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Black Ink
Black Leaders Carry on the Dream
They come I'rom cliftcrcnl cilics,
possess dilTcrent backgrounds and hold
dilTcrenl interests. But they tight lor one
cause — the situation of the black student
al UNC.
These seven leaders speak with deep
concern about the black students on this
campus. A common word among then is
"apathy." They are all concerned about
the loss of the consent decree requiring
UNC to work towards a 10 percenl black
student population.
Most find it dilTicult to see a bright
lulure lor blacks on this campus as far as
achieving a stronger campus voice,
stronger political power and more cultural
activities.
And six of the seven leaders who
have fought to avoid such a situation are
seniors and will soon graduate from UNC.
Although these leaders say that they
don't have an optimistic outlook Ibr the
lulure Ibi' blacks on this campus, they all
say that they hope the students and the ad
ministration prove them wrong.
Camille Roddy
Camille Roddy is among the campus'
most visible black leaders. Her position
as president of The Black Student Move
ment keeps Roddy in the spotlight doing
speeches to boost support for everything
from Black Awareness Week to saving
Shaw University.
This 21-year-old senior public policy
analysis major is I'rom Winstom-Salem.
When she's not doing work for the
BSM, she's tries to find time to do pro
jects with the Ladies of Black and Gold,
sweetheart organization to Alpha Phi
Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Roddy al.so serves as president of the
honorary organization. Order of the
Golden Fleece.
“Too many blacks feel that there is
no need to continue the civil rights strug
gle." said Rt)ddy. "Black students need
to make a commitment to civil rights. "
Roddy .said that black students need
to become more aware of what's going on
politically. She also suggested that blacks
gel more involved in campus activities and
organizations.
"While students dominate everything
from Student Government to The Daily
Tar He'd," she said. "They're not even
involved in the (Black Student
Movemenl)."
Many of the blacks who are afraid to
stand up and make themselves heard,
Roddy said, are not providing black
leaders with much needed support, faith
and confidence.
Wiih the consent decree no longer in
effect, Roddy questions whether or not
UNC and the system's other 15 univer
sities will continue to make strides to bet
ter integrate their schools.
Roddy said that all she has for the
future of blacks al UNC is hope. "Maybe
the black students will rise to the occas-
sii)ii and force the administration to ti) pay
allenlion lo (heir concerns, " she said.
"Whether they will or not, will have
to be seen.
m
Dexter Tucker
(photo by Reiihcna Whined)
"Blacks need lo continue to stand up
for their rights." Dexter Tucker said.
Tucker not only dedicates time lo his
own Iralernily, Phi Bela Sigma, bul often
linds himself standing up for ihc righis of
ihc seven black Iralerniiies and sori)riiics
on campus. Tucker is presidenl of ihe
Black Greek Cimncil. and is a 2 1 year old
industrial rclalions maji)r from Greenville,
N.C.
When ihc Greek organizalions aren'l
taking up his lime. Tucker tries lo pro
vide support lo the BSM.
"It's kind of sad that we sii back
when issues come up," Tucker said.
Many ol the issues concerning blacks are
being downplayed by the Universily, he
said.
Tucker said lhal blacks are also at
laull because Ihey allow the tiownplaying
lo lake place.
"II you let me push you around. I'm
gonna push you around, " he said. "Ifyou
light back. I'm gonna know better next
lime."
I ucker also expressed concern for the
ending ol ihe Universily's rcqtiiremenl lo
meei ihe consenl decree.
"Black sludcnls need lo watch out lor
the repercussions," he said.
Interested persons should pick up ORDER OF THE BELL TOWER
applications at the Student Union desk.
ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA
Candlelight Vigil
Monday, January 19
In The Pit
(pholo hy Rcuhcna Whined)