FEBRUARY 28, 1975
the voice
PAGE 7
THE FSU DANCE GROUP recently gave a performance in the Women’s Gym
and it was a rousing success. Mrs. Lindsay is director of the group. Pictured are
members of the FSU group.
FSU OCTET CHOIR IN NASSAU. BAHAMAS - The Fayetteville State
University vocal Octet Choir recently spent four days in the Bahamas for a concert
tour at the invitation of the Education Administration in the Bahamas. Under the
direction of Dr. Lemuel Berry, members of the octet are (1-r) Gregory Edmond,
Lavetta Gainey, Jackie Haile, Karen Weathers, Audrey Dixon, Toy Townsend,
Jean Bright, Eunice McQueen, Paula Lyles, and Howard Pickett.
(FSU Photo by Dr. Lemuel Berry)
AN INTERVIEW WITH MISS AIDOO
by Yvonne Gibson
Ghana, a small republic west coast of Africa is an exotic country with an indefinite culture.
Ghana has a population of 300 million black Africans. Togo, Ivory Coast and Upper Volta border this
small country. Its coast runs nearly 334 miles along the Gulf of Guinea. Dense forests cover most of
Ghana, and the country has diamonds, gold, manganese, petroleum and iron.
From Ghana, Miss Ama Ata Aidoowas invited to speak at Fayetteville State University. Miss
Aidoo is a professor at the University of Cape Coast, which is affiliated with the University of Ghana.
Miss Aidoo was dressed in a taste of her native dress. Wearing her African wrap and headdress
of pale orange, green, and black. Miss Aidoo approached the stage gracefully. She opened her speech
saying that, “she had only been in the United States since September, and felt quite welcomed here.”
Miss Aidoo feels that she has a deep sense of humanity about herself.
Her home is vast and complex yet still expanding for the future. Miss Aidoo commented, “My
country has been subjected to the most consistent ferocious interpretation of one dynamical
reference both in history and culture.”
There has been, and still is a historical conspiracy against Africa which was stripped of all credit
for what it contributed in the past to the growth and birth of her civilization. The race is one in Africa
as in every part of the world - the race between the forces of progress and democracy on one side,
and forces of imperialism and reaction on the other.
Miss Aidoo feels that the Independence of many African states stimulated the interest among
Afro-Americans. Independent Africa has now become the homeland which was desperately needed.
Miss Aidoo said, “life is three dimensional, part of that which is gone, to become, life that is
passing and becoming.” , ^
“Thirty per cent of the Ghanaians are Christian, thirty per cent Moslem and the rest of the
Africans are of ancestoral beliefs.”
Miss Aidoo was asked if she had been acculturated in any way by American life. Her response
was “I have not lived long enough in the United States to become acculturated.”
Miss Aidoo thinks that Afro-Americans have tried to have some form of African culture in the
United States. The Dashki dress, pierced noses and native type of jewelry. She feels that others have
been aspired by African culture, such as Picasso an Italian painter who declared that he had not been
aspired by African culture. .
African folk tales, poetry and epic poetry interest many Africans today. Wntmg for Africans was
difficult at one time, because Europeans had told them that they had a lifeless culture.
Miss Aidoo said, “Africa has had a consistent but cherry.” Today she feels that America and
Africa are trying to develop a hind. When the question was proposed to her if she believed in
“Woman’s Liberation”, Miss Aidoo replied, “We have fought long enough for human rights, I cannot
fight for Woman’s Lib, but I will support Woman’s Lib outwardly.”
Miss Aidoo came to Fayetteville reflecting the extreme nature and culture. “Harambi” meaning
“together” in African is definitely the word to describe Miss Aidoo.
FSU GIFT is presented by Fayetteville State University
Chancellor Charles “A” Lyons, Jr. (left) to African scholar and
writer. Miss Ama Ata Aidoo during a recent visit to the campus. A
native of Ghana, Miss Aidoo lectured to the student assembly and
received praise from student body president (right) Tommie
Mitchell.
(FSU Photo by John B. Henderson)
Dizzy Gellispie and group performing recently in the J. W.
Seabrook Auditorium.
(Photo by Henderson)
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