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Black Ink
Tuesday, Feb. 11, 1986
What Do
You Tiling?
As we approach the middle of the month, it is necessary
to remember how important February is. Unfortunately, not
■all Americans — not all blacks even—realize Black History
Month’s importance. “Is the importance of Black History
Month realized by blacks, or do most blacks see it as ‘just
another month’?”
Allan Younger, freshman business major from Raleigh.
Through past experience, it hasn’t been emphasized
enough outside of school. Despite the media s and public
school’s efforts to emphasize Black History Month, I don’t
think black people, or people in general realize the impor
tance of knowing their culture.”
Michael Telford, freshman economics major from
Charlotte.
“I would say the blacks I interact with take Black
History Month seriously. This is due to the fact that the black
organizations are top notch. Also, I’ve seen a lot of unity i
amongst the blacks on this campus.”
Carla Powell, sophomore RTVMP major from Lenoir.
“I think they try to recognize and make it special, but
the original meaning of Black History Month has been lost.
This is evidenced in the fact that most blacks today do not
know their heritage.”
Reginald Davis, sophomore education major from
Henderson.
“It is taken for granted to a great degree, especially on ^
this campus. Although the BSM is attempting to promote t
awareness, I believe the majority of black students at UNO
are either unconcerned or uninvolved.”
Sonya Henderson, junior nursing major from Winst«Mi-
Salem.
“I feel that most blacks are aware of it, but I don’t think
they whole-heartedly realize its significance to the black race
in pertaining to our heritage and culture.”
photo by Tammie Foust
Laurie Denise Willis
hk
Editor
Marjorie Roach
Shirley Hunter
Assistant Editor
Managing Editor
Kenneth A. Harris
Denise Moultrie
Special Projects Editor
News Editor
Sharyne McCombs
Barry Carson
Business Manager
Advertising Manager
Tammi Foust
Photography Editor
TAKE SOME TIME FOR CLEAN AIR by
participating in EPA studies at UNC of
common air pollutants. Earn from $62 to $200
for your first study (plus travel and a free
physical). If you are a healthy non-smoker,
aged 18-35, with no hay fever or allergies, call
966-1253 (collect).
The Carolina Union will present
Annette Parker and Yours Truly on
Feb. 13 at 8 p.m. in Great Hall. They
will sing top 40 hits, jazz and love
songs in a romantic, nightclub atmos
phere.
They will perform until 10 p.m. at
this Valentine’s Eve special program.
Beer and wine will be allowed
with proof of age.
Contact Anne Morgan, 929-2545.
Its Coming Tp
Delta Sigma Theta Sweetheart Affair, Feb. 15, 9 pm - 2 am,
Great Hall. $5 single, $8 couple.
Black Student Body General Meeting, Feb. 19, 5:30.
Discovery Weekend, Feb. 22-23.
Alpha Phi Alpha Male/Female Relationship Workshop,
Feb. 25, 7:00, Upendo Lounge.
Anti-Apartheif Meetings every Wed. at 6:00.
Yicwpoint
Marjorie Roach
Assistant Editor
It was first started in 1964 as a corrective measure against decades of
discrimination but today, 22 years later, discrimination has not ceased and
affirmative action is under fire again after slowly cooking on the burner of the
Reagan administration. The Reagan administration has long attacked numerical
goals for women and blacks as unfair. They say counting by race is a form of
racism.
Now in congress, sitting at a standstill, the fate of affirmative action devis
ed to overcome or prevent racial and sexual discriminaiton is uncertain. Its
purpose is sadly distorted by the likes of Attorney General, Edwin Meese.
Meese was quoted in the Sept. 18 issue of the New York Times as comparing sup
porters of racial employment quotas to Americans who once argued “that
slavery was good not only for slaves but for society.” But what Meese fails to
understand is that the system of slavery was an oppressive control meant to
keep blacks in an inferior status in society. After being enslaved for 245 years
then discriminated against for 142 more years, affirmative action aims to make
up for past discrimitory practices. The concept is not just to place blacks in a
company that has never employed a black, but to set up recruiting programs
that seek out minorities or post job vacancy notices so that current employees
can ask to be considered for advanced positions. Warren A. Hemphill, an equal
employment officer who heads the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity
Coalition of Small Agencies said, “Affirmative action includes all programs that
help a qualified work force that is reflective of the nation’s diversity.”
The Civil Right’s Act of 1964 gave birth to affirmative action during Presi
dent Lyndon B. Johnson’s administration. Johnson said in a speech at the Howard
University commencement on June 4,1965, “You do not wipe out scars of centuries
by saying ‘now you’re free to go where you want and do as you desire.” “You do
not take a person who for years has been hobbled by chains and liberate him, br
inging him up to the starting line of a race and then say ‘you’re free to compete,’
and justly believe that you have been completely fair.”
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