14
Bronco* Voice
March 1996
Cheer
from pg. 13
still under a permanent sus
pension banning them from
participating as members of
the cheerleading squad for the
rest of their stay at the univer
sity. The cheerleaders still un
der suspension are Yolanda
Johnson, Linda Barden,
Rhonda Staton, Lisa Whatley,
Princesa Palmer, and Dora
Rogers, the core of Cheer-Phi
and a large part of the histori
cal continuity for the team.
The result of their suspensions
was a freshman cheerleading
squad who struggled to learn
the ropes during the season.
The administration’s case
When contacted. Dr.
McLeod and Mr. Scurry of
fered no comment. Dr. Burns,
FSU’s current Athletic Direc
tor, was out of town. Ms.
Adams stated that the suspen
sions have “...been appealed
twice, through Dr. Benson and
Dr. McLeod, and the matter is
closed.”
However, our investigation
revealed that several factors
influenced the administra
tion’s heavy-handed decision.
Though a strong form of pro
test, by not cheering at a tele
vised event at the CIAA tour
nament, Cheer-Phi seriously
damaged their case. In a word,
their action was considered
“unconscionable.” It was also
determined that some of
Cheer-Phi may have “cussed
out” Ms. Adams (though
Cheer-Phi members say they
merely spoke to her “woman
to woman”). Last, by not
apologizing in any way for
their conduct, it was deter
mined that those affected by
the suspensions refused to take
ownership for their actions.
The Deliberation
A few factors must now be
evaluated. Jerrell Joyner did
not appeal his suspension yet
was allowed back on the var
sity squad. Due to their tenu
ous relationship with Ms.
Adams, when the suspended
members tried to help train the
“new” Cheer-Phi’s, they were
told that their services (and
years of experience and tradi
tion) were not needed.
As team captain, Yolanda
Johnson was supposed to be
recognized and awarded All-
ClAA Cheerleader honors.
Not only were she and the
other suspended members
barred from attending FSU’s
1995 Athletic Awards Ban
quet (a right earned through
their year-long participation in
Cheer-Phi), Ms. Johnson’s
award was given to Jerrell
Joyner (who was still under
suspension yet allowed to at
tend the banquet).
In light of these facts, does
the punishment outweigh the
crime? Has Dr. McLeod con
tradicted his “put the student
first” anthem? Why was the
specific reasoning for the sus
pensions vague, ambiguous
and never fully explained to
those affected by the suspen
sions? Although the entire var
sity squad was suspended,
why were certain members
afforded “special”,treatment?
Should the grievances of
an entire cheerleading squad
be discounted without an open
conference between them
selves, a moderator, and their
accusers? Has the University
ultimately suffered from the
administration’s heavy-
handed verdict?
What is lost in the drama
is that, as with University of
Nebraska running back
Lawrence Phillips, students
have and will make mistakes.
The driving reason and effort
in relieving this dilemma
should lie in trying to find
common ground; of creating
a circumstance that both al
lows one to make, acknowl
edge and grow from mistakes
or errors in judgement. Here,
at FSU, is where one can and
should show compassion be
cause the streets beyond these
hollowed halls are indeed cold
and mean. FSU is ultimately
here for the student, and
whether the cheerleaders that
comprised Cheer-Phi are to
remain suspended or be rein
stated, let the common ground
of reason, compassion, and
forgiveness be their common
denominator.
Muted
from pg. 2
In one of our earliest con
versations, Chancellor
McLeod expressed his desire
to ensure that The Broncos’
Voice has the resources it
needs to be published. His po
sition is significant in that
what we need is staff pay and
the printer necessary to pub
lish The Voice on campus. I
trust that he will follow
through with his assurance.
However, this is a note to
those who might try to limit
his efforts that FSU students
will not settle for less than a
paid staff and a printer to pub
lish The Voice on campus.
This is not a request but a de
mand; not a threat but a fact,
for our thoughts will have ex
pression, our Voice shall
scream triumphant, we will be
empowered, and we will not
stand for or allow our trumpet
to be muted.
