Newspapers / Black Ink (Black Student … / Jan. 29, 1980, edition 1 / Page 3
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VIEWPOINT An Ink Editorial Infightings jealousy may be root of problems BEVERLY R. SHEPARD Special Projects Editor “We’re so busy fighting each other that we’re digressing,” a Black freshman commented about the general progress of Blacks. In the 70’s, Blacks were being caught up in the whirl of a dog-eat-dog mania. It’s each man for himself. Now that Blacks can come in through the front door instead of the back and afford Cadillacs instead of Fords, they feel that they are “ridin’ high.” Compared to where the Bldck man was 100, 20, or even 10 years ago, he has progressed a great deal. A fre quent complaint offered by students, however, was that Blacks are being measured and molded into a white society. As Blacks progress, they must meet the white man’s standards which dictates a certain amount of “phoniness.” In layman terms. Blacks refer to this “phoniness” as “tomming” or “eating cheese.” One sophomore said, “the majority of Black people are not real . . . they have to live up to an image ... we are all striving for materialistic things that have no value.” One Black male said that as Blacks strive to meet white society’s stan dards, they are losing their Black identity. After Blacks succeed materialistically, they are content to sit in central air-conditioning and plush leather chairs thinking that because they have made it, it’s up to other Blacks to make it for themselves. Some students felt that the mere nature of attending a prominent white university as a minority is enough to promote intra-racial competition and emphasize cultural differences. Some Blacks attend UNC for the reference that less distinguished Black schools cannot offer tl\em. The university also emphasizes cultural barriers between the financially secure and those who would not be here without financial aid. A Black freshman sensed that these cultural differences tended to make some Black students “snob bish.” Blacks cannot began to fight disunification until they realize that the source lies within ourselves. The disunification that is displayed by the discouragingly small amount of par ticipation at Black Student Movement demonstrations and lack of bountiful support from Black faculty must be extenuated. If Blacks rally for in creased minority enrollment, they must also demand and initiate greater intra-racial unification. I put a lot of faith in Blacks because I feel that they have the potential to climb and reach new heights of awareness Letters to the Editifr Zetas complain To the Editor: We the ladies of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority demand an apology from Black Ink for our exclusion from both the story and pictures on Black Greeks in your November issue. We fail to understand why we are the only Greek organization not represented in some form or fashion in that story. If this were an isolated incident of negligence there would be no cause for this editorial, however this is not the case. Our sorority was colonized on this campus November 18, 1978 and there was no coverage of our acomplish- ment whatsoever in the Ink. Instead, that issue was covered with photos of the Lampados stepshow. We too, had a stepshow that week, yet you will find no mention of it in that issue. Since our Founding on this campus we have made many contributions to the community and campus. We have made contributions to the Black Stu dent Movement, the Heart Fund, the United Negro College Fund, the NAACP, and other worthwhile organizations. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority has a tradition that spans over six decades. A tradition built on Scholar ship, Service Sisterhood and Finer Womanhood. These are the traditions that we as members of ZOB strive to uphold. Zeta Phi Beta is one of the eight members of the National Pan- Hellenic and should be respected as such. We realize that our chapter is small but, WE DO EXIST and we did carry out our part in making Homecoming Week the success it was. As long as there is one Zeta on this campus we will not ignore our responsibilities to the campus community. We would therefore appreciate it if we, as is done for others, could be recognized for our achievements and contribu tions to the Black campus communi ty- Respectfully Submitted by The Indies of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Eta Phi Zeta Chapter UNC-CH Colony and mightier depths of strength. But the first step begins with the in dividual being sensitive and respon sive to the needs of all brothers and sisters. Striving to get ahead, yes, but not forgetting from where we’ve come in order to get there. Brothers and sisters, the struggle continues, and we’ve come too far to turn back now. Time for change To Black Students: The 80s are upon us and we must ask ourselves how history will record our deeds. Will history find us weak and unable to take on the task the past has left before us? Or will history find us as the winners of the long fought battle for freedom? These are the questions that only we can answer. It is my belief that history will find us to be brave and resourceful in our struggle. We will not allow the 80s to be a repeat of the same period a cen tury ago. We will not condemn our children to a hundred year cycle of shame and bondage. For we are in telligent enough to recognize the methods of injustice and we are not afraid to fight!! The time has come for us to be about our task. The time has come for us to study our past and protect our future. The time has come for us to build our nation within a nation as others have before us. The time has come for us to build a nation that is strong both politically and economically. If we are to survive as a people, then the time is now for us to assume our leadership role. This is a great task that lies before us and it is important that we prepare ourselves to meet this challenge. We must begin to use our intellect to im prove our own communities. Spend your money in black establishments. Use your hard-fought money for education to establish Black businesses and institutions. We are the vanguard of the 80s and the time has come for us to step boldly to the forefront of the Civil Rights Move ment, and let history record that we were sons and daughters of freedom. Let history record that we were strong in the face of adversity. I>et history record that we were the foun dation of a mighty nation. And let history record that we were up to the task. Stella F’. Jones Vice president North Carolina Black Student Coalition National holiday needed for MLK DONNA D. WHITAKER Associate Editor On January 15, 1929, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born. On April 4,1968 he died. Between these dates Dr. King had a dream that men and women would one day live together equally in peace and harmony, and he tried to fulfill this dream. With his strong leadership. Black and White citizens of America non-violently sought equality where there was none. They sought to make life better in America. Dr. King’s dream lives on. Through memorials and celebrations such as the ones held at the School of Public Health and First Baptist Church on his birthday this year, people like Dr. Charles H. Long and Floyd McKissick tell of the ideals Dr. King tried to convey to the world. (Dr. Long is a Kenan Pro fessor of Religion at UNC-CH and Floyd McKissick is founder of Soul City, N.C.) A national holiday is needed to emphasize the importance of Dr. King’s message. Opponents of this idea may stress the large amount of money that will be lost because people will not work on that holiday. However, if the idea cat ches on, people will not work anyway. If Congress refuses to make Jan. 15 a national holiday, each city should set a precedent for the state it is in so that each state will eventually make the day a holiday. Some states, such as Massachusetts and Maryland have taken the initiative in that respect. Some people may label Dr. King a radical, and may object to making a holiday of his birthday. Well, was Washington not a radical when he fought against the British; against members of the Mother Country? Yet he is laud ed as a hero. Dr. King fought for what he believed in, just as Washington did. Maybe the basic problem is that Dr. King was Black. America has never honored a Black man by making his birthday a holiday. Maybe Dr. King did not demonstrate the criteria for becomimg an American hero — he never fought in a war and was never president. Whatever the case, we must remember Dr. King’s ideals and use them as encouragement to continue the struggle for equality. Dr. King lead us in that fight years ago. It is up to us to continue in his absence. VOICE OF THE READERS
Black Ink (Black Student Movement, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
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Jan. 29, 1980, edition 1
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