Newspapers / Elizabeth City State University … / Oct. 19, 1989, edition 1 / Page 2
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Page 2 Thursday, October 19,1989 THE OPINION PAGE THE COMPASS Managing Editor Richard Mclntire News Editor Craig Avondo Sports Editor Marl Morris Business Manager Connie Hanchuck Consulting Editor Robin Sawyer Graphics Consulting Diane Patterson Staff Artist Kevin Cruz Production Manager Craig Avondo Circulation Manager Mike Stone Photographers Richard Mclntire Etoria Mace Jackie Rountree Staff Writers Nicholas Allen, Kenneth Bazemore, UchennaBulliner, Daryl Brown, Dwayne Collins, Trina Coleman, Stuart Gilbert, Beverly Johnson. Eric Jones, Florencestine Jones, Paquin McClain, Becky Overton, Sylvia Purvis, Miracle Perry, Jody Riddick, Kimberly Robinson, James Simms, Mike Stone, Tammy Taylor, Vickie Webb-Thomas, Cheryl White Editorial Assistants Mary Bohannon, Etoria Mace, Kevin ■Jody’ Riddick, Santia Hughs, Anna Herring, Fedora Smith Tha Compass Is publshed by Eizabelh City Stale Univefsily students undei the (lirection d the Deptaitmenl of Language. Uteraturd and C3mmunicaSon. Or. Anne Henderson, CKairperson, and Mr. Stephen March, faculty advisa. Tha CompMS wetcomes letters to lie edita. Letters should be sent to ECSO Box 815. Eizabeth Ci^, No 27909. All letters mu6t be signed and include the writer's address and telephone nisnber. They may be edited for length, clarity and taste, as well as for accuracy and grammar. Because of limited space, not al letters can be pubGshed. Downward Spiral in the Music Department Willie Moore Bertie, NO “ A name change would help in getting a job. It would be more readily recognized on a resume. It's no big thing in the name, because its already been changed several times." Talk of ECSU: Should ECSU’s name be changed to UNC-EC? Edmund Roush # - IManteo.NC “To tell the truth, the name should change. It'll help the school grow because the UNC system is recognized nationally. 1 ' It would draw more students and better teachers." Angela Harvey Durham, NO “1 feel there's nothing wrong with the name UNC-EC. It sounds more prestigous and people would perceive the university differently." s Wendy Chamblee Ahoskle,NC “Other things need to be changed rather than the school's name." AS the semester wears on it becomes increasingly evident that there are serious problems in the Music Department. Too many instructors are coming and going, creating a confusing atmosphere for many of the students. The students are not getting a fair shake or even their money’s worth. Three popular and talented instructors have left the depart ment within one year—Dexter Allgood, Willie McElroy, and R.J. Johnson. Students say these instructors had made the biggest and best impression on them and the department. Now they’re gone. In addition, one individual hired as a replacement withdrew the day he was to begin working. It has been said that a power struggle exists in the department and funds are not being placed in the neediest areas. This may or may not be true but one thing is apparent: a problem exists and it must be pinpointed and solved, if the music department is to live up to its potential as a viable, creative force on cam pus. Morale in the Department is reflective of the stock market - in a downward spiral. Apathy is spreading to the point that many students say they feel abandonment. Students feel if ECSU doesn’t give them what they need in their major, why stay? The recording studio, slated to open this past June, failed a state inspection twice, and now cannot open before Janu ary,1990. For students who have enrolled in hopes of gaining experi ence on that equipment, years will have passed without their expectations being realized. The ECSU Marching Band has performed gallantly amid the stomi. Band members displayed courage in facing the green and gold at the Fish Bowl. After that embarrassing situation, many band members were so upset and disappointed that they stopped practicing. Band members met with Chancellor Jenkins twice, seeking a solution to their problems. Hopefully, that meeting will lead to a fresh start that’s badly needed. On behalf of the students, and all others who truly care for this historic institution, let’s straighten this tangled web. Perhaps an investigation or maybe an overhaul is needed. If steps are not taken to solve the dilemma,the students will continue to be the big losers. Let’s work together to find a swift solution so the Music Department can maintain and build on the excellent success it has enjoyed in the past. The Compass welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must be signed, and relevant to issues concerning ECSU students - on a national, state, local or camus level. Letters may be edited for clarity, space, and good taste. Please send letters to Box 815, c/o The Compass, Elizabeth City State University, or bring them by The Compass office. Room 111, Johnson Hall. Guest Columnists ECSU: name reflects pride^ history By Becky Overton Although many people have been more than happy to point out the advantages of changing this univer sity’s name from Elizabeth City State University to The University of North Carolina, I am strongly opposed to this change. Many may ask, “What’s in a name?” My answer to that is: “The history, the heritage, the pride of a people!” Elizabeth City S tate University was founded on March 3, 1891 by the North Carolina General Assembly, establishing a Norman School for training teachers of the Black race to teach in common schools. The Bill was sponsored by Hugh Cale, a Black representative from Pasquotank County. In 1937 the General Assem bly raised from two-year Normal School to a four-year teachers col lege, officially changing the school’s name to Elizabeth City Teachers College. Thus the Assembly added the training of elementary school prin cipals for rural and city schools to the college’s mission. In 1948, The Association of Col leges and Schools, an organization of Black institutions, recognized the college as and “A-rated” institution. In 1961 it was granted full member ship in the Southern Association of College and Schools. The name was officially changed to Elizabeth City State University in 1963 by the Gen eral Assembly. The college first began in rented quarters with 23 students, two faculty members, and a budget of $900. Today, the University has a student body of 1600 plus, 829 acres of land, more than four dozen buildings and a $20 million annual budget. As you can see the history of Eliz abeth City StateUniversity isanaward winning story of smuggle. Elizabeth City State University is looking forward to the future as it moves towards it’s Centennial, and what better way to celebrate it than as Elizabeth City StateUniversity? If the name is changed—in the hearts of its