Subtle Racism
proach by the University, not even
considering the present lack of
fairness and concern for ALL stu
dents, is not positive for its image.
The racial incidents that have
occurred this school year are fos
tered by such attitudes and these
incidents will only continue to
occur, probably in greater num
bers and to greater extents, until a
change of policy is made. An ac
tive effort to address concerns of
diversity on this campus would be
an opportunity for UNC to set an
example for other universities and
be recognized for that. Instead,
newspapers across the state and
even outside of the state publicize
the pathetic condition of race rela
tions on this campus, possibly
causing some to reconsider apply
ing to UNC. If the University
worries about offending white
alumni or prospective white stu
dents who do not see the points in
afHrmative action policies and the
development of a multicultural
educational curriculum, then it
should not Until whites are chal
lenged to accept progress toward
working away from what their
ancestors created and what they
allow to continue, then these whites
will simply choose not to accept
such “revolutionary” ideas.
When the eyes of administra
tors are opened, and they address
what desperately needs to be ad
dressed, they will receive credit
for any positive change they fi
nally allowed to occur.
Whites behind The F. W.
Woolworth Company do not take
credit for the Greensboro Sit-Ins
exactly, but when the 30lh anni
versary of that historical event was
celebrated a year ago, representa
tives of the store that once refused
service to African-Americans were
among those sponsoring the event,
as if they had not been inspired by
Franklin McCain, Ezell Blair, Jr.,
David Richmond and Joseph
McNeil, the four N. C. A & T State
students who staged the initial Sit-
Ins. (When Richmond died this
winter, despite his contribution to
Greensboro’s history, the News&
Record did not give firont page
coverage- coverage that was given
to the death of actress Frances
Bavier who portrayed Aunt Bea
on “The Andy Griffith Show.”)
At any rale, regardless of
whether race is a factor in issues,
politicians (not limited to those in
public office) will always take
credit for positive events that oc
cur while they are in charge—
regardless of whether they had any
responsibility fortheevenL By the
time a true commitment to posi
tive change is made and certain
issues are addressed, we probably
will not care too much if the ad
ministration does lake some credit.
We will be content in our thank
fulness that progress has finally
come.
Until then?
Know what is going on. Igno
rance of attitudes and events can
be dangerous. Those who think
conditions on this campus and in
this nation are acceptable now
probably stay inside all the time
and have not opened up a newspa
per nor a current events magazine
in a long time or simply have just
ignored the “ugly” stories. Even in
a media source dominated by white
perspectives, much is reported
about negative racial issues. Wait
ing to become fiilly aware of what’s
going on around you until you are
a parent concerned about your
child’s future is not acceptable.
Read letters to the editor and
opinion columns. Ignoring what
concerns others and what they
think about issues will not make
those concerns and attitudes go
away. Respond with your own
letters to the editor. Everyone has
knowledge and ideas that can be
used to enlighten others. And even
if you don’t change racist attitudes
in one pCTSon, you may have the
power to affectanotherperson who
has neutral views about racial
concerns. Avoid personal attacks.
No matter how angry or hurt you
are by what someone else thinks,
make sure it is what they said that
you attack. Let others be offensive
in their presentation of ideas, do
not lower yourself to “ugly” ap
proaches.
Discover your strengths and use
them to combat the attitudes that
may have negative effects upon
your life ahead. Knowing the
“enemy” and avoiding ignorance
is a start, as I indicated above. I
personallyam inclined to the poww
of written communication. You
may be stronger in inspiring oth
ers through powerful, emotional
speeches. Whatever you do, don’t
be guilty of ignoring what is out
there. If you do, it is likely that you
will suffer and not overcome.
Gospel
tion to his Savoy salary, he moved
to Los Angeles to become the
pastor of the New Greater Harvest
Baptist Church in l%3 where he
remained for seven years. By 1968,
he was one of the highest-paid
singers in gospel music earning a
salary in the six figure range.
Everything he sang or wrote
seemed to sell well.
In addition to performing his
own music, James Cleveland de
veloped the Gospel Music Work
shop of America. The workshops
were designed to instruct aspiring
singers and musicians on the finer
points of gospel music. The work
shops were supposed lo deal with
solo singers, choirs and choruses,
but eventually it became a place
for black gospel singers to show
case their talents. When the first
workshop was held in 1968,3,000
people attended it. Other work
shops have attracted 15,000-
25,000 singers from the U.S. and
abroad over the years. The Gospel
Music Workshop now has over 20
chapters with about 20,000 per
manent members nationwide. And
each year for the past 22 years,
black people have gotten together
10 sing and receive instniction from
one of the greatest gospel singers
of all time.
