Will Wilder's Speech
Set A Trend?
Or Will It Simply Set A Precedent?
Douglas Wilder, governor of Virginia, is quite accus
tomed to breaking new ground. He excited the African
American community by becoming the first Black gov
ernor to be elected to the position. And in May he will
please many African Americans within the UNC com
munity by becoming the first African American to speak
at a UNC commencement ceremony.
It is thrilling to know that a man of such great magni
tude will honor the graduating class of 1992 and our
university with his presence. The 1992 Senior Class
Marshalls and their leaders, Pete Holthausen and Chris
Brown, are to be commended. Not only did they work
hard at finding an incredible speaker for their com
mencement, but they also kept their promise to diversify
senior class activities.
And although we are pleased, excited and anxiously
awaiting graduation, there is a dark cloud that overcast
this event. The fact that no other class nor the administra
tion has gone out of their way to have a commencement
speaker that is not a white male is disgraceful. We have
never had a woman, a Native American, a Hispanic, an
African American or any other minority speak at this
university. In light of the diversity of students at UNC
and across the state of North Carolina, this is truly a
shame.
We hope that UNC’s Qass of 1992 has set not only
a precedent, but a trend. Yes, there are white men who
arc dynamic speakers and would grace anyone’s com
mencement. But the many dynamic women and people
of color, many of whom are from this very state, must not
be overlooked when we are bestowing the privilege of a
commencement day speaker. To do so is to do a great
disservice not only to these fine people, but also to
ourselves.- Erika F. Campbell and Akinwole N'Gai
Wright
Black Ink
The essence of freedom is understanding;"
Editors-in~Cbi*/
Erika F. Campbell, Akinwole N'Gai Wright
Assistant Editom Debbie Baker, Tim Little
Business Manager: Andre Tippens
Staffijames Benton, Chris Brown, Corey Brown, Lem Butler, Teresa
Jefferson, Sheba Lowe, Roger Madison, Chandra McLean, Charles
McNair, Terrence Garrison, Natalie Godwin, Anthony Peay, Daniel
Peddle, Michelle Thomas, Tonika Tillman
Calendar Coordlnaton Raquel Bushnell
Contrlbutor»K:hris Bracey, Peter Henry, Grant Thompson
Inside Black Ink
Monday, January 28,1991
Cover Story—
“Grief,” “shock” and “shame” — the words appeared over and over again in the
nation’s press after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. African Americans
had lost their most compelling spokesman and white America had lost its most effective
bridge to black America.
-Time Magazine's Coverage of "The Assassination" Pages 6-7
Current Events
On May 12 in Kenan Stadium, Virginia Governor L. Douglas WildCT will speak at the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s commencement, being the first black
person to ever do so.
“Governor Wilder To Be 1991 Commencement Speaker Page 3
—Reflections—
Black people must fight for the enforcement of Affirmative Action to ensure that African
American students receive fair consideration in their attempts to receive admissions to
top-ranked institution of higher learning.
“Affirmative Action in Higher Education Pages 4-5
—People, Arts and Entertainment
“Album Review: Kill at Will and Ralph Tresvant
“Slam-A-Jam '91
“Point After Touchdown Pages 8-9
Commentary
"I am angry at the schools and universities that continue to miseducate students on
American history and the essential role of African Americans in American history. I am
irritated by the parents who perpetuate racism by instilling into their children the same
outdated, ethnocentric, intolerant values they received from their parents."
“The Miseducation of America Page 10
—Endsights—
“More Than a Race of Basketball Players
“Base Scholarships on Need Not Race Page 11
About the Cover
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