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THE COMPASS
DECEMBER 12, 1969
THANKS ALOT!!!
The Compass staff has received a number of three
complimentary letters and two cards from its readers,
since the beginning of the 1969 school year. But we
are so enthused and delighted about it, one might think
that we had received hundreds of thousands of letters.
We appreciate all correspondences that we receive,
though they may be critical or complimentary.
Several people have expressed their opinions orally
to us about our improvements and we of course are
glad to hear their words. But when someone takes
time to write a note of compliment, we are just over
whelmed with joy.
Probably the happiest newpaper staff in the country
says “Thanks” to those who have something good or
bad to say about us and thinks enough of us to let us
know. We hope to receive more cards and letters
and are just thrilled at having received complimen
tary ones.
The Editor
SLAVE SEEKERS
by James Johnson
Satan’s disciples were these strangers
who came.
More and many, for search of black game.
Pale, black, green, gray, blue eyed,
speakers of a foreign tongue, power
their only cry.
Bearers of black, red, brown, golden manies
fathered by some great god; never born to stoop
to be equal, a brother.
Oh! for fear and shame.
Thieves, butchers, peddlers of flesh to
my black kingdom came.
By trickery, deception, force, death,
fear they found and took their human game.
Weak, broken, lost of will, stacked body upon body
within the darkened bowels of some wooden
sailing grave, a black Jail;
“To America” 1 heard a voice say we sail.
Guardians of the grave. Jail keep, turn-key
Tell me 1 didn’t see you toss away the key
Capin Capin, tell me true, tell
me you gon’ unchain me, you gon’ set me free
Guardians of the grave, Jailkeep, turn-key
my hate, anger, pain you don’t see,
to my cries of mercy deaf do you be.
Capin’ masta’. Judge executer,
cast me not into slavery; pardoner
set me free.
Judge give me death, in death
free I’ll be;
for in dreams of darkness, with
I’ve seen hell, it lies In America
Capin, the land to which you sail
Dante 1 walked
Unity Among Students
WHAT THIS CAMPUS
REALLY NEEDS
Of all the thing needed on a college campus, unity
among students is one of the most essential needs.
For instance, our college has had fine leadership
in its Student Government Association for the past
several years, but the leaders haven’t been able to
accomplish their goals because of the lack of support
from the students. However, support for our football
and basketball teams has been tremendous! Practically
all the student body loves and cherishes both teams
and follows them as far as they can. As a result of
unity among the athletes, their goals are achieved
with sparkling success. Nevertheless, we as students
have seen what unity can produce but are hesitant to
use it for our own benefit.
Fraternities and Sororities should work together as
a family and stop tearing each other down as if they
are enemies. Freshmen and Sophomores are students
Just as Juniors and Seniors. Their contributions should
not be neglected but accepted and worked into all stu
dent body issues, I'hese things will produce something
wc “all” can be proud of. I suggest using unity to its
fullest extent. It is truly one of our greatest needs,
by Robert J. Williams
Ed. Note: This prose ar
ticle which revealed the
story of the dishearten
ing days in the life of a
Harlem junky comes to
an end. And the author,
Javon Brothers, a Senior
Art major, has given it
a title. It appeared first
in the March 21, 1969
edition of our Compass.
And it appeared in con
secutive issues with a
“?” for its title.
A SPECK
OF DUST
Time seemed to pass
slowly as he sat there
not able to move, not able
to speak or even to ga
ther ration thoughts. The
only thing that kept going
through his mind was
“What’s going to happen
to us now.”
“Oh God: Oh
God....!” he screamed in
his inner thoughts.
“What’s going on in this
world, what’s ^ing to
happen to us now.
Roy dropped on his
knees, folded his hands
and began to pray. “If
there is a God....‘why!
Why! does it have to
be us,... Why must we suf
fer.... Why must we be the
ones to carry the burden
of the curse. Oh...., for
give me if I have doubt
ed your existence. You
see it’s so hard to go on
living. when all the
world s against you, when
every where you turn in
life’s maze, there is no
way out. Oh God, I ask
you why....Why did you
curse us with this un
changeable pla^e. Is it
that you are saving us for
something special? What
is it anyway. Oh damn,
why must life be so evil?
