Newspapers / Elizabeth City State University … / May 5, 1989, edition 1 / Page 9
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Pholo by Dr. Anne Henderson Standing from left to right are Piciwickeans: Wiliian Grant, Tom Williams. Sue Emmert, Lynn Chapman, Robin Sawyer and Richard Mclntire. Seated from left to right are: Donna Gregory, Lisa Gregory, and Janis McDernx)tt. These individuals were chosen as charter members in ECSU's newest honor society and were inducted into the organization December 1,1988. Abernathy addresses ECSU family “My mother taught me there is iomething in your name,” The Rev. Pr. Ralph Abernathy told the ECSU EamUy. “Never bring dishonor to your name.” Abernathy’s comments came dur ing the University’s Founder’s Day l^rogram, March 3rd, in Moore Hall. ^bemathy, an internationally ac- :laimed leader in the struggle for civil ights, was the featured speaker for the program. “When 1 was about four years old [ climbed up on a stool and said to nyself, ‘Ralph Abernathy, you are a jood-lookingchild,”’ said Abernathy, JO the delight of the audience. “And 1 aid to myself, ‘I am going to be somebody.’” Abnerathy added, “You have to relieve in yourself and your dignity.” During his speech, Abernathy fo cused on racism, poverty, black pride ind the economics of oppression “If i^ou have never been black and never [)een poor, you don’t know nothing about problems facing we poor Jeople,” he said. “We will not be able o do anything until we get our hands )n some money.” ‘ Abernathy said racism and eco- lomics are interconnected, adding that ‘there is no black president of a bank ‘n Elizabeth City. “Racism is catching,” he said. “I vant you to catch hold of racism and ^nd it. Build a bridge across thechasm of racism.” “I have been jailed 44 times, never "or beating my wife, but simply be- 'ause I wanted freedom for all peoples )f the U.S. and the world.” Abernathy, who was with Martin -uther King when he was shot, and leld King in his arms as he died, )rganized the Montgomery Bus Boy- !ott in 1956, along with King. The *>oycoU marked the beginning of America’s postwar Civil Rights movement. “Martin Luther King said to me, ■Take these people across Jordan to Canan. ’ But we have not gotten there. Anytime the stale of Louisiana can iend a former grandragon to the state legislature something is wrong. Un- ‘fess racism dies in America, democ- j^cy cannot Hve. ’ “I swear with all my hope and *X)wer, I’m going to stay on the case indkeepbuilding bridges,” Abernathy declared. Abernathy, an Alabama native, founded the Southern Christian Lead ership Conference in 1957. He also lead the poor people’s campaign, which resulted in legislation that pro vided food stamps, health care, day care centers and programs for the VALUABLE COUPON TWO PIZZAS $099 Plus Tax 2 LARGE SIZE PIZZAS CHEESE & 1 ITEM Extra items available at extra cost. Valid with coupon at Elizabeth City Little Caesars. One coupon per customer please. 338-2241 ELIZABETH CITY 1505 W. Ehringhaus St. ®1986 Little Caebar Enterprises, Inc Pickwick Society formed to honor English majors Pickwick Society president Richard Mclntire accepts a hand drawn portrait of Charles Dickens from English jepartrnent chairperson Dr. Anne Henderson. The drawing was produced by art instructor Dr. Vincent Gregorio for the society. ( For more on the ‘Pickwickean’ organization , see story at right.) Photo by Flobln Sawyer By Lisa Gregory A new species of honor student is gracing the halls of ECSU: they are known as “Pickwicks.” “The Pickwick Society was formed to honor the majors of the Language, Literature, and Communication De partment who have demonstrated great academic and service performance and have shown a high potential for mak ing significant contributions within the community,” said Dr. Anne Hen derson, Chairperson of the LLC De partment and advisor of the Pickwick Society. Members of the society must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 and be of sophomore status. To mark the founding of the Pick wick society. Dr. Vincent De Grego rio, of ECSU’s Art Department, composed a pencil portrait of Charles Dickens to be hung on the wall of the Pickwick Society meeting room in Johnson Hall. The term “Pickwick” comes from \For English majors it's an honor they can be proud of.' Janis McDermott the fictional character Mr. Pickwick, who first appeared in the literature of English author Charles Dickens. Charter members of the society were inducted December 1, 1988. At this time fourteen English majors were publicly acknowledged as outstand ing students for their excellence in academics as well as their social en deavors. Many of the inductees expressed great pride in being a part of LLC’s honor society. “For English majors it’s an honor they can be proud of,” said Janis McDermott, treasurer-elecL “I would love to see it become productive enough in the near future to publish its own literary publication, incorporating the talents of students who are out standing in poetry, prose, drama, art, and photography.” Graduating senior member Lynne Chapman said the honor society gives ECSU’s English majors an orga nization which will allow them “to pool their creativity.” “Fot a small department such as LLC, I think it speaks highly of the concern shown by members of the department for students who excel in English.” said Vice-President elect Robin Sawyer. “People like Dr. (Anne) Hender son and Dr. (Robert) Thome are dedi cated to the concept of an honor so ciety for English majors in which students would be given an oppor tunity to gain additional experiences other than the standard classroom curriculum,” Sawyer added. New organizations making students proud to be black By Sylvia Purvis Black by Popular Demand, Black to the Future, Black by Nature Proud By Choice. Everyday atECSU, these slogans appear, proudly displayed on students’ T-shirts. “They are a sign of awareness,” saysseniorSamyaJohnson. “Itmakes you proud to say you’re black.” Freshman Ursula McMillion said black pride was a major factor in her decision to launch the school’s first chapter of the National Association for The Advancement of Colored People. Founded in the first week of the spring semester, the group now has more than 50 members. The chapter will form committees forpolitical action, legal redress, youth work, and community activity, “to give the black youth recreational activities,“ McMillion said. The chap ter will also establish tutorial pro grams, and general studies in black history. McMillion said the NAACP was founded in 1909 and “was the first black organization.” The organization is now celebrat ing its 80th anniversary. “I hope the students get involved because social organizations such as this not only give identity, but also bring awareness into the black com munity, and a positive reaction from the administration,” McMillion said. “We’re not trying lo start an uprising but an uplifting.” McMillion said she expects the local chapter of NAACP will be a success. “You have to think positive,” she said. “I will give 200%. I am an ticipating going to the state regionals and national conferences.” Another ECSU student, Wylia Slade, is currently working on es tablishing another black organization, “African-American Student Coali tion,” whose main purpose will be “to get black students more involved in their cultural heritage,” according lo Slade. “There are a lot of students on campus unaware, and we need to prepare them for future roads, be cause here we don’t prepare African American students for the real world,” Slade said. “This is a white man’s world, let’s face it,” she continued. “When we get out in the real world, the white man will kick us in the ass, especially if we’re not prepared.” Slade said the organization will sponsor sp>eakers and black history forums “that will give us a history of our people.” Slade said that although she was already a memberof the NAACP, she lost faith in the organization a long time ago “when it elected a white president. If we are going to accom plish anything, we need to breakaway from the white man and use our own leaders, our own ideas, and our own money,” Slade added. elderly. Abernathy has degrees from Al abama State University, Atlanta Uni versity, Morehouse College, Allen University, and Kalamazoo College in Michigan. He is a member of numerous organizations, including the NAACP. % Tarheel Distributing Co. of Elizabeth City, inc. Rt. 6 Perkins Road, Elizabeth City, NC 27909 (919) 335-2809
Elizabeth City State University Student Newspaper
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May 5, 1989, edition 1
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