James Cleveland always
stressed the importance of moti
vating young black kids to achieve
their goals. He believed that more
black youth should become in
volved in singing and composing
gospel music.
“The kids that are coming up
with gospel, don’t know the pio-
neCTS. Many of the pioneers are
still living so we try to acquaint
people with the living and those
that have passed on.”
He continued his commitment
to helping blacks make it in the
gospel music industry. His gospel
workshops inspired the formation
of many smaller workshops and
choirs. In 1969, he founded the
Southern California Community
Choir to consolidate the music of
African-Americans in that area.
One of the most successful choirs
he started was the Northern Cali
fornia Community Choir, which
reccffded the hit song, “Oh Happy
Day.” The choir eventually be
came the Edwin Hawkins singers.
In 1983, he released an album tilled
"Breath on Me”, which combined
the Southern and Northern com
munity choirs. Almost all of the
choirs were comprised of young
people aspiring to become gospel
recording artists.
In 1970, he founded the Cor
nerstone Institutional Baptist
Church in Los Angeles. The
church’s congregation grew to be
the largest in the city. In 1983, the
congregation moved into a $2
million dollar church that seated
1250 people. He also built himself
a large house, which was featured
in the December 1984 issue of
Ebony. He often said that his
church and home were his greatest
joys.
James Cleveland has always
been a man who took care of his
family. He bought homes for his
two sisters and provided an apart
ment for his father until his death.
He is believed to have accumu
lated millions of dollars but never
admitted it
“I’m not as poor as I used to be,
but I don’t think it’s in very good
taste ... to talk about how much
you’re worth. It can all disappear
overnight you know.”
James Cleveland produced hit
songs for over 40 years in the
gospel music world. Whether as a
solo artist or with a choir, people
listened to his music. He was cred
ited with writing over 4(X) songs
including hits such as “Everything
Will Be All Right” and “The Love
of God.” He release of the album
“I Walk with God” in 1979, helped
secure his place in gospel music.
He also accumulated numerous
awards including four Grammys
and the NAACP Image Award in
1976.
He continued to hold music
workshops and help young black
singers despite his ailing health.
He suffered a heart attack in 1985,
but still managed to sing during
the Harlem Week celebration.
Doctors told him to slow down,
but he paid their advice no atten
tion. Perhaps he felt he had a job to
do. His heart could no longer sur
vive the strain of performing gos
pel music. He died ofa heart attack
at Brotman Medical Center in Los
Angeles on Feb. 9.
“The focal point of my life is
music... I never tire of it An artist
must be in love with what he or she
does.”
Reverend James Cleveland
dedicated his life to spreading
peace and harmony through gos
pel music. His work enriched the
lives of everyone he touched,
whether they knew him person
ally or not James Cleveland guided
the careers of famous black sing
ers such as Aretha Franklin, who
is consido^ the “Queen of Soul”
music. The gospel world owes
many thanks to the man who sang
a special kind of baritone. He had
a gift, which he utilized to the
fullest, and his legacy of singing
gospel will live on in the hearts of
people everywhere. The Rever
end James Cleveland set a stan
dard of excellence in gospel mu
sic, which will inspire future gen
erations of African-American
performers to fulfill their dreams.
The Office for Student Counseling provides free
academic counseling to students on both North
and South Campus. Scholastic Advancement
Sessions (SAS) are held weekly throughout the
end of the semester. Please refer to schedule
for location of sessions.
Scholastic Advancamont Sessions are held three
nights per week and provide academic assistance In
the following areas: natural sciences, math,
English, social sciences and foreign languages.
Office for Student Counseling SAS Spring 1991
Monday 6:30-8:00 p.m.
James Dorm Coffee House Greenlaw Hall 314, 316, 321
Biology, Cliemistry, Biocliemistry Malli, Statistics, Economics
wilt) Thomas Maynor with Sherry Fields
Tuesday 6:30-8:00 p.m.
IMorrison Dorm Library
English, French, Spanish, Poitical
Science, with Anita Brown
Greenlaw Hall 314, 316, 321
Biology, Chemistry, Math
with Adriene King
Wednesday 6:30-8:00 p.m.
James Dorm Coffee House
Math, Statistics, Economics
'with James Lindsay
Greenlaw Hall 314, 316, 321
English, French, Spanish
with Helena Woodard