Page Two
THE BENNETT BANNER
OCTOBER, 1964
THE BENNETT BANNER
Published Monthly by the Students of Bennett College
Greensboro, North Carolina
Ten Cents A Copy
$1.00 Per Subscription
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Frances Campbell
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Gail Hickerson
ADVERTISING Regina Carpenter
Bernardine Harris
CIRCULATION Frances Kelly
Penny Walker
COLUMNISTS Joyce Dunn,
EXCHANGES-
TYPISTS
Andrea Mast, Lillie Madison, Patricia Murray
Edna Smith
REPORTERS
Shirley Smedley, Sonja Hazard,
Business Education Club, Penny Walker,
Margie Cumbo, Tagiilima Muasau, Paula
Lewis.
Nellie Campbell, Shirley Poole,
LaRue Hodges
WHAT ABOUT THIS GENERATION?
Thomas Seton once said concerning education that man
hood not scholarship is the first aim. In a recent address to
the Bennett College Community, Dr. Bollinger implied the
same meaning when he said our educational system has not
achieved its primary goal if it fails to produce mature in
dividuals.
The question then arises of whether our institutions are
carrying out this goal. For it looks as if today this aim is
being lost, indeed, at many times untouched.
Complaints are forever being made concerning students
and their lack of interest. How they waste valuable time
and money by not being serious, by presenting so many
problems to the institutions through breaking moral, edu
cational and all other values which were foremost in the
minds of our ancestors.
The emphasis on learning is great. Yet, there are so
many students who do not take it seriously or so it seems.
Education on a higher level seems to be an achievement not
valued, for it is accessible for all who really want it and to
so many who don’t want it.
There are numerous problems on college campuses, so
many rebellions against rules and regulations. Are these the
traits of mature individuals ?
College administrations and people of the older genera
tion stand by and ask what is wrong with this generation
and blame it for not producing the persons it should pro
duce. They ask, “Why?” Yet, they realize in another breath
that this is the same generation which is setting the world’s
pace; which is breaking through barriers their elders would
not have dared approach.
Why is there this great divergence? You appreciate
them for their steadfastness, their courage, their determina
tion, and yet criticize them because of their immature be
havior and the problems they present. They are like little
children you say, and that may well be. They are children
because they are given no chance to make decisions. The
wise generation considers them unprepard to make choices,
they cannot be trusted in responsible situations. Therefore,
they are called irresponsible. They are emotionally undevel
oped because you have not given them a clear distinction be
tween right and wrong and what makes the difference be
tween the two.
Can the same generation that has seen so much come
to pass be the same generation of individuals who have still
not gained from that? They can and they will if they’re
not given leeway, if they’re not given freedom to exercise
their ability to decide, their ability to be responsible, their
emotional stability.
Scholars yes! This generation has contributed more
than its share, but does society wan’t scholars who rest upon
no mature foundation of their own? Does society want in
dividuals unable to think for themselves?
What do you choose? What will your aim be?
—FRANCES CAMPBELL
GO
WHERE’S UNITY AND CONCERN?
Unity and Concern! These two small words are suppos
ed to symbolize the atmosphere here on our beloved BEN
NETT campus. These two words indicate that both faculty
and students are unified and concerned as to what happens
in our community. These two words are supposed to demon
strate that there is no “friction” among the members of the
college. But, is this exactly true? Let’s stop and examine if
there is unity and concern here at BENNETT COLLEGE.
Notwithstanding the excellent work that those six girls
did this past summer, will all of their efforts bring about
this “Utopia” of unity and concern? As emphasized before,
the ground work has been established. However, some of the
issues discussed seem out of proportion to bring every fac
tion on campus together in a united bond. Many of the
policies have been clarified but can they be enforced? The
attendance report, for example, is one which has aroused a
great deal of emotion. Is emotion going to bring this unity
and concern? Can we be emotional about such things as our
class attendance? Many are of the opinion that we cannot.
But, this report involves every member of the student body.
Therefore, emotions are bound to be raised and there will
not be an effort made to listen to ideas which contain emo
tional outcries. Is this an examply of unity and concern
among all of us?
Let’s turn our attention to the dining hall. Is there
unity and concern there? No! Many girls feel that the girls
who are on “dining hall duty” are slaves and workers. They
have no concern for their feelings. But many fail to realize
that this “dining hall duty” is a part of our “overall educa
tion” here at Bennett. They, too, must participate. There
fore, the girls who constantly cry, “Hey, you. Gimme some
water,” “Hey, you, I don’t like this plate,” “Come here slave,
gimme some more dessert.” No, this situation is getting
worse everyday. Does this indicate a concerned and united
student body?
Again in the dining hall, is it necessary to persist in
cutting line? Does this indicate that all of us are concerned
about the next person? The food is not going to run away,
therefore; why cut? In connection with cutting line, why is
it necessary to pile in front of the dining hall at the six o’
clock meal and run in like “pigs.” There are enough tables to
seat each and every member of the student body. Is this
demonstrating unity and concern?
