The Compass Tuesday, December 7,1993 3
Editorial
A Christmas Message
In his moving address to Elizabeth City State University during the
Fall Candlelighting ceremony, the Rev. Joseph Lowery challenged stu
dents to "be proud of v^ho you are, whether you are bla^, yellow, brown
or white. You're made in the image of God and God is all those colors and
some others we don't even know about."
Dr. Lowery went on to point out that although there is racial conflict in
the nation and the world, people should remember that Reginald
Denny—the white trucker who was attacked by a mob in Los Angeles
following the the acquittal of the policemen in ^e Rodney King case—
was rescued by black residents, who saved his life after learning of his
plight on TV.
"And do not forget," E>r. Lowery added, "that it when the police were
beating Rodney King it was a white man who turned the camera."
I>. Lowery's point, of the interdependence of races in an increasingly
multiculturd, multiracial society, is especially rdevant to ELizabeth Qty
State University at a time when a series of local news stories about the
University has implied that there is "racial tension" on campus. In one
article the reporter used a student's survey of about 40 black students to
imply that black students in general don't want white students to attend
ELizabeth Qty State University. The same reporter, by quoting a few
white students, created the impression that some white students feel
imwelcome on the campus. This is not only bad journalism, it also
presents an unfair picture of our campus, where race relations are much
better than on many other campuses and areas of the country.
At Elizabeth Qty State University, black and white students are able
to work and study together in a spirit of harmony that far exceeds the
atmosphere at many other schools. Although improvements can still be
made, especially in the area of greater participation by white students in
extra-curricular events and activities, we resent media coverage that
creates an unfair portrait of ELizabeth City State University.
We urge all members of the Elizabeth Qty State Univasity family to
recognize our interdependence as we approach this Christmas season.
Only by working together in a spirit of unity, can we can live up to the
true spirit and meaning of Christmas.
Elizabeth Qty State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate degrees.
Two thousand copies of this publication were printed at 35 cents per copy.
Letters
The Compass
News Edttor ■
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Consulting Editor
Graphics Consultant •
Diane Patterson
Business Manager •
Margaret Smith
Photographers •
Lavenia Dameron, Tarstia White.
Staff Writers-
Gloria Alexander, Bnjce Copeland,
Keisha Gary, Melanie Harrington,
Keischa Holley, Lynn Jordan, Carlos
McCormick, Ursula McMillion, Michael
Myrick, Tarik Scott, Eric Skinner,
R^ney Stallings, ReginaM Worlds.
The Compass is published by Eizabeth City State UnK/ersity students underthe direction of the
Department of Language, Literature and ComnrKinication, Or. Anne Henderson, Chairperson,
and Mr. Stephen March, faculty advisor.
THECoMPASswekxxnes letterBtotheeditor.Lettersshouldbe8enttoECSUBox815,Eizabeth
City, NC27909. All letters must besignedandindude the writer'saddress and telephone number.
They may be edited for length, clarity, and taste, as wel as accuracy and grammar. Because of
imit^ space, not all letters can be pubished.
Lavenia Dameron
Reginakl Worids
Tim Smith
Tarsha White
Craig Avondo
Advertising Manager -
Jacques Rouse
Production Manager-
Paula Armstrong
EGSU should allow
cx)-ed dorm visitation
To The EditOK
ECSU should allow overnight co-ed
visitations in the dorms. Students are
mature enough to accept company over
night and it would eliminate tfie prob
lems of people aieaking into the other
dorms. The students on campus should
be treated as yoving men and wonr»en.
They ^ould have the right to spend the
night at their boyfriend or girlfriends'
dorm. It gives them more time to be
together and enjoy themselves, especially
if that friend is from out of town.
Allowing co-ed visitation could save
them the time and effort from driving the
long distance, and give students the ex
perience of how it feels to live with the
opposite sex. The guy can see how the girl
carries herself and maybe it could change
the way he carries himself. Co-ed visita
tion would also eliminate the problem of
the students sneaking into the opposite
sex's dorms. That is a big problem and it
could be solved if you will allow co-ed
visitations. Once the guy or girl is caught
during this, they are put on academic
probation and suspended for a few days.
I feel the University should have co^
visitations because it gives students a
sense of responsibility and lets us feel
mature.
Keisha Drew
Residents of inner city
should face problems
To The Editor
The black urban community continues
to face financial problenns, a high crime
rate and people fighting among each
other. The govenment seems to lack in
terest in the issues and problems of the
inner city. This lack of interest compli
cates the problem, thus making it worse.
The government needs to take a closer
look at its priorities. Instead of sending
millions of dollars in financial aid over
seas, the money should be invested in the
inner city. It does not make sense that we
support other countries but not support
ourselves.
The money tt>e government spends
overseas could tie used to hire more po
lice officers. The crime rate in the inner
city is extremely high. The police
forcecannotmaintaincontrolover the vio
lence and senseless crimes. The police
force needs to be enlarged.
The police cannot stop crime all to
gether, but with a larger police force they
can fwovide more protection.
But the biggest problem the irmer dty
faces is itself. We are slowly bringing
about our own downfall. We continue to
kill and ^eal from one another. By doing
this we fit the stereotypes that society has
labeled us with. We need to come to
gether to solve these problems. If we
cannot do this we will never receive help.
You carmot expect to receive help if you
do not help yourself.
Leslie Brown
Poetry
A Lost Love
When you lose a loved one
Your heart aches with sorrow and
gri^-
It feels as though someone is
just pounding andpounding onyour
chest.
You begin to reminisce over the little
things
she did to make you care for her:
how a bright smile, a warm laugh
may have been the silver lining on
acloudy day.
You remember the sparkle in his .
eyes,
andall the little thingsyoumay have
taken for granted
while he was with you.
What else canyou do but cherish the
times
you had together?
And try not to look back on the past
too much
because we carmot live in the past.
It is gone forever.
Leslie Brown