MAY, 1963
THE COMPASS
PAGE FIVE
Mrs. Sarah Patton Boyle
Library Week Speaker
Mrs. Sarah Patton Boyle, author
of The Desegregated Heart and wife
of a member of the faculty of the
University of Virginia, spoke on Mon
day, April 23, 1963, at 3p.m. about
her conversion from a “typical” white
Virginian aristocrat to a crusader for
the cause of integration. Mrs. Boyle
spoke at the Lighthouse. This pro
gram was in celebration of National
Library Week (April 22-27).
Before a large number of students
and members of the faculty. Mrs.
Boyle stated at the outset that she
was interested in young people, espe
cially those in “minority” groups
because they constituted the “blue
print of the future.”
Mrs. Boyle then went on to say
that until 1950 (she was then forty-
four years old), she had absorbed
stereotyped ideas concerning Negroes:
they were irresponsible; they were
happy about their condition; they
loved her.
In 1950, George Swanson, a Ne
gro of some stature, applied for ad
mission to the University of Virginia.
Mrs. Boyle said that she favored the
admission of Mr. Swanson to the Uni
versity of Virginia for two reasons;
(1) he was obviously qualified and
(2) the University was founded by
Thomas Jefferson, who, inter alia, be
lieved in the aristocracy of talent and
not aristocracy of birth.
Until 1950, Mrs. Boyle confessed
she had met few cultured and edu
cated Negroes. The Negroes with
whom she had come into contact con
firmed the stereotyped ideas which
constituted the sum of her education
about Negroes. “My thoughts,” she
wrote in her book, became saturated
with the assumption that Negroes be
longed to a lower order of men than
we .... I quickly learned not to
judge them by our standards, but by
a segregated, separate standard . .
One saving grace was her attachment
to Negroes, within the framework of
segregation, based on a happy as
sociation with individual Negroes
in her childhood. She said that she
earnestly believed that Negroes loved
her.
The Swanson case began to awaken
Mrs. Boyle. Because she had been
accustomed to self-analysis, and be
cause she had early learned to “get
to the source” of things, she was able
to understand and articxilate the stages
of her development.
Beginning in 1950, Mrs. Boyle ex
perienced a conversion that was pain
ful and difficult. It is not easy to un
learn what was unconsciously learned.
But, according to Mrs. Boyle, she
tried.
Under the tutelage of T. J. Sellers,
a journalist, Mrs. Boyle slowly, pain
fully, divested herself of the earlier
ideas she held concerning Negroes
and slowly evolved a philosophy of
life revolving around the acceptance
of Negroes as human beings to whom
segregation is anathema. She had
formulated the “larger view of cause
and effect.”
Mrs. Boyle pointed out some other
facts. For instance, she rightfully said
that Negroes also have stereotyped
ideas, especially concerning whites,
which impede understanding.
During the transitional period, Mrs.
Boyle underwent two soul-wracking
shocks. She learned that Negroes did
not love her and that all the kindness
es and attention she received as a
child were not based on genuine effec-
tion.
A second shock came when, be
cause of her unmovable stand in
favor of integration she was for
years ostracized by her closest white
friends and threatened by her ene
mies. She photographed a fiery cross,
trade mark of the Ku Klux Klan,
which was burned near her house.
Through this period of trial, Mrs.
Boyle avowed that she was consoled
by a circle of Negro friends and that
as a result of the threats and cross
burning, the sincerity of her belief
and the completeness of her conver
sion were at least acknowledged by
Biggest- Student-
Council Campaign
The biggest “campaign week run
ning” for officers in the Student Coun
cil was held April 22-27. All of the
candidates running for office in the
Student Council fought hard. They
were busy making platform speeches,
issuing out signs, and posters around
the campus.
The student council sponsored a
debate among the nominees running
for president of the student council.
The nominees running for president
were at the last minute impressive,
fighting hard to influence their vote
among members of the student body.
All were good debaters, and all were
hot. The Student Council was very
proud of the candidates running for
office. Seemingly, all candidates were
quite qualified according to the in
dividual number of votes received.
New and Old
Student Council
Officers Retreat
The old anl new officers of the
Student Council had a retreat at
Williamsburg, Virginia, on April 27.
The purpose for this trip was to have
the program of the Student Govern
ment evaluated for the next year.
The officers also discussed the short
comings and good points of the Stu
dent Council this year and plans for
next year.
New officers who went on the re
treat were: president-elect, Earle
Francis; member-at-large, John Robin
son; secretary, Phillippa Duke; treas
urer, Richard Gore.
The old officers for the year 1962-
63 also retreated along with a repre
sentative from Women’s Government,
Jean Rowlett.
Theatre Workshop
Presents "Overtones"
The Little Theatre Workshop which
consists of students in Play Produc
tion, presented a one-act play as part
of the Fine Arts Festival, on April
4 and 5.
