6 The Compass Wednesday, March 4, 1998
King praised for
efforts to change
the human heart
Franklin G. Scou. Jr. photo
Kim Carter and Leone Rachel study the works of Persis Jennings and J. Howard
Joiinson at the Seventh Annual African Art Exhibit, which opened Feb. 6 in the Art
Gallery at Johnson Hall. The event was one of many to celebrate Black History Month
on campus.
Commentary:
Black people divided
by social status, wealth
by Kelvin Walston
Black people, why cio we not under
stand our differences? We will disagree
on many topics. We will agree on many
topics. But why do we allow our dif
ferences to disrupt the peace and love
between us?
My religion may be this. Your reli
gion may be that. There are various
types of religions. What is religion?
Religion is a systematic approach to
find your purpose and live peacefully
with yourself. Why do we allow our
religious beliefs to divide us?
Division is prevalent within the black
community here and abroad. If an in
dividual possesses wealth and another
individual does not, that should not
divide us. But social class status keeps
us divided. If you're in the so-called
"rich class," and I'm in the so-called
poor class," why do we allow money
to divide us from one another?
If 1 am unable to read and write and
you are capable, teach me. Why should
we allow ourselves to be divided be
cause of fundamental basics? Remem
ber, we are divided because of our per
sonal beliefs. If we are not able to place
our different beliefs aside so we can
focus on our common beliefs, then we
continue to be dis-unified.
If my religion is this and your reli
gion is that, we should focus on the
commonalities of both religions. Once
we focus on our commonalities, we
can understand each other's religion
and respect it. Instead of arguing whose
religion is the best, we should discuss
the best commonalities within both re
ligions to liberate black people.
Monetary possession is the root of
all evil. If you, a brother/sister, are
wealthy, please do not disassociate
yourself from me because I'm poor.
Please take the energy and time so that
I can become wealthy.
Please don't criticize me because I'm
not rich and wealthy. Do not allow your
wealth to divide you from your brother
and sister. I do not understand why
you are insisting that I am the lesser
person because I am not wealthy like
youself.
If I can't read and write, please don't
chastise me. Please show me how to
read and write. If I can't speak correct
grammar, please do not disassociate
yourself from me. If you can speak cor
rect grammar, I plead, please teach me
now. Remember, Black People, we pos
sess many different talents and gifts. If
you're in a good position to teach an
other to become successful, please do
so.
If your religions are different, focus
on the commonalities. If you're
wealthy, develop a systematic program
to teach others to become successful
like youself. If I am unable to read and
write, please teach me how or guide
me to a library and help me learn. Each
one: teach one. Unified.
by Angela Burrus
"People called him an African-
American and a dreamer, but before
Martin Luther King Jr. was a dreamer
or a civil rights leader, he was a be
liever—a Christian," said the Rev.
Ricky Banks, at the Annual Martin
Luther King, Jr. Day Assembly on Jan.
18.
Banks, pastor of Stephens Baptist
Church, was the guest speaker for the
program, held inside of the Pasquotank
County Courthouse. About fifty fac
ulty members, staff and students
walked from ECSU, through a cold,
drizzling rain, to attend the program.
Banks spoke of King's efforts to
change the hearts of mankind through
redemption.
"King's mission is that the world
would repent," he said. "If mankind
changes his heart and repents, then ev
eryone would have to treat everybody
else the same."
Banks also focused on King's strength
and sