Newspapers / Elizabeth City State University … / March 24, 1993, edition 1 / Page 19
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The Compass Wednesday, March 24, 1993 19 Black writers and history celebrated during Feb. teleconference at ECSU By Bruce D. Copeland "If anyone should analyze our people, it should be us," said Terri McMillan, author of Waifjng to Exhale. McMillan was one of five black literary figures who served as panel membersforalivespedal broadcast via satellite viewed by ECSU students on Feb. 3, in Johnson Hall. "Beyond the Dream V: A Celebration of Black History—^The Writers, The Sto-~ ries. The Legac^' was a two-hour conference airing from Washington, D.C. Other panel members were Nikki Giovanni, acclaimed poet and speaker, Houston Baker, President of the Modem Language Association, and novelists Charles Johnson and Marita Golderu Most of the panel's discussion centered around questionsand comments phoned in by students throughout the nation. The fjanel agreed that black literature was, and still is, virtually non-exsistent in our school system. 'There is a complete contrast between my high school education and my college education," said poet Nikki Giovanni who went from a predominately white high school, to Fisk University, a historically black school in Tennessee. Before entering college, panel mem bers were introduced to black literature ‘Why is it that black people can’t analyze each other and maintain?” Nikki Giovanni through the oral tradition of storytelling. "Storytelling is universal," said John- ^son.'"lt has deep African roots." "Inventing and re-inventing possibili ties is sometiung black people are and have been good at," said Golden. A female caller stirred emotions on the panel when she criticized McMilban's bestseller,Waitin^ to Ex hale, for putting down black men and "airing all our (black's) dirty laundry." McMillan explained to the caller that the four women in her novel were fictional characters who described fictional male characters in their lives, although she added, "A fiction is somewhat autobio graphical." "If men don't like the image, they need to change the reality," said Giovanni. "Why is it that black people can't analyze each other and maintain?" 'Tower is important and we must ha ve it," said Baker, stressing the power in black literature. Baker also advocated the ECSU honors memory of Martin Luther King Jr. By Tarsha White a 'This is a day for love, not hate," de clared Dr. Willie Sullivan, during ECSU's Wremoiw honoring the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. held] an. 18, in Moore Hcill Auditorium. Sullivan, who presided at the ceremony, said Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'sbirthday was a day when people "of all religions, ^sses, and stations, put aside their dif ferences to honor the slain civil rights leader." Sullivan introduced the evenf s guest spe^er, W.C. Witherspoon, as "a d^rum niaior for peace." Witherspoon, Chairman of the Pasquatank County Board of Commis^ sioners, praised King as a "man who saw in his enemies and good in all man- wnd, and he urged all mankind to conve toee^er to love one another." Witherspoon said that Dr. King "en- couraged individuals to be the best that thty c^be." And he recalled the dory of Dr. Kin^s famous "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington "Here were blacks and whites togetl^, people of all religions and races holding hanas," said Witherspoon. "Dr. Martin lather King Jr. said that he had a dream ti^t one day down in Alabama, with the yidous racism going on, he hoped his four little children would be able to sit importance of mandating Black litera ture at white universities. "It is important for black students to reach out to one another at white univer sities," said Golden. "Organizing groups of people with a common interest is im portant for individuals who want to make a change, particulary in schools and col leges." Golden and McMillan suggested that students interested in becoming writers should form literary groups to share ideas. "Many black students write, but don't read," said McMillan. "In order to fully appreciate the written word, you must be knowledgeable of it." Johnson added, "Writing is not a pro fession, but a passion." The group discussed the controversial moviebySpikeLee,MalcolmX. Giovanni said she would have had less problems with the movie if it was entitled Malcolm Little instead of Malcolm X. "Spike Lee is the last person who should have tampered with Malcolm's story," Giovanni said, adding that Spike Lee por trayed Malcolm's family as "dufuses." Giovanni said she felt the movie was inaccurate, and the women were treated poorly "as usual." "How can you do a movie about Malcolm X and not discuss his relation ships with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. or Marcus Garvey?" Baker disagreed, saying he enjoyed the movie and felt that Spike did a fine job, considering all that Malcom's life encompased. Other panel members agreed with Baker, noting Spike Lee's importance to black p>eople. Another segment of the conference showed how the relocation of blacks after World War II, The Civil Rights Move ment, and the Black Panther Movement, inspired a whole new generation of black vmters. The panel praised the contributions of black writers like James Baldwin, Ralph Ellison, Gwendolyn Brooks, Toni Morrison and Zora Neal Hurston. "Beyond the Dream V" was dedicated to the memory of Alex Haley, whose last television appearance was on "Beyond the Dream IV." Haley wasalso nam^ by panel members as one of their most influ ential writers. down with other children as brothers." Witherspoon said that King's dreams have yet to become a reality in the coim- trytoday. • j "When we look aroimd the United States,altk)ugh progress hasbeen made, we still have much to do to accomplish the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." Witherepoon called on his listeners to "work together to make his (King's) dream a reality, that this world and na tion would one day rise up to live out the meaning of itscreed. We needa fewblack men who are proud to be people of color. We look to you, young people, for that kind of collective leadership, the kind who will catapult America into living her creed. It's all up to you." , . , King worked for and gave his hfe for humanity," said Witherspoon. He was a man of power and love who looked down on no one. If we are to be true men and women we must love each o^er. We must not let hatred enter our minds and l^arts." , . Following Witherspoon s speech, ECSU Chancellor Dr. Jimmy Jenkins praised the speaker "as a o^t leader," ^d he ur^ students to "diange your self inside, which will lead to a change in the world." The ceremony at ECSU follovved a morning march from the University to Elizabetti Gty town hall where several spea|c^^()gize4,I^, , j Joynlta Robinson Miss ECSU STUDIO II PHOTO PRODUCTIONS O&P ENTERPRISE PHONE: 335-7688 509 Ehringhaus St. Elizabeth City, NC 27909 EUGENE O’NEAL OWNER * PHOTOGRAPHER FRAMING * PORTRAITS * WEDDINGS * COPYING CLASS REUNIONS * FAMILY REUNIONS SILK SCREENING * VIDEO EDITING
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March 24, 1993, edition 1
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