Newspapers / Black Ink (Black Student … / Feb. 10, 1983, edition 1 / Page 2
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Page 2 BLACK INK February 10, 1983 Let's get more political It's the time we raised our political consciousness to the level where we view the world from a broader perspective than that of black students on the cam pus of UNC. In the United States these days, real power continues to elude the black race. Political effectiveness is a major key to economic betterment. Improvement in the economic spheres in turn further enhances political effectiveness. Political organizations and political power are intertwined. An unorganized mass of people can have little impact on the governmental allocation of social and economic values. Power has bases other than political organization. Votes, money, prestige and knowledge constitute additional significant resources which can be translated into political power. Any survey of black people's environment will reveal that blacks have all these resources in varying amounts, but their greatest assets are political organizations and the ballot. Blacks need a new kind of politics, not only for blacks, but especially for blacks. We need a political leadership with unselfish devotion to the interest of black political liberation to replace token black politicians more dedicated to the ends of the white political parties and personal advantages than to the in terest of total black freedom from political, economic, and social bondage. We should not totally reject participation in the established political order. There are good things to be derived from almost any kind of political endeavor, so long as we understand its uses, misuses, and relative limitations. For one thing a political party, office or nomination can be a platform from which to project our grievances in even losing campaigns. It can also be a means of exhorting our black masses and by doing so, raise the general level of consciousness of ourselves as a political people. Viewpoint Political activity is not free of cost, and one important cost factor is time. It takes time, personal time for one to be politically active. One must also possess the interest and some information about politics and the governmental system. To "talk politics" without learning a trace of factual information is almost im possible — there would be nothing to talk, gossip or gripe about. More deman ding forms of political participation require an accurate cognitive understanding of the political world. Today, if you haven't already begun, start thinking politically by: 1. Learning to be partisan. Take a position on a political issue, know why you've taken your position, then prepare to defend your position. 2. Learning to participate in politics. There are different types of participation — voting, wearing buttons, giving money, demonstrating in the streets. 3. Learning political information. Accumulate facts on the structure of govern ment, candidates, and positions different parties take. 4. Learning to participate with skill. Skillfully use your speaking, writing, per suasive skills in the political spectrum. We have important stakes in the political game. Why let others decide what moves we will make. Why should we "stay the course" if the "course" is leading us over the edge. Let's chart our own course. LET'S GET POLITICAL! BLACK INK If blackness can be converted into words and pictures, we intend to do it. GWEN HAILEY Sonja Payton Editor In Chief Associate Editors Vince Steele Stanley Woodley Allen Davis Lisa Lewis Photography Editor Business Manager Advertising Manager Cheryl Williams Features Editor Linda Conley Arts Editor Wt &0T ONE...TWO...Mo,ONt In The I.H6U&H THRtE lU the ftPAK 0|PT... From the Mailhnx INSPIRED BY KING: "I, TOO, HAVE A DREAM" To the Editor: "I have a dream! I have a dream that one day my children can walk hand in hand with the white children in my neighborhood. I have a dream that we as black, white, Jewish, and gentile can unite under one cause " These words were spoken by a great individual whom I've never met before. This individual has been a positive influence on my life. I am speaking of Martin Luther King Jr., the most notable civil rights activist of the 1960s. He was one of the greatest public speakers and a firm believer in God. I greatly admire all of these qualitites because they serve as high standards in my life today. When I was much younger, I used to listen to albums which taped King's most famous speeches. I was amazed as to how great a leader he was in the civic arena. Now that I'm older and more mature, I have gain ed a greater appreciation of the way King organized interest groups and set up race-relation workshops. I tru ly admire how he was able to raise public sentiment by introducing a doctrine which he named "the non violent approach to racism," and as he traveled from place to place, he only served to strengthen his credibi lity in the eyes of his followers. I would someday like to be able to be the leader and civic organizer that he was. I would take great pride in developing programs that would im prove the race relations of our society. 1 would love to be a public speaker with the ability possessed by King. His articulation made him an unbelievable orater. The rumbling tone of his voice reminded me of a disciple ministering with his per suasive presentations. The words from his mouth seemed to pierce in to the hearts of the American people, helping them to realize that he stood up for what he believed in, no matter So it is that I, too, have a dream — the same dream that King fought for with nonviolence and the same dream he died for with nonviolence. Yes, I dream, too, that one day we will continue to unite as "one brethren" to make America the land of the free so all of us will be able to take advantage of the opportunities of our democratic society and truly rejoice and live that dream that King so persistently hoped and prayed for. Yes, King, I'm certain, has been an influence not only to me, but all mankind. May his dream live on. Kovac Ricardo Bynum To the Editor: As the New Year dawns on the 17th season of the Black Ink, I would like to congratulate your staff, in general, and you, in particular, for the high journalistic standards which you have maintained throughout your tenure. In the midst of the onerous pressures facing the BSM last semester, the Ink has been refreshing ly consistnet and remarkable courageous in its coverage of issues and events affecting the Black campus community. Indeed it is extremely reassuring to know that the Ink con tinued to provide a perspective on Black affairs which no other medium can. In 1978 and 1979, the Curriculum in African and Afro-American Studies sponsored a Summer Jour nalism Seminar for high school students. Several of you attended that seminar. It is gratifying that you have remembered your charge: " I am a warrior, a fighter for many causes, and advocate of justice for all. The mouth and ear of my community. I am a prophet." Sincerely, Sonja H. Stone Assistant Professor
Black Ink (Black Student Movement, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
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