students, former and present—^it will not be a Centennial, but merely the first year celebration of The Univer sity of North Carolina. Elizabeth City State University is one of the few remaining predomi nantly Black institutions. Many Black adolescents do not feel that they have great chances of success. Giving them a chance to attend a predominantly Black institution is giving them a chance to see that they were not meant to lead a life of crime, poverty and drugs. It is giving them a chance to see that there is meaningful life beyond high school, and a chance to see that high school is not the end but the beginning of a life full of the benefits of knowledge. Predominantly Black institutions seem to be the only place where mi nority students can learn that Colum bus did not discover America, but merely visited an unknown land where Native Americans lived. It seems to be the only place where minority stu dents can learn the Blacks fought in the Revolutionary War in what was known as the “Black Regiment,” and that Blacks fought in the Civil War for justice that they themselves did not receive. Moreover, predominantly black institutions seem to be the only place where minority students can learn thatBlacks foughtin both World Wars to save a democracy that could not save them, and which did not grant them equal rights and benefits. I told my friends, “Go to Elizabeth City State University; there you are more than just a number. I told my friends, “Go to Elizabeth City State University where knowledge about your ancestors comes in abundance. And once again I told my friends, “Go to Elizabeth City State University and support one of the few remaining pre dominantly Black institutions. Now all I tell my friends about is the anger that I feel that once again we will be forced to fight and struggle for some thing that is rightfully ours. Blacks: Wake up and smell the coffee; we need to be ready to meet the world By Reggie Carson Afro-Americans have endured constant struggle through the first 25 yards of the hundred yard dash toward total freedom. Today, many Blacks say, “Freedom, I have Freedom.” In the slave sense, my fellow brothers and sisters, yes, we are free. If freedom has been truly obtained why was a Black murdered at Howard Beach? Why was a Black rape victim, Tawana Brawley, persecuted by her rapist, the media and by society? Yes, you say we are free, but the headlines about the Labor Day Greekfest incidents could have been changed from Virginia Beach to Johannesburg, South Africa. Neo- Nazi Skinheads stalk the streets with nothing in their minds but to catch a so called “nigger” and beat his head in. ManyofourB lack brothers ha ve gone off to wars—from the Revolutionary War to Viet Nam—to fight for Amer ica, and returned home from the battle to find no jobs. In 1863, the Afro-American was freed from his bondage under his slave masters through the Emancipation Proclamation. But he wasn’t given the land to make that freedom mean ingful. He was left penniless and illit erate in an unknown land, not know ing where to go or what to do. So, Emancipation for the Negro was free dom—freedom to hunger, freedom to live in the rain, and famine. Emanci pation meant no shelter, only the rain and stars, and no land to cultivate. What it was, was freedom and famine at the same time and it’s a wonder how we taught ourselves how to read and write and speak so well. Some may say, “This is the 80’s and the 90’s are around the comer.” But we can’t speak for tomorrow, my brothers. Do you think the majority who holds onto the everpowerful dol lar is willing to be equal and share half with his Black brothers and sisters? What many of us need to do is wake up and smell the coffee! We are college educated men and women su-iving to face the real world. We need to be mentally equipped to meet it head on instead of having it suiking us head on. These are little things we need to think of. Once you make it over the hump, don’t run ahead quite yet. Stop and help another brother or sister up with you. Uplift them and strive forward along side of them. Too many of us are worried about taking what another brother has, not knowing that the majority has it all and decides how much of his pie that brother can have. Remember, a suc cessful brother is only as successful as the Black community around him. If a brother has a Mercedes-Benz, and a' $200,000 home and locks himself and his mind away from the ghetto then he’s not successful; he’s blind, be cause he forgot. And forgetting where you came from is exactly what the majority wants us to do. This land of America is just as much ours as it is the White brother and sisters. Before the majestic words of the Declaration of Independence were written by Thomas Jefferson, we were here; before the beautiful words of the Star Spangled Banner were written, we were here. So keep on keeping on and forever sing “We Shall Overcome.” COLLEGE PRESS SERVICE D ' HOW 6RAPUAL k CHAJ'it&E. (DEPENDS OM ... Dear Liz, Help! I have a problem with a domineering boyfriend named Eric. He’s always trying to tell me what to do, when to do it and how to do it. My parents had control before college, now I want to be in control of my decisions. But my boyfriend thinks he knows best I’ve tried talking to him but he says he’s just trying to show me the way. How can I get it across to him that I love him but 1 want to make my own decisions? What can I do? Controlled Love Dear Controlled: You need to take the “proverbial bull by the horns” Set him down and express how much his domineering behavior bothers you. Love is a shar ing of emotions, hfestyles and fi nances. This means you may be help ful in solving his problems and he yours; however, neither of you must take total responsibility for the others’ welfare. Love is learning to grow and develop together and he must allow you the freedom to grow, too. If you truly love each other you have some thing wonderful to build on. Show him a copy of this and talk! Liz Dear Liz, I have been dating Wanda for 2 years and we are very close. My problem is that I can’t keep my hands off her. I really love her and want to make love to her but she is still fight ing me. How can I show her that I aw serious and will take care of her? I’ni getting tired of cold showers. And all my buddies are doing it; why can’t I? Hurting Harvey Dear Hurting Harvey, Making love isn’t everything. you love her you will wait until she is emotionally ready. So when you go to see her, zip you hands off and leave them in the glove compartment of your car. This way yoiu" hands will stay clear of her hot spots and it will reduce the chance of lovemaking. You* may also find the library helpful in information relating to this serious, problem and how to handle it! Liz
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