^i^^Black Ink
Endsights:
Endsights/Letters to the Editors
Page?
i September 17
"As a community, we will REAP what
we sow. We must not become victims of our
own inaction, but shining examples of
citizens in action."
By Nigel LoDg
Contributor
The Reinvestment and Educational Action Program (REAP) is a
series of community oriented presets addressing educational,
political and economic issues facing the African-American com
munity. The program is sponsored by the Civic Investment Com
mittee, which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting the
community through civic and economic reinvestment, with
members in several cities throughout the southeast.
REAP is based on the philosophy that the black community is
best uplifted by those seeking to uplift themselves as individuals.
This campus is full of people of color striving to better themselves
academically, artistically and athletically. These are the kinds of
individuals needed to inspire a sense of hope and pride in a people
who are increasingly being described as mentally and spiritually
lifeless.' Individuals of this caliber are realistically the best role
models for not only young people of color, but young people in
general.
REAP is composed of projects such as the Role Models program
in local elementary schools, voter registration drives on campus
and in the community, and economic literacy projects targeting
the African-American community. These projects allow civic-
minded students of culture to make an immesurable contribution
to the community, while contributing only a few hours a week.
What are some of the beliefs espoused by the Civic Investment
Committee? Many of the beliefs espoused by the CIC fall into the
following categories: education, f)olitics and economics.
On Education
We believe that educatton is not merely the imparting of
information. Education should allow the individual to think criti
cally and do for self. It must allow him or her not only to expand
his mental boundaries, but also to expand his realm of oppourtu-
nities. It is more than education, it is edification. It is a tool that
allow an individual to extract himself from a negative enviroment
and make the best of his or her situation.
Education does not merely involve being taught by instruction
it is also acquired by observation. In fact, it is often inspired by
observation. This is why it is important that young people be
provided with positive role models. The CIC Role Model Program
allows people to impact the lives of elementary-age students by
spending an hour to two hours a week in a third or fourth grade
class. This project allows students to be not only role models for
young people of color, but role models for young people of all
ethnicities and cultures.
On Politics
Politically, it is vital to get people of color to register and vote
in large numbers. We must learn to study the issues and vote for
the candidates that offer the best program for not only the black
community but for his or her entire constituency. The health of the
body of constituents directly affects the health of the black com
munity. This demands that we step beyond partisan politics and
judge candidates by their individual agendas and not those of their
political parties.
The ac will spear head a community voter registration drive.
It is not merely a registration drive, this is an information drive.
Infomiation is one of the most potent tools in the political process.
Through canvassing specific areas of Orange County with publi-
catk)ns and campaign literature, we are providing a necessary
element in this upcoming election.
On Economics
The issue of economics is the keynote to the entire reinvest
ment program. Any community seeking to control its destiny must
fire exercise control of its capital or economic resources. This
requires an understanding of the economic power of the black
community and the individual. Wetermthis "Economic Literacy."
By offering financial services and educating the public about
"green power," we are contributing to the economic 1 iteracy of the
community. We are also seeking to make financial investment in
black America by establishing a public trust fund for the promo
tion of education, cultural arts and civic oriented endevors. The
CIC also believes that people should be infomied about more than
the economics of the stocks and bond markets on Wall Street.
People should be made aware of economic oppourtuities that
exist that exists on our streets. Black professionals have been
educated away from the comer store and into the corner. Many
have virtually ignored the building blocks of a strong economy,
that is the entrepreneur. Our Jewish, Oriental and Arab brothers
and sisiters understand this concept of “comerstore” economics
and continually use it to their collective advantage We must
reinvest in the small Black and Brown businesses that operate in
our communities. As individuals, we should make it a habit to
purchase goods and services from a Black owned and operated
business at least once a week.
We realize that there is not one program for addressing our
most pressing concems. People and organizations must deal with
the situations and conditions as they find them. Furthennore, we
can not hope to solve all of our social and economic problems.
However, actions that we as individuals choose to lake, no matter
how small, will enrich our personal lives as well as the life of the
Black community. As a community, we will REAP what we sow.
We must not become victims of our own inaction, but shining
examples of our citizens in action.
