I^OVEMBER_23j^992
COLUMN
RING THE ALARM:
What Black Power Means To Me
By Michelle Thomas
Ink Columnist
The concept of black power is
one that is misunderstood by many.
The term’s origin dates back to the
teachings of W.E.B. DuBois but
was not popularly used until the
Black Power Movement of the late
1960s occurred. Stokely Carmichael
and Charles Hamilton define the
concept extensively in their book
Black Power, which was published
in 1967.
Their concept is one that I, as a
student leader in the struggle for a
free-standing black cultural center,
embrace. The student movement
that has taken place on the campus
of the University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill has run in accordance
with Carmichael and Hamilton’s
philosophy.
The key to black power is a
knowledge and redefinition of self.
Carmichael and Hamilton say in
their book that, “We shall have to
struggle for the right to create our
own terms through which to define
ourselves and our relationship to
the society and to have these terms
recognized.”
Oiu" concept of the Black Cul
tural Center is a place where the
entire community may come and
learn about black heritage and cul
ture on our own terms. We want a
center that meets the needs of the
students and the overlooked black
community.
Many are not aware of the con
tributions made by such distin
guished alumni as JuUus Chamber
(‘62) who was director of the
N AACP Legal Defense and Educa
tion Fund and is now incoming
Chancellor at North Carolina Cen
tral University. Henry Frye (‘59)
was the first black Associate Justice
of the North Carolina Supreme
Court. Carl Fox (‘75) was the first
black District Attorney in North
Carolina’s history.
These are just a small number of
distinguished black alumni who go
unheralded by the University.
We seek a place on this campus
that would recognize the conuibu-
tions of people such as these and
others whose work go unnoticed—
namely, the UNC housekeejxjrs.
Our vision is to have a home on
this campus for the black commu
nity where the entire University and
surrounding community may come
and fellowship and share in the ex
periences of our culture.
Black Power, in the words of
Carmichael and Hamilton, “is a cal 1
for black people...to unite, to rec
ognize their heritage, to build a sense
of community.” It is a call for black
people to begin to define their own
goals, to lead their own organiza
tions and to support their own orga
nizations.
Many people have mistaken this
concept with a call for a return to
segregation.
This is not the case.
We believe in an integrated so
ciety where every part comes to
gether on their own terms and with
an equal voice. In order for this to
take place, each party must have a
firm knowledge of self. Therefore,
integration requires equality and un
derstanding, not assimilation.
Pluralism without hierarchy is
part of the mission of the Black
Cultural Center. This means that in
this pluralistic society, all parties
are equal and must come together
understanding, sharing and appre
ciating their diversity. This can only
take place if each party has a knowl
edge of self.
We see the Black Cultural Cen
ter as a place where students may
come and learn about the culture
and heritage of people of African
descent This knowledge would lead
to an appreciation and understand
ing of black people. This is where
When you
hear temi comes to
, ,
meaningful dialogue begins be
tween blacks and non-blacks.
Black Power, then, is not racist
nor is it separatist nor is the Sonja
Haynes Slone Black Cultural Cen
ter.
Black Power is about unity, com
munity and empowerment within
the black community. It is also about
respect and understanding Irom the
non-black community in dealing
with issues of diversity and matters
that affect the entire community.
We see the free-standing Sonja
Haynes Stone Black Cultural Cen
ter as a centcr for unity, community,
the appreciation of diversity and a
source of knowledge and informa
tion about the conu-ibutions that
peopleof African descent have made
to this university and society.
Michelle Thomas is president of the
Black Student Movement.
your mind?
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