Learning From A Fallen Hero
HcUo.
They axe the media figures—the athletes, entertainers, politi
cians and special interest leaders.
We admire them, try to emulate them and in many ways idolize
them. They are held up as being the cream of American society, and their
private lives become public fodder for fans and critics alike. Often, they
seem more than human, and when they are revealed to be merely
terrestrial beings like ourselves, it comes as a nasty sobering shock.
The nation received such a shock last week Wednesday when
basketball great Earvin “Magic” Johnson announced that he had HIV,
the virus that precifHtates AIDS, and said he would retire from the sport
he loves. Few could ever imagine that the well-loved Los Angeles Laker,
32, would see his illustrious career terminated by a non sptHts-related
“injury” of a different kind. Johnson has pledged to fight against his
inevitable illness and has graciously decided to be a spokesperson for
AIDS awareness.
And this is the only good pan about an otherwise tragic event
Johnson, a powerfully influential darling of the media, can really bring
home the seriousrjess of the AIDS epidemic. His mere contracting of the
virus sends the strong message that AIDS does not disciimiriate on the
basis of race, age, sex, sexual orientation or, most importantly, social
status.
Johnson’s effectiveness as a spokesman would primarily lie in
his ability to reach a seemingly unreachable group of Americans—the
young black teenage set. Cynics that we are, my older brother and 1 have
dubbed this group “The Lost Generation,” meaning they have been
swallowed whole by drugs, violence and apathy. Until a few days ago,
I had given in to the philosophy of, “Salvage those you can, and write off
the rest” But this type of thinking ignores the possible utility of speakers
and leaders who can legitimately relate to contemporary black teens,
speakers like Johnson.
One TV anchor said he noticed a general movement to “eulo
gize” Johnson before the player’s actual demise. This is the last thing I
seek to do and Johnson has, after all, not yet been afflicted with AIDS.
It is hoped-for that he can live a long life and spend a part of it
disseminating the gospel on the disease and other pressing social issues.
I have not beai too tong divorced from my teens. I’m still
married to my youth and I know what’s out there. I see the disillusion
ment and consequent disdain on the faces of my brothers as our race
wades through these trying times of conservative politics. It’s literally
difTicult for some youth to care. It is my sincere hope that prominent
blacks, the media heroes, will take to their respective soapboxes and talk
straight about the problems facing African-Americans. With a firm
commiunent and a dose of Divine Intervention, maybe they can weave
a little Magic and tum things around.
God Bless,
Myron B. Pitts
Black Ink
"Tlu* t'ssfiu'c 1)1 ircvdom is understanding'
Eklitor: Myron B. Pins
Associate Editor: Corey Brown
Layout Editor: Rcnce Alexander Photography Editor: Michael Bowden
News Editor: Rolanda C. Bumey Opinion Page Editor: Jacqueline Charles
Business Editor: Kevin McNair Circulatlon/Personnei Manager Kathy
Reiners On-Campus Editor. Lee Richardson
Staff: Natalie Baucum, Morgan Bates, Pamela Best, Keisha Brown, Sherry
Byrd, Jennifer O. Ferguson, Latricia M. Henry, Scot: Johnson, Lisa Lavelle,
Felts Lewis, Roger Madison, John T. McCann, Chandra McLean, TJ. Stan-
cil, Tonika M. Tillman. Corey Sturdivant, Stefan Tyson, Natarsha Wither
spoon
Cartoonists: Douglas Barrier, Delancey Bennet, Lem Butler, Stefan Tyson
Inside Black Ink
Monday, November 11,1991
Cover Story
UNDERGROUND MAKES WHILE THE MAINSTREAM TAKES
Despite what many think, pop music’s fans and musicians have borrowed frequently ftx>m the
resources of the jazz, soul and rap industries. Pages 6.
REFLECTIONS OF A STUDENT LEADER
Mark Bibbs, Student Supreme Court Chief Justice and the first student appointed to the UNC
System Board of Governors, thinks blacks need to become politically active on campus. Page
1
OPINION
•The Media Issues Committee notes a recent Daily Tar Heel article that goes in the right
direction but takes the wrong path. Page 4.
•Two readers respond to the Carolina Athletic Association controversy and another takes
on Wonderboy. Page 4.
NEWS
•Jotimalism Professor Chuck Stone lays down the “Canons of Blackness” in a recent lecture.
Page 5.
•Three student entrepreneurs have launched a different kind of pageant -- Miss Black
Carolina. Page 5.
•UNC Housekeepers are appealing to student groups for help and two of them, the Student
Environmental Action Committee and Students for the Advancement of Race Relations, have
accepted. Page 8.
•President Harry S. Truman: Was there a racist behind all the civil rights legislation?
University professor William E. Leuchtenburg talks about it. Page 7.
RAP TRACKS
Black Sheep, the latest Native Tongue faction to rap at the door of success, and former N.W. A
member Ice Cube come correct with two outstanding releases. Page 10.
LIBERATING THE MIND
Blacks Should Seek Afrocentricity, said leaders at a national conference for Black
Cultural Centers. Page 9.
About the Cover
Mainstream muscians like Marky Mark are picked more often than “true” soul stars like
Guy. Page 6.
CORRECnON: The Oct 28 photo ci edncaticHi professcar Frank Brown S3ntained an
«npr,Browj Is fcwmer Dean the School of Education. The Ink regrets the error.
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