Roy rose and staggered
out of the room. The tem
ple was filled to its ca
pacity and bursting with
exploding flashes. Once
out in the street, the drab
apartment seemed even
duller and the little peo
ple continued to peer out
of their windows. The
same stink of the alleys,
the same blaring music
filled his ears. Not one
seemed to even care or
seemed to be aware that
a great man had been as
sassinated. No, not one
of them gave a damn.
With his head hanging
down, he felt as if he
wanted to scream to the
top of his voice, that
judgement day was com
ing and for many it had
gone.
The flowing traffic
continued to move, traf
fic lights and marked
lights blinked off and on.
The pusher continued to
peddle his dope, the
whore was still on the
corner, the wineo search
ing for that drink, the
junky, oh yes the junky
as a spsck of dust,
should he disappear from
the millions of particles
....no one would even know
or give a damn.
Babies born fat and round
In a world of sin and sor
row
And I was born looking
for tomorrow.
The End
HELP!
I think that the medical department at ECSU needs
help. On? might ask the question why? If a person is
critically hurt, he has to wait too long for the doctor
to come in order that he can be taken to the hospital.
But where is the rescue squad? It’s almost located in
Virginia!! But we, the sick, must wait patiently for its
arrival.
If you get sick, you are taken to the infirmary to
have your blood pressure and temperature checked.
After this check, you are placed in bed and given
plenty of “pain pills”.
The doctor makes a call to the infirmary once a
week and you have to suffer until he comes. Some
times he calls and says that he is unable to make his
call.
I think that a doctor should be available to the stu
dents 24 hours a day in case of emergencies. I also
think that every student should have a course in First
Aid. This would be beneficial to all students in case
their roommates or someone else becomes seriously
ill or has an accident.
In that way, one would be able
until professional help arrived.
to aid the victim
1 think that it is very important that we here at ECSU
try to seek medical help faster when students are des
perately in need. If you have to wait for help and you
have to wait half the night, you could suffer or die.
The Concerned Sufferer
Rena Hackney
Three Phases Of Christmas
THE THREE PHASES OF CHRISTMAS
It’s that time of the year
Christmas Day is almost here.
There is music in the air -
Ring joy everywhere
Ring it deep
Ring it high
Ring it clear.
People smiling; eyes all aglow,
For now’s the time to be jolly
you know.
There is a smile on every face
why can’t it be
like Christmas
ALWAYS?
The world is celebrating with cheer.
Peace on earth, and unto all good will.
For this is the birthday of our king
Lord of Lords,
Mighty Counselor
King Emanuel
Prince of Peace
Jesus, the son of M - A - R - Y,
By Elnora Lewis
THE COMPASS
S State University Newspaper Staff x
X Members: Columbia Scholastic Press Association
:J: Editor-in-Chief :j
Lillian Riggs j:
Associate Editor Denvel Sutton •:
Managing Editor Eugene Spellman
X Sp>orts Editor Walter Winborne ;j
x Circulation Manager Izila Felton
X Feature Editor Roy Farmer
Secretary Velmar Rountree •:
Treasurer Deloris Owens
ji: Photographer Javon Brothers
Proofreader Geraldine Cox •;
; Michael Miller
Exchange Editors
Gwenae Johnson
9 Typists
X Sharon Lawrence Deloris Locke
KaEsbia Phillips
:;:STAFF MEMBERS - John Spencer, Balinda De-
:|:loatch. Jewel Britt, Wanda Taylor, Cleo Lancaster,
Lemuel Eley, Carolyn McKnight, Samuel King, Sunda
Taylor, Glendice Wynn and James Huff
:|:THE COMPASS is published monthly during the
school year by the Elizabeth City State University,
^Elizabeth City, North Carolina 27909,
vEditorial opinions or those of articles are not ne-
gcessarily those of THE COMPASS or the University,