4 BLACK INK October 19, 197«
The button pushers strike once more
The University Space
Committee’s arbitrary decision to
eradicate the space currently
occupied by Upendo Lounge can
be described through a number of
metaphors—a slap in the face, a
pain in the neck, or more
eloquently, an encroachment into
the territory of student rights.
We prefer to call it a challenge.
Claiborne Jones, Dean Boulton
and their assorted array of
associates obviously like to run
the University by remote control.
They press buttons in South
Building and expect the grade-
hungry, status-seeking
automaton called Student to
instantly and cooperatively reagt.
Ask the students about their
decisions? Heavens no! Does one
ask a Coca-Cola machine whether
or not it wants to produce a Sprite
or Dr. Pepper? Does one consult
with one’s telephone in asking
whether or not it feels up to
making a long distance call?
And when, pretell, was the last
time you asked your television set
if it wanted to show “Monday
Night Football” or “All in the
Family”?
The pure truth of the matter is
that the UNC administration
could care less what the students
by Oveta Fuller
Do I want to? . . . Should I try or not. . .
Will I be accepted? . . . Did I make it? . . .
Here I am. It’ll be GRAND-if I go over.
Such are the thoughts of those con
templating becoming members of the
sororities and fraternities on Carolina’s
campus. For most, their initial doubts and
anticipations are over and “line” has
begun.
Now what?
The next six to ten weeks will be oc
cupied seeking an end for which many
have long thought of and now dared at
tempt. This time will be spent speaking,
steppin’, having little sleep and little
study, trying to become a soror or brother
. . . trying to go over.
Minds occupied, self set aside for the
group, lifestyles molded, a brotherhood
and sisterhood established that will go far
beyond the college days.
What does it mean? How does pledging
fit into the scheme of things? Who benefits
in the long run?
These questions remain in the minds of
non-Greeks, Greeks and pledgees. Are
sororities, fraternities and fellowships
meaningful organizations who ‘throu^
group interaction” benefit the Black
community? Or are they cover-ups for
exploding egos and petty cliques?
On goes the eiscussion over the value of
Black frats and sororities on UNC’s
campus. In the next issue Black Ink will
present an indepth study on this con
troversial topic.
But for those presently “on line.” ...
Are they about to embark upon one of the
most meaningful experiences of their
lives? Or are they about to lose forever an
irreplacable concept of self? Will the pot of
gold at the end of the rainbow be worth the
next few months of the unknown and
unexpected?
It is our wish that throughout the pledge
periods, each pledgee would keep a per
spective on life and maintain an
awareness of what’s going on outside the
intense world of “line.” It is also our desire
that each emerge as a responsible and
dedicated member of their chosen
organization, upholding the principles
whidi their founders first visualized—to
work not just for AKA, Delta, Kappa
Alpha, or Groove, but through them for the
betterment of all.
We have too much to do to lose sight of
the real reason we are here and the real
needs for service and social organizations.
The Black community has no room for
more divisions among ourselves. We
cannot spare even a few.
Oveta Fuller is a senior biology major
from Yanceyville, a member of Alpha
Kappa Alpha sorority, and Advertising
Manager of Black Ink.
think. And it is not without total
unexpectedness that the BSM and
all Black students have
discovered Upendo methodically
snatched away without prior
consultation, and without one iota
of space provided for an alternate
site.
What Jones and his cohorts are
in essence saying is, “We don’t
respect Black students. We don’t
thi^ you’re the same Black folks
you were a couple of years ago.
You want to party and make good
grades and become nice, neat
doctors and lawyers with two
cars, a split level house, and a
color TV.
“So you won’t stand up to us.”
By the time this editorial is
printed the controversy may have
been solved or it may have
blossomed into a major
confrontation.
Still, one fact is certain.
Unless we accept and defeat the
administration’s challenge,
unless we make Taylor, Jones,
and Boulton, and Co. realize that
we will not be insulted, rest
assured that they’ll be more
buttons pushed, more robots
programmed, more rights
mechanically ground out of
existence.
Such programs as the Ebony Readers will be left homeless if Upendo is usurped by the
space Committee.
Pledging—worth the time?
Butz quote racist, wicked
Chiquetta
Shackleford
Richard Nixon and Earl Butz have
recently acquired a mutual loose-lipped
confidant—the Hedda Hopper of Capitol
Hill—John Dean.
Just as Mr. Dean did the citizens of this
country a favor by disclosing the wicked
workings at Watergate, so he did in ex
posing the racist mentality of former
Secretary of Agriculture Earl Butz.
The type of disgustingly overt filth ex
pressed by Butz typifies the inhumane
attitude of Ford’s administration to the
plight of Blacks. Ford’s mere “slap-on-the-
wrist-bad-boy” reaction in fact shows that
he considers the right for respect, dignity,
and equality in human rights unimportant.
His failure to ask for Butz’s immediate
resignation does, indeed, imply in
difference to the feelings of this nation’s
largest minority.
If Black people do not see Butz’ racial
slur. President Ford’s nonchalant reac
tion, and the need for public pressure to
finally achieve Butz’ resignation as a sign
of the damaging possibilities of another
four years of Republican reign, then we’re
a lot further from overcoming than we
think.
Mr. Butz should be informed that the
real reason more Blacks do not vote
Republican is because of the racist,
bigoted, ignorant attitude which he
himself represents, and which seems to
run rampant throughout the Republican
party.
President Ford’s hesitant, tear-filled
acceptance of Butz’s resignation places
him and the ideals of his administration in
the same asinine category with Butz, and
makes it impossible to believe that Butz’
words do not reflect his inner feelings as
well as the attitude of Ford’s entire ad
ministration.
Such actions as those of Mr. Butz cannot
be apologized away. When Blacks go to the
polls in November, remembrances of the
indignations thrust upon Black dignity
during this presidential campaign should
not be left outside the polls.
Chiquetta Shackleford is a senior
speech-psychology major from Durham
and Black Ink Special Projects Editor.
BI4CK
INK
Volume 9, No. 4
Allen Johnson
Editor-in-chief
Gail Westry
Associate Editor
Linda Jenkins
Managing Editor
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