“Overtones”, by Alive Gerstenburg,
is a psychological drama displaying
the subtle overtones of two wealthy
socialites. Harriet is envious of Mar
garet for having married her old
flame, and Margaret is jealous of Har
riet’s wealth and position; each ex
aggerates her status and degree of
happiness; each primitive self battles
as the conversation, seemingly, runs
smooth.
An evaluation period, which in
cluded questions, comments, and
critical analysis, followed. The scen
ery, costumes, and lighting were ef
fectively centered around the theme
of the play.
Participants in the play were Janice
Pierce as Harriet, a cultured woman;
Thelma Howard, Hetty, her primitive
self; Rosa Stokes. Margaret, a cul
tured woman; Jeanette Hawkins,
Maggie, her primitive self. The play
was directed by Bernard Peterson; his
assistants were Dorothy Cotton and
Barbara Vaughan. Stage Managers
were Charles Cherry and Leonard
Slade; Margie Baker served as cos
tumer.
many Negroes who were at first
skeptical.
In 1962, William Morrow and
Company of New York published her
book. In this book, the author tells
in greater detail the story of her
conversion. The third and final sec
tion of the book describes Mrs.
Boyle’s “discovery” of a credo to
sustain her. She found her religious
belief in the trinity of God, Love and
Service.
A question period followed. Prizes
were offered to three students asking
the best questions. The recipients were
Joseph Freeman, James L. Terrell
and George Anderson Jordan.
Mrs. Boyle also attended a lun
cheon given in her honor.
—Frank Pereira
Chariman of election committee. Charles
Cherry, discusses plans with a member.
Citizen of the Year
Award Goes to
Governor
Governor Terry Sanford of North
Carolina was presented the “Citizen
of the Year” Award by the Sixth
District of the Omega Psi Phi Fra
ternity at its annual meeting held at
A&T College, April 26-28.
The Governor was cited for his
stand on improved employment op
portunities for minority groups at the
Awards Program, which was con
ducted on Sunday afternoon follow
ing the close of the regular business
session.
Dr. Walter N. Ridley, a member
of the scholarship commission of the
Fraternity and President of Elizabeth
City State Teachers College, made the
presentation.
Sixth Annual Women's
Week-end Observed
The Women’s Government Associ
ation sponsored its sixth annual
Women’s Week-end on April 27 and
28.
A program emphasizing the theme,
■‘A Vision of Peace,” was carried out
at a panel discussion, in Moore Hall
Auditorium on Saturday morning by
members of the Student Peace Union
from the University of North Caro
lina; a representative of the Women’s
International League for Peace and
Freedom; and a member of the stu
dent body. Panalist were Peter Allen,
Field Secretary Student Peace Union;
Pat Cusik, its president; Maryellen
Bowers, a representative of the
Women’s International League for
Peace and Freedom; and Rena John
son, a senior and honor student of
Elizabeth City.
Dr. Leona Dudley, an educator
with wide experience and professor
of English at the College, was speaker
at the Sunday Vesper Hour.
This year the Executive Committee
is made up of Mary Leavens, presi
dent; Edna Scott, vice-president; Ar-
zie Sutton, treasurer; Viola Garris,
secretary, and Catherine G. Trotman,
assistant secretary.
Compass Elects
Officers
The Compass Staff held its last
meeting of the school session on May
21, at the home of Mrs. E. H. Mit
chell.
The officers elected were: George
Skinner, associate editor; Henri Anne
Daniels, secretary, and Louvellia
Johnson, treasurer.
After the election of offciers, the
group enjoyed refreshments. With the
exception of four members of the
staff, namely Stewart Vick (former
editor-in-chief), John W. Jordan
(associate editor), Frances Moore and
Rosa Stokes, who are to be graduated
May 26, the staff looks forward to a
very successful and prosperous year.
The Roving
Tennis New
This year our tennis team has been
very successful in defeating most of
the teams they have played; for this
reason. Coach John Marshall, Jr. has
been selected to comment on the team.
Dean of Men Marshall was asked the
following questions:
Qua. How many games have been
won, and how many have we lost?
Ans. Well, thus far, we have won
seven and lost two, with two games
remaining to be played.
Que. How do these winnings com
pare to last year’s record?
Ans. Well, last year, we didn’t win
any games, so this year the team has
shown considerable progress. I think
this can be accounted for by the fact
that we have new players with much
experience, in addition to the experi
enced men of last year.
Que. Just who are some of the new
players?
Ans. This year, we have Albert
Richards, a freshman, who was un
defeated in high school in Miami,
Florida. Presently, he is one of the
potential top players in the CIAA.
James Jones, a freshman, has played
in several of the top North Carolina
tennis teams. William Langley has
learned to play since he has been
here, and I think that he has done
an outstanding job of teaching him
self.
