Newspapers / Saint Augustine’s University Student … / Jan. 1, 1988, edition 1 / Page 2
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Page 2„.The Pen...January/February, 1988 BdHorh! From the editor s desk The mkfoitime of a senior By Bertie Ray, III “Are you having a problem? Did so meone put a root on you? Ray, take that off your head! Are you pledging? What club are you trying to get into? Ray, why are you acting silly? You know that black stuff on your head makes you look stupid.” All day long I received funny looks, fake smiles, wimp handshakes, no dinner guests in the cafe. Ultimately, I was made to feel humiliated because many were ignorant that the black soot on my forehead was a symbol of the 40 days and 40 nights that Christ spent being tempted by Satan which marked the beginning of Lent, the period leading up to Easter. Now who should be made to feel undereducated, uncultured, uncouth, unexposed - ignorant. Certainly not those braves who had the courage to swallow their “not knowing” and ask the big question - what is that black stuff on your forehead? For those who asked, I explained to them in vivid and concise details. Now they know. They may not appreciate it, but they have been exposed to something new so that when Ash Wednesday comes around next year, they will know and be able to tell their friends who simply point and look. Who’s better off? Those who do not know anything about Christianity except for presents at Christmas and new clothes at Easter or those who suffer the humiliation of being pointed at, avoided, and laughed at for a couple of hours. Most assuredly, those who handle the humiliation with grace and a forebearing sense of forgiveness are better off. Or maybe not. Someone once said that “ignorance is bliss.” I analyze this to mean that those who do not know the power and strength of their minds and capabilities are better off, simply because they will never know what they are missing, nor how to find the answer to life’s most challenging questions. In this way, the unintelligent are better off than the persons after in tellectual pursuits. My question now is, “which is most dangerous - knowing or not knowing?” Some will say it depends on what it is one knows. Others will say it is who one knows. Yet the brighter ones will say it is what and how much about what one knows. For instance, do you know Black history? If so, is it the kind that has been watered down and neglected and rewrit ten by other ethnic groups? Or is it the kind learned from older Blacks such as a grandparent or an elderly neighbor? Is it the kind taught by some fanatic activists or the kind preached from a humble Bap tist pulpit? It does not matter too much what kind it is, so long as it is being learn ed - by you. Do not be afraid to learn Black history. It can and will assist in making you a bet ter person. Do not just stand back and point and laugh, like you did on Ash Wednesday; ask questions and challenge the answers. Strive to become a better, more intellectually astute individual. By Mvemba Makumbu After flunking my first auditing test, I woke up the next morning with a horrible thought: I am about to graduate from St. Augustine’s College with no connections. Who’ll write my five letters of recom mendation for graduate school with a 2.00 grade point average? I believe I have wasted four years of my precious life attending college. No doubt I brought it upon myself by com mitting one social faux pas after another since my freshman year at this fine in stitution. With all those negative articles printed lately in the local newspaper about black students, I now realize that I blew my chance for a spot in this land of oppor tunities when it was offered to me on a silver platter. My misgiving came in during my sophomore year, when a fellow classmate taught me you don’t have to go to classes every day. Homework usually doesn’t count here at St. Aug. You just need to show up for the final. If you flunk it, you can always talk your way out of it during your senior year. But, what are we going to do? There is always something going on around the campus, he replied. There is dancing every weekend in the Emery gym, fraternity step show or sorority parties at Fevers, even during the final exam week. Why not attend all those events in stead of classes? Dear Editor: The president of the United States and his administration, as well as numerous senators and congressmen, continually spouse so-called democracy throughout the world, but somehow South Africa and Israel are never included in these discus sions, Have you ever wondered why? Israel is the watchdog for American in terests in the Middle East and we support them to the tune of $3 billion in U.S. aid South Africa on the other hand is one of the richest countries on the planet Earth with vast resources, many of which are vital to the U.S. in its attempts to develop the most powerful and potentially destructive arsenal in the world. So, it is in the best interest of those in control that the people remain ignorant so that they will not only not question America’s oppressive foreign policy but even support it. We are led to believe’that all of our efforts abroad are of a humanitarian