Now, let’s once again turn our attention to the first
question. Where’s Unity and Concern? Does it exist on our
campus? Apparently, some believe that it does not! It re
mains to be seen whether or not unity and concern exist.
It now rests upon all of us to establish this “so-called” Unity
and Concern. We, all members of this college community,
must strive to attain these qualities. We all must take the
responsibility to see to it that we are conscious of the next
persons feelings, ideas, and opinions. If and when this Utopia
(Unity and Concern) takes place, will we all be hapoy? It
is most definitely up to US! —GAIL HICKERSON
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
A CAMPUS PROBLEM
Dear Editor,
I have recently become aware
of two “problems” which I feel
are vital to the growth of all my
Bennett College sisters. These
“problems” occur in our most
frequented place on campus—the
Chapel. Maybe I have the wrong
conception and am going along
with an erroneous idea, but
please answer this question for
me. Why is it necessary for the
person who rings the bell to in
dicate the close of the chapel’ by
ringing it when a speaker has
not quite finished his discourse?
I feel that this is quite rude and
also is quite a paradox. For here
at Bennett we are drilled v/ith
the thought of concern and
courteousness for the next person.
If the person goes over his time,
I definitely feel that it is for our
betterment. Is this not why these
speakers are invited, for our
betterment and enlightment?
Also in connection with pro
grams, is there any way the mic
rophone can be turned up? I sit
in the back and cannot hear
most of the ceremony.
—A Chapel Attender
A BRAZEN BEAUTY?
Dear Editor:
Since the beginning of this se
mester, there has been a large,
grey-and-black, very extraordin
ary cat on campus. You see, this
cat is extraordinary because he
is brazen. Most cats run when
you stamp your foot, not this one.
He simply turns around and
saunters down the walk. Not only
is this cat brazen but he hunts.
To my knowledge he has killed
two squirrels (Oct. 5, and Oct. 8),
and seriously wounded one pig
eon. I like cats, I have one at
home, but when they turn can
nibal it is time to get rid of them.
Our squirrels have never done
anything destructive but drop
acorns on a few heads. Are we
going to sit back and let this
brazen cat drive our squirrels
away? Whatever happened to our
peaceful campus?
“Canine puzzled”
GRIPES AND
GRUDGES
Talk is cheap, and actions speak
louder than words. For three
years, I have listened to the
gripes and grudges of my fellow
students. Behind the four walls
and closed doors of dormitory
room strategies and plans are
mapped out as to what .shall be
done, and that is as far as these
well planned strategies go. “Some
thing must be done,” is the out
raged cry. “I’m sick and tired of
it.” Well, my fellow students,
time’s a wastin’.
All over the world unrest pre
vails. The Negro Renaissance is
in its height. The word is AC
TION. No one has ever gotten
anywhere by sitting back and
theorizing. Unless the theory is
put to practice, the hypothesis is
useless. The word is PROGRESS.
Tomorrow is too late, today is
not soon enough. The word is
NOW.
I challenge you to act, to pro
gress, now. In unity is Strength,
and a house divided cannot stand.
We are no longer children to be
sheltered and protected. We will
300n be thrown out into the world
to fight for ourselves, and it is
not all roses out there. What you
do now will reflect your future
actions. The manner in which you
:ope with present problems is an
indication of the manner in which
you will cope with greater prob
lems in the future. Turning your
back on them or leaving them for
someone else to solve is not the
answer.
AJl Negroes look in disgust at
the Uncle Tom stereotype, and
yet it seems the Uncle Toms are
lot dead (or they have been re
incarnated). To the Uncle Toms
I ask. What satisfaction do you
derive from betrayal? Truly, the
spiritual satisfaction or the tan
gible rewards must be great, for
the price is high.
As we prepare to enter into
the world out there, let us all
stop and take a good analytical
look at ourselves, for from these
walls will imerge the finished
product.
And you, What will you be?
—Cleo A. Walker
What about Backlash?
BENNETT IS IDEAL
What is wrong with those who
grumble about some procedures
around Bennett? Nothing is wrong
here. The only thing that is re
quired is to wear set clothing on
certain occasions, this is so you
look stately puritan, like being
a “plastered saint” in a white
dress.
If you need to go to the shop
ping area, maybe two miles, for
something you really need, you
only have to walk back whether
raining or snowing, whether you
know someone who has a car or
not.
Then you only have to be care
ful to ask the right question in
assemblies or comment within
the traditional rules.
Don’t dare try to secure mail be
fore chapel, you can’t, you might
use the chapel as your reading
place, even if its the money you
needed for something special.
Consider these things as part
of an ideal no matter how unreal
they may seem. (Don’t be disil
lusioned).
—Lillie Madison
Interpretations
LBJ: Brand for livestock, name
of a ranch, name of a future
town and brand for aU members
of one family.
WE WANT A PRESIDENT
WHO CAN REPRESENT — us
too!