Que. What about your old players?
Ans. We have our two veterans,
Bonner Murrell, Captain of the team,
and William Madrey. Both of these
intramural Sports
The intramural teams have had a
wonderful time knocking each other
around this year.
In climax of the exciting intra
mural basketball season, there was a
Big Six Game single Elimination
Tournament. When all the smoke
from the nets cleared, the Bulldogs
Allstars were declared champs by de
feating the Raiders in the finals.
The Feltar managed to cap third
place by lashing the Blockbuster.
There were many outstanding stars
in this sports event, but only the top
performers were grasped for the All-
Tournament team.
The All-Tournament team included
Earlie Brooks from the Raiders;
Alexander Peace, the Feltar; Vernon
Perry, the Bulldog’s Allstars; Na
thaniel Grant, the Blockbuster; and
Phillip Flood from the Bulldogs.
The man who proved most out
standing in the tournament was voted
“The Most Valuable Player.” This
honor went to Earlie Brooks of the
Raiders.
We are now in the heat of the
intramural softball pennant race. The
teams are trying desperately to knock
each other out of the opportunity of
seeing action in the World Series.
The Salamanders, Feltar, and Fac
ulty are tied for first place in the
National League with only two games
remaining for each team.
In the American League, the Phy
sical Education majors are battling
neck and neck with the Klansmen.
Both teams have two games remain
ing.
Good luck to all teams and par
ticipants.
The Intramural Program has ex
panded and progressed under the
leadership of Earl Francis, commis
sioner. It is hoped that the program
will be even more successful next
year with a greater amount of
participation.
Did You Know?
In the finals of the Intramural
Softball Series, the Physical Educa
tions Majors defeated the Feltas by a
score of 6-2. Being a thriller, the
game was an exciting climax for the
college sports year. Most of the male
family was able to participate along
with the faculty.
Sports Eye
s Round-up
boys came through and did well for
the team. Incidentally, for guys who
have never participated in any com-
petititive tennis, and who have only
learned to play since their stay at
S. T. C., one must give credit to
Richard Simpson, Ralph Doland, and
Nathaniel Grant.
I would like to add that Jones and
Richards are the best competitors
of the new men, and if they stay to
gether for four years, they will be
even better.
Que. Will you be losing any of
your players this year?
Ans. No, we will not be losing any
through graduation, and we hope not
through probation.
Que. Do you have any particular
requirements or methods in training
your players.
Ans. We have no particular pro
cedure; in other words, we do not do
any more than the other college
coaches. One thing that I think has
really helped us is the fact that the
players have become more conscious
of team victory rather than individual
victory. I try to make them under
stand more than anything else that
the team needs to win.
Que. Do you plan to take in any
new students next year?
Ans. We cannot get any place stand
ing still; if we can get new players
like Richards and Jones, we will be
making progress. In conclusion, I think
that we will be even better next year.
—Jimmy R. Jenkins
Track Team
Wins Trophy
The “Pirates” placed second in the
3rd Annual Invitational track meet
which was held at Fayetteville State
Teachers College, April 27.
Members of the Elizabeth City
State Teachers squad who were in
first, second, third, or fourth place
are as follows: First winners— Ron
ald Coleman, triple jump; Argle
Whitfield, discus; B, Coleman—R.
Fenderson—B. Samuel—and G. Jor
dan, 440 relay. Second Place—Cole
man, 100 yd. dash; William Matthews,
pole vault; one and two mile, James
T. Jackson; Samuel Berry, high
hurdles and triple jump; Third Place
—G. Jordan, Loyd, A. Whitfield W.
Matthews—mile relay; James T. Jack
son, 440 yd.; Coleman, Samuel, Jor
dan—880 relay; Frederick Smith, 1
mile and 2 mile; R. Coleman, High-
jump. Fourtii Place—Samuel Berry,
broad jump; sprint medley—Jackson,
Samuel, Fenderson, and Smith.
Even though the competition was
keen, the “Pirates” brought home
the second-place trophy.
Congratulations to the track team
and the coach, Mr. L. Stallworth.
Mimi Mays Inspires
Mimi Mays, a sophomore majoring
in elementary education, is an in
spiration to all she meets, especially
her husband, Charles Mays who has
made an outstanding contribution in
athletics in the field of track.
Charles is a senior at Maryland
State College. His travels as a repre
sentative of the United States have
taken him to Trinidad and Japan. He
is scheduled for a trip to Russia. Un
fortunately, Mimi has been unable to
travel with him, but her encourage
ment has inspired him to break many
national and world track records.
They are both from Jersey City,
where they attended the same high
school. On the campus at Elizabeth
City Mimi is a member of the modern
Dance Group and the Ivy Leaf Club
of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
Her future seems well cut out for
her as a wife, a prospective teacher,
and someday, a mother.