nature or an attempt to stop the spread of commimism. In TMlity, what the U.S. foreign policy is mainly concerned with is protecting capitalism, an economic system that thrives on the exploitation of cheap labor and natural resources wherever they are found. And quite too often this is in so- called Third World countries. These are reasons why we attempted to assassinate Castro in Cuba, invaded and took control of the tiny Island of Grenada, and are so hell-bent on remov ing the Sandanistas from power in Nicaragua. These independent countries were and are attempting to be self- sufficient and control their own resources and labor. This attitude is anti- capitalism and is therefore classified as communism. Yes, that is a good idea. In fact, I did spend three years without missing any party sponsored by St. Aug organiza tions. The soirees were enjoyable, and the music was always unsurpassed. More recently, I couldn’t join the two dedicated honor societies on campus, Alpha Chi and Alpha Kappa Mu, because of a i^r grade-point average. I figured that if I get this article printed in the Pen, someone will see what a fine, upstanding, trustworthy alumnus I will be and give me a job with a high starting salary. But I cannot even remember all the words from the Falcon Anthem. Anyway, I have neglected to demonstrate my institutional loyalty in a satisfactory way. I have let down Dr. Robinson, Dr. Wiley Davis, every devoted professor. I could have been a brilliant scholarship student if I hadn’t listened to that guy. I have failed to grasp opportunities of fered by the collie. As a senior I don’t even know the process of graduation. Who will do my senior clearance form, because I do not rememljer my advisor’s name or his office. Maybe the registrar’s office will do it for me. I believe they are too busy for that. Freshmen and sophomores: avoid repeating my fate while your party in vitation is still in the mail. I just forgot to take the Golden Road to Post Gradua tion. result are always ready to bear arms and defend America against this evil threat, without even knowing what communism IS or what they are really defending. I strongly believe in democracy, but I also believe that every person and therefore every country has the right to self determination. The democratic pro cess is a vital part of this process. To espouse democracy throughout the world without mentioning South Africa and Israel is utter hypocrisy. Frank E. Godfrey Dear Editor: The events are over, but the memories “ve on. This was one of the best Homecomings ever. The Student Govern ment Association re'.lly deserves a big hand for a job well done. Alex Dabney really went out on a limb with the first ever Gospel Concert for HomMoming featuring the groups Com- miMioned, Luther Bames and the Red PK • with our own Gospel Lnoir. This was one of the most impor tant decisions to be made, and con- gratulaUons Alex on a job well done - it was a big success! Overall, this was a very exciting weekend for all the Greeks and everybody affiliated with the Saint AugusUne’s College family! Let’s hope ana pray that next year will be just as ex citing as this year - if not better' There will be a chance for aU tlie Greek orgamzations to show their stuff again as we are making plans for our Greek Week comii^ up in April! There will be another basketball tournament - so until then - peace! Timothy Antonio Stroud Staff Box Editor-in-Chief Bertie Ray, III Assistant Editor Julie Moody News Editor Jacynda Williams Managing Editor Thomas Cade Advertising Manager Brenda Young Copy Editor Felita Sybil Evans Feature Editor Regina Dingle Entertainment Editor Richard Johnson Columnist Deborah Holt Photo Editor Ricardo Hall General Reporters Ocie Williams, Phyllis Hairston Anah Wilson, Tracy Pringle Lisa Harris, Sharon Ruffin Sherene Stevens, Lewis Hiett, Craig Parker, Ernest Hiett Typists Regina Earp, Phenita Martin Cartoonist Leonard Page Artist Reginald Joyner Poet Eugenia Precious Smith Advisor *)r. Helen Othow Coordinator Ms. Regina Ford The Pen Newspaper is published once a month by the students of Saint Augustine’s College. The Pen welcomes reader comments on campus, local, state, and national-intemationl affairs, as well as comments regarding the newspaper itself. For style and clarity, we ask that you follow these guidelines for letters to the editor and columns; All letters/columns must include your name, address, telephone number, and where you can be reached for verifica tion. All materials should be typed, signed, and double-spaced with no more than 200 words per article. The Pen reserves the right to edit letters and columns. Editorials, adver tisements, and other articles of such do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the college or staff. Send materials to Editor, The Pen, Saint Augustine’s College, Raleigh, N.C. 27611. You may place materials in the Editor’s box located on the third floor of the Boyer Building. Letters to the editor The American people have been condi tioned to hate communism and as a
Saint Augustine’s University Student Newspaper
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Jan. 1, 1988, edition 1
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