In order to find out more information concerning the Chric
Investment Committee, please contact Nigel Long (933-
4804),MalcolmTumer(9334602),Chris MiUer(933-2379),
Bob Curry (933-3345), or Clay Barrow (933-2382).
Express yourself about issues that coacetnBlack
Ink readers. Articles should be three pages long,
typed double spaced (include year, major, and home
town). Drop your article by Suite 108-D Student Un
ion, or mail to Black Ink, CB# 5210, Student Union,
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
We Upon Se^MLfation?
la ihe Septmiber 4th bistte fee “Black Tejteoce:
Gan'isoomote tibat for twoyears be hss waiting to(z "real"'
Biadt CultBriJ Csitef. Hfe argued th^ amy of die fecoity
s«ppoitlJieBladfcCol^^ Ceniefrnidtbatt is
ofi to lltfe AfntatihAmerfeaii stud^ body aftd
Sj(g)p^$*toiMWiifetheoeccssaiyfo(Kl^
the Cultural C^er diatexist&eHa the cf UNC-CH,;
ISo (Shet mkaofky group t»j this ibas a C&tset.:
JwcwJdiikelokiwwbo8rc'’nJisce11ane)«s««pp«tcr$’'? ;
aitide 'maj WOi UNC-CM Gets lls Black Cultural Ceotet?",;
iaiije 1st p%r«gr^h,2t5t fine, 5lioil4dolhis
entire Afelcaft-Amefican Mudent body (axl
piisccSasetRJ? sypporters) to sdicfe funds.w* Do you refer tO;
supporters’ as people
who thteic that a Biad CvbraJ Centef would be a cbaisseto
learn alwstt Aftjcaii'AjtMS'ksati biacay^md who would be wiliifig
' to s&ppoft Ihe Colural Center by giving futids or volunteering
t'ifne? Or are they people who Aren't as s:^incsfit as the
'African“An>erican stud^ body^ Garrfewi also ^Sated tbat
' African-Amencan sladeots at UNC-CH have beo^victirtHzed by
1hei2ckduiKfcts{andingofAfdcafl-Aniefk:aflcu!tnffi“™la^,
but so areothernimority groups,. He ftjitber staled lha "African*
Mief ican students would tttst be satisfied with a sm\l space lo
the Firanic Port^ Graham Student tjntoa^ On tfe; second floor
of tlie Student sits the “Native Amerkan Cuftutal Osn-'
tet"“-a single desk, crjuumed ttso a ^naH room together willt a
huge file cabinet, three wooden chairs, and a targer cksk—
which bdongstoa dSfeent organizaticMi How could^is
Native Amedcan students, be^o^lfishto ask for aftything«itB'e;
^ a doset for a centcif
The iadctrfNative Artierkan: fecuJty/staff attbe University of
CaroJina-Chapel Hill is a serious prciiem. Until this year,
the Native American studcrtts had no faculty as roic models.
Carolina Indian Circle provided the Chancellor of this lintvcr-
5ity^ Paul Haidin, with an ampie suf^y of qualified candidales •
eager to join Ae UNC-Q1 facufey/staff.
I propose lhal a commaiec (composed a rqiffescntativc
frymdiffeent oilliffes) beselecled to planonc silt«jal ccntcr in
a single building No, i do not mean >ne huge room with a few
paintings illustrating a part of a particular history,, but a building
wfch different ikors; each ftoc«' bousing a diffefent culture, 0|
couise, ibis plan is costly^f btft if we are dedicated and willing tOi
put a latle elbow i^ease intoplajnnit^, volunteering spare time,
^sl»ring kJeas for funding* ibis could defineiiy work,; ^
kxating irtukipleeuittires tnone building woidd unite those
cultures ^ give each, other the chance toappreciJtte cultures
otherdianiteirown. Met all,onefifttnor^y group isjtotiacae:
important to another. lleaveyouwitbaquestiori'HDowe
wori and live tf^aher in hannotty, or diould we ins&t on
separat)(«?” Trey PrevJttc is a french jnafor from
?ayetteviHe,NC,
Think Black Ink...
TODAY!!
Black Ink will hold a staff meeting
today in room 226 of the Carolina Union at
6:30. All interested UNC students and staff
are welcome.