NEWS
BLACK INK
The essence of freedom is understanding
Volume 12, Number 10
BI.At K STL'DF.NT MOVKMENT OF FK IAI, NEWSPAPER University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill,
February 7,1980
Drakeford speaks at Black planning seminar
By SHARON MARSHALL
News Editor
Traditional types of city planning
cannot serve the Black community ef
ficiently, according to Carrboro
mayor Bob Drakeford, who spoke at a
symposium sponsored by Black plan
ning students F'riday, Jan. 25.
Although city planning does effec
tively improve some areas of the
Black community, it has negative ef
fects as well, such as displacement.
“Negative things are happening
every day, but we’re just unaware of
them,” said Drakeford who spoke on
the “Effects of Planning Upon the
Black Community.”
Drakeford was joined by George
Worthy, a professor of a Built En
vironment Studies Program at
Morgan State University.
Guest speakers Drakeford and
Morgan both discussed the
negativeness of planning in the Black
community, however Morgan placed
more emphasis on the economical ef
fects on Blacks.
Morgan said the inflation rate “will
have a devasting impact on the Black
community” then explained how poor
Blacks in the cities would be the first
to suffer because once the taxpayers
leave a designated area due to plann
ing, the government stops support to
that city. The result, according to
Morgan, is that poor Blacks are left in
those areas with no help from the
government.
“I think of cities that will be first (to
suffer from the) economy and infla
tion,” said Morgan, because they de
pend on the government and will be
affected first. When he thought of
Housing crunch creates
long waiting list
By LTANYA MATHIS
Staff Writer
“When I got closed out last ye««r, I had no idea what 1 was gonna do. 1 was emotionally
and financially devastated.” — UNC student.
According to Phyllis Graham, assistant director of university housing, 885 people re
quested positions on the housing waiting list for academic year 1979-80. As of the beginn
ing of this semester, all persons on that list have been assigned rooms. "We even have
some vacancies now,” she said. But having to wait for a whole semester to finally
receive an assignment which lasts only four months longer is obviously unfair as well as
inconvenient.
Of course, the area’s housing crunch and the rising costs of living make unfairness to a
few inevitable. Students would l>e well advised to start seeking alternatives to dorm
housing before the lottery for 1980-«1 ends. Preliminary and general drawings will be
held on Feb. 20 and 25, respectively. Waiting lists will be posted shortly thereafter.
One UNC student said, "I knew it was gonna be hard getting back into the dorm after
getting closed out, but I just couldn’t afford an apartment. 1 had to plead hardship and
still didn’t get an assignment until late July. 1 was lucky.” Waiting list students are
assigned spaces created through cancellations, so one’s position on the list determines
whether or not the wait will be long.
Graham projected that the number of waiting list requests "should be approximately
the same number as for 1979-80. Keeping those students in mind, she said that the Student
Consumer Action Union (SCAU), in conjunction with the Apartment Dwellers Associa
tion, will sponsor seminars with information about off-campus living sometime soon.
SCAU also publishes Southern Part of Heaven, a survey which provides listing informa
tion. alternatives to dorm and apartment housing, and student surveys of housing
facilities in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area,” Graham said, "These serv ices as well as the
up-to-date listing service in Carr Building, are available to anyone seeking the informa
tion” — those on the waiting list and those seeking offampus housing by choice.
The department of housing’s Room to Uve booklets, distributed on January 28, contain
application-contracts and university housing policies. Graham warned. "Policies
haven’t changed since last year, but I can’t emphasize enough how important it is for
students to read carefully and understand the entire booklet before signing. The
residence hall staff is there to answer any questions and should be utilized. /Mso our staff
here in the housing department can help.”
Graham also pointed out that a proposed "unsubstantial” dorm rent increase of not
more than seven percent will be in effect for next year. The exact budget, however, is
still under consideration by officials. The hike will also pertain to onampus housing for
both 1980 summer sessions. Contracts for the summer will come out sometime in March.
This year’s freshman class, by now fanuliar with the expectant waiting involved in
ever> facet of UNC life, will get their first taste of housing procedures this month.
Seasoned upperclassmen remember this time of the year as one of crossed fingers and
anticipator)- prayers. For many UNC students. February may prove to be the longest
month of 1980.
4
Ik ^ V
liib Drakeford
these cities, Morgan said, he thought
of Blacks.
Morgan is so serious about the
economy of Blacks, that he feels an
economic crisis similar to the Great
Depression of 1929, is inevitable, an
added burden to poor Blacks in par
ticular.
“I use that example because I think
we are in that same situation today,”
said Morgan, who drew the parallels
of both eras through inflation, talk of
war, and the all-important theme to
eliminate poverty.
“The violence will be between the
‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots,’ ” said
Morgan. “The upcoming crisis will be
an economic one, not a racial one.”
On Black gays and racism
By LAWRENCE TURNER
Staff Writer
The Carolina Gay Association at a
public meeting last semester focused a
discussion about attitudes on an old, yet
present belief — racism.
The discussion consisted of a
barometric game in which people par
ticipating moved to the side of the room
which best represented their initial
reaction to statements asked about
race-related matters. Choices were
strongly agree, mildly agree, strongly
disagree and mildly disagree.
Eighteen people took part in the exer
cise for most of its length, only two of
whom were Black. Afterward, people
discussed the reasons for their reac
tions.
Some statements used were “I don’t
see racism as a major issue in my life
because I don’t think I act racist.” “1
just don’t trust people of another race
as much as people of my race.” “When
I’m in a group conversation I often go
out of my way to include whoever’s in
the racial minority.”
One Black participant Kathy said, “I
am ver>’ racist. I use it to avoid becom
ing close to white culture.”
“Something tells me to be wary, said
David Bibb in response to the second
question. Another participant, Randy
Woodland said, “I would like to know
race wouldn’t be an issue, but I don’t
know. It is not a fundamental concern
about their race it’s their ways; I don’t
know about that.”
I hope I can overcome racist feel
ings and I am conscientiously working
on that.” participant Mike said (who
did not reveal last name) about trusting
people of other races.
The third statement about including
whojver is in the racial minority evok
ed this response from Sally i who does
not want her real name used) “I have a
white guilt thing and I make an effort to
include black group members. The one
time I would do that,” she added, “is
when at a gay function and there are
few Black gay women out.”
“My initial reaction is leave things
be,” participant Glenn Farbaugh said
about the statement. “To pick someone
out is as easy to make them feel un
comfortable as to ignore them.”
Referring to the people he supervises
at his job, Lennard said about the same
statement, “I let the white in
competents flounder quicker than the
Black incompetents flounder.”
Following the game, CGA member
Kathy said she believes Black gays are
in the Chapel Hill community. She said
the CGA needs to actively seek them in
stead of only talk about the possibility.
However, other group members sug
gested aside from getting other Black
gays to join, to reflect on their attitudes
towards Blacks.
“For a long time we have been aware
there aren’t any Black people active in
CGA,” Carlisle said. The organization
would, however, like to do things for the
Black gay community and “provide ac
tivities for Black gays,” she added.
We would like to know how many peo
ple would l)e interested in a discussion
group for Black gays Carlisle said. If in
terested leave a card at the Carolina
Union, Box 39, or leave it at the desk
and it will be placed in the box.
The problems gays encounter are
related to civil rights Carlisle said.
“The CGA may not be able to do that
now, (help Black gays) I would like for
that to change.
‘‘We are procedure-oriented as well
as product-oriented,” Carlisle explain
ed. Concern is placed in planning ac
tivities.