that means. I still speak to everyone I see. I still try to give an en
couraging word when somebody looks down or a note of pleasure when I hear
of someone doing good. It ain’t necessary to know everyone to do this. My
mama used to say, “Manners are free and love is the only thing you get more of
by giving it all away.” Let’s try a little of that on the yard, okay?
Marvin D. Wethington
Morrison
Academic Skills Sessions are held four nights per week, Monday through
Thursday. Each session is staffed by a graduate student supervisor and by
minority advisors who tutor courses frequently taken by freshmen. Sessions
are open to all students on a walk-in basis. All are encouraged to take advan
tage of this service.
Academic Skills
Sessions
Schedule
7-8:30
Monday Ehringhaus, 4th floor Conference Room
^^o"day 107 Hanes Hall
Tuesday Hinton James, 1st floor Library
Wednesday Morrison, 1st floor Library
Wednesday 309 Peabody Hall
Thursday Hinton James, 1 st floor Coffee House