Black Ink
Discussion Group Helps
Black Males Adjust At UNC
Current Events
Page 3
September
By Charles McNair
Staff
Networking with white students in “white” settings for future contact
references; unity among African-American students at UNC; the implicit
absorbtion by blacis of the inferiority concept; isolation of the biacic
student in the classroom; and self-segregation—these are all topics rela
tive and pressing to today’s black male student at UNC. These are also
some of the topics brought to light at an informal discussion group “for
and about black male students at UNC-CH.”
Brothers, now in its second year, is where the black male student can
go and voice his opinion, let out anxieties and fears, and become unified
with other black males who may not otherwise be a part of his “social
circle.” It is also a place where he may go to get informatkjn, form new
ideas, give and get advice and, in so doing, become culturally enriched.
It is not a group of genuis eggheads brainstorming for the solutk)n to
world peace, but regular people who try to make sense of their world and
the world around them by communicating.
Dr. QiffordH. Charles, counselorandcoordinatorofminority student
programs, facilitates the discussions. Attending the first meeting of the
school yeaV on Sept. 6,1 was dissapointed by the lack of participants. At
the beginning of the meeting, I was the only one there apart from Dr.
Charles. As the minutes rolled by, people began to show up so that by the
end of the session 5 people were present. “Last year when we met in
Chase, we had as few as two people and as many as about 12,” stated Dr.
Charles, citing that lack of or little publicizing has hindered the group’s
growth. With only five people there though, I was surprised at how well
the group allowed for varying opinions, the frankness of the individuals
(i.e. The Gospel According to fill in your name), and the mutual respect
afforded to all. “We offer a safe and confidential environment so that you
can say what you want without reservations. Confidentiality is a must,”
explained Charles as everyone tookavownottoattachany names to any
thing that was said that night.
When asked how he found out about the group, Andre Tippens, a
junior business major from Charlotte, N.C replied, “I saw a flyer that said
‘Discussion group for black males at UNC.’ I thought I would come to this
discussion gruop to see what type of issues were being discussed. Hope
fully, I could obtain some useful information that would help me grow as
a black male on this campus.” When asked what did he think Brothers
could contribute to the black community as well as to the University as a
whole, Tippens said, “Brothers teaches you not to be ignorant of your
culture. It teaches you to love your culture and to love yourself. Brothers
contributes to the diversity of ther University in the essence that it
supports the heightening of cultural and self awareness. And in order to
make a cultural contribution attributing to the diversity of anything, you
must first know your own.”
Dr. Charles has a definite vision for Brothers.
“We’re starting off small; we intend to get big. We’re trying to develop
a community and in order to develop a community you must make
sacrifices.” The ‘you’ refers to you my brothers. Dr. Charles also has spe
cific goals for Brothers. “Brothers is here to provide social support for
today’s black male. It is here to provide cultural afi'imiation because not
many positive reflections of blacks exist on campus except on the courts
or on the field. And it is here to inaease education and awareness about
issues relevant to black people such as AIDS, sex, drugs and alcohol,
stress management, and identity.” Occasionally, there will be guest
speakers from the university or Triangle area featured at the meetings.
Brothers meets everyThursday, 6-7:30 p.m. inthe 1st floor lounge of
Ehringhaus. Yes, I know that you usually eat during that time. Yes, I know
that the walk in inconvenient.
Yes, I know that you are usually
studying during that time or that
you have other things to do at that
time. But if we are to develop a
unified community of black males
here at UNC, sacrifices are
needed—are required. Brothers,
I strongly urge you to check out
the group formed soley to help
meet your personal and social
needs as a black male. At a pre
dominately white university where “racism” is on the lips of almost every
black person, is ignoring such a resource created to promote self-worthi
ness and cultural awareness any less horrible than racism itself? Think
about it.
CARRBORD
Akinwole N'fiaL Wrifiht/BI!«ck/n*
Cta behalf of the Brotheis of the Om^ Psl Phi Fraternity,
Inc., Sfy Surles presents a qtilz-flle to Dean Fuse-Hall and the
C^ce of Student Counselli]^.
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