SoectaJ ^iui/a/ion
is coming to fay(3tt3Villel
Something wonderful, something powerful is happening in
Fayetteville. For the last 6 weeks African Americans' in
small groups have been gathering to privately pre-view and
size up Sankofa. We ended up being rivited to our seats by it’s
truth, it’s power, it’s beauty. The voices of “Nunu,” “Shango”
and “Shola” still speaJc to me.
After the showing we were eased into a sincere exchange of
feelings and thoughts about our people, our condition
our needs, our power, our future. That discussion further
illuminated the healing power this film holds for our community.
Sankofa passed my test. I can’t shake it. More than that, I don’t
want to shake it! I want all of Fayetteville to enjoy Sankofa on
the big screen and the community-based discussions that will
follow all over town.
I need your help to make this dream comc
true. You are invited to an expanded private
video pre-viewing of Sankofa. March 23rd at
7:00p.m. at the New Monk-Smith building at the
Seahrook Park Complex. 1520 Slater Ave. (off
Langdon After viewing the movie, if you agree
that Fayetteville needs to sec Sankofa, I want you
to become a member of the Sankofa Support
Group.
Your joining at any level you choose will help us
capitalize this project and spread the healing aflFects
some of us have already experienced. Space is lim
ited; so, please let me know if you will accept this
invitation.
Sincerely,
SANKOFA. the popular film by inde
pendent filmmakef Haile Gerlma is
a stofv ol tf)e trcywforrrxjtion of Mona.
G self-possessed African-American
women wtio is sent on a spiritual jour
ney in time to experiertce captivtty
(slavery). We share the life she en
dures and her growing consciousr»ess
and tronsformation.
SANKOFA. an Akon word that means
"one must return to the past in order
to move forward.” is done from and
African/African American perspec-
ttve. It comects black people with our
African past and culture. It empow
ers Black people on the screen by
showir»g our red hot passion for free
dom. our resisting oppression, our Af
rican spirftucWy. our toving each other
even as we were treated as brutes.
SANKOFA is winner of the Agip Grand
Prize at the African Film Festival in
Milan, ttaly. arxJ the Pest Clnematog-
raphy Award of the FESPACO Film
Festival in Burkina Faso. Africa.
SANKOFA has opened to standing
room audiences inWashlngton.D.C..
Baltimore. MD. Chicago. Philadel
phia. New York City. London, and
Accra. Gtvana.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
You Are Not Alone
(NU) • It’s becoming routine to
cover up the bruises, but you know
others suspect their cause. You
think there’s no one you can turn
to who would understand.
The National Crime Prevention
Council has a message for you:
You are not alone. The council
says as many as four million
women in the United States suffer
some kind of violence at the hands
of their husbands or boyfriends
each year, yet few will tell anyone.
Part of the abuser’s power
comes from secrecy, and victims
often are ashamed to talk about
such intimate family problems. Do
mestic violence counselors recom
mend breaking the cycle of abuse
by going to a friend or neighbor,
calling a domestic violence hotline
or talking to a counselor.
If you are hurt, call the police.
Remember that assault, even by
family members, is a crime. Police
often have information about shel
ters and other agencies that help
victims of domestic violence.
Leave, or have someone stay
with you. If you believe that you
and your children are in danger,
leave immediately.
And get medical attention. Ask
the hospital or doctor’s staff to
photograph your injuries and keep
detailed records in case you decide
to take legal action.
For more information, call the
National Resource Center on Do
mestic Violence at 1-800-537-
2238.
This information is provided as
part of the National Citizens’ Crime
Prevention Campaign, which is
substantially funded by the U.S.
Department of Justice.
ARE YOU ABUSED?
Check any that apply 1(7you.
Does the person you love...
□"Track” all of your time?
□Constantly accuse you of
being unfaithful?
□Discourage your relation
ships with family and
friends?
□Prevent you from work
ing or attending school?
□Constantly criticize you
for little things?
□Anger easily when drink
ing or using other drugs?
□Control all finances and
force you to account in
detail what you spend?
□Humiliate you in front of
others?
□Destroy personal proper
ty or sentimental items?
□Hit, punch, slap, kick or
bite you or the children?
□Use or threaten to use a
weapon against you?
□Threaten to hurt you or
the children?
□Force you to have sex
against your will?
If you checked any of
these, it’s time
to get help.
N«ws USA