BlacOnkl
March 7,1990
Page 10
Students Speak on Racism and the American Dream
By Chandra McLean
Staff Writer
It was a normal Wednesday morning for Marchell Adams
who went through her routine of attending her 11:00 a. m. Pol i 41 class.
Yet on this particular morning, Poli 41 took a slightly different turn
from the normal routine. Adams entered the room where her Poli 41
class was assembling and situated herself at her desk. She didn’t have
any idea of the heated topics that would soon need her intense brain
power and massive foreknowledge to be extinguished.
As the class came into session, a discussion in reference to
the Birmingham, Alabama superintendent who was not allowed
reinstatement began.(A black school superintendent in Alabama was
denied reinstatement on what many people considered racist terms
after his faithful service for 25 years to the public school system.)
In regard to this news topic, a white male student was
quoted as saying , “Racism is not alive as much today. When
something negative happens, they [blacks] always use racism a scape
goat when something doesn't happen in their favor.”
Another while student in strong agreement added, "Racism
is used by blacks as a crutch or as an easy way out.”
Yet another student said that the racism issue has gotten so out of hand
that even high schools have to allow two homecoming queens to win,
one black and one white.
Unable to restrain herselfany longer, Marchell Adams spoke
out. “My school was predominantly white, and consisted of 2100
students,” Adams said.”I was the first black homecoming queen ever.
They didn’t have a black-white-winner system at my school. To win,
I had to have just as many or more white votes as black votes." she said.
Regardless of Adams’ input, the debate raged onward. A
teacher’s assistant was quoted as saying that blacks put themselves at
a disadvantage when they attend traditionally black colleges because
'hey aren’t exposed to other cultures. With great opposition to this
remark, Adams retorted that that simply was not true because there are
just as many black faculty members as there are white ones at black
colleges, not mentioning the fact that blacks at these schools arc also
exposcJ to the cultures of oth :r ic.iching members.
This classroom is only a small scenario compared to the
overall picture of racism in today’s society. What many whites fail to
realize is that racism is very much alive in America. Stereotypes about
racism have overloaded the minds of whites, and as a result, has
blurred their vision when it comes to seeing racism for what it really
is.
Gerard Morrison, a student at North Carolina A&T and vice-
president of the sophomore class, was asked if he believed in the
stereotype of racism historically applying to the South rather than the
North. Morrison replied, “No, I don’t believe this at all. Having had the
opportunity to live in both enviornments, I completely agree with
Malcom X’s quote, ‘The South is everything south of Canada.’”
Regardless of anyone’s personal opinion, racism can be
compared to a growing fungus that finds a dark, secretive place to
cultivate until its emergence can no longer be stifled. Racism has taken
this same form at UNC. Black students must learn to combat racism in
its many forms. These forms consist of rejection, being overlooked in
predominantly white classrooms, having to work twice as hard as a
white student in order to be noticed, having to deal with demotion
instead of premotion, and (the all-time favorite) having to deal with
racial slurs strip away every positive aspect that is a part of African-
American culture. Malcom X was not wrong in his statement of the
facts that whites have always tried to make blacks hate the texture of
our skin, our enlarged noses, our dark skin, and our complete
existence. I f that is not demeaning, I wou Id 1 ike for someone to explain
to me what is.
Janene Shubrick, a freshman criminal justice major from
Jacksonville, is a prime example of the deprivation stemming from the
prejudice on our campus. "1 was trying to find my North Campus dorm
on the first day of school. My parents pulled over and asked a white
female biker for directions. First, she acted as if she didn’t want to
answer, and then she asked my parents if they were sure they were at
the right school. When my parents questioned her about this com
ment, the biker asked if my parents were trying to find N.C. A&T! I felt
loo shocked to really feel anything,” she said. “ But after analyzing the
situation, 1 felt raped, as if something was taken awav from me. !t was
like when you achieve a goal and someone says something petty and
small, and it [the goal] doesn’t feel as big as it really is.”
Yet not all white students agree with those who were
present on that turbulent Wednesday morning in Poli 41. Two white
students commented on the subject in class, Kimberiy Efford, a
sophomore dental hygienist major from Charlotte, commented, “I
believe that racism is al ive on every college campus simply because it’s
everywhere. It is wrong for someone to say that it doesn’t exist.”
Cynthia Yates, a sophomore fromjefferson, added, "Racism exists in
a subtle form on our campus. I have never actual ly seen anybody have
to deal with it, but 1 know it’s here.
Often black students that attend predominantly white uni
versities are asked why the won’t simply attend a black university and
not deal with these problems. Unfortunately, many black students feel
that transferring to an all black school or counterattacking with
violence is the answer to the problem of prejudice that is so wide
spread on college campuses. What these students fail to realize is that
the way to combat this one-sided problem system is not through
evacuation or violence, but through
brain power and determination. Until blacks become fully competi
tive in the classroom and give 200% to every 100% given by whites, the
barriers of bigotry on our campus will not even begin to subdue itself.
Marchell Adams is an example of one who has broken these barriers.
Being crowned homecoming queen from a
predominantly white high school proves that success is very possible
for blacks if we strive hard enough for it.
I have grown tired of my black voice going unheard and
unnoticed in this oblivious, white society. This inattentiveness is not
an unaviodable illness, for it can be cured as soon as more white
students begin to open their eyes to what is going on around them.
Also, it is not just the students who need to change their ways, but there
are many faculty members who can be held accountable for not being
open minded. Therefore, until we are heard and treated the same as
“other” students, we should all strive harder and give our all to every
aspect of what we do. Through these endeavors, we are all capable of
achieving the American dream
BSM Plans Annual
Discovery Program
By Erika F. Campbell
Layout Editor
The Black Student Movement will hold its week long Discovery
program March 26 through March 30. The Special Projects Committee
of the BSM has planned a week filled with discussions, forums and
speakers.
James Tanner, co-chairman of the Special Projects Com-
mitte, said that although Discovery is traditionally held in February,
Black Hidtory Month, the committe decided not to have Discovery in
February on purpose. “We feel that Black History isn’t something that
should just be done in one month. We should celebrate Black History
all year long” said Tanner.
Discovery program plans to include several forums and
discussion on a myriad of topics dealing with the African-American
experience. Of topics planned there are discussions dealing with the
media’s portrayal of Blacks and African-American repirations. Al
though all of the facillitators and speakers have not been confirmed,
the committe is attempting to get a wide range of people to participate
in this program. Possibilities include faculty members such as Miriam
Thomas, WTVD newscasteer, John Hope Franklin, Historian and
Duke professor, and Lerone Bennett, the editor of Ebony magazine.
Although Tanner is optimistic about the plans being made
for dicovery, he is aprehensive about the participation. “It is going to
be a very exciting event...but it will be even more exciting if the
partipation is high.” said Tanner
Most of the programs will be held in the Union. For more
information stop by the Black Student Movement, Suite A-,oJ-,the,
Union.
IL
1 f jS’ w 0-
j|y
March 26
Religious Misconceptions
Surrounding African-
American Heritage
March 27
Reparations for African-
Americans
March 28
The Media's Portrayal of
African-American
March 29
Blacks on White Campuses
March 30
Lerone Bennett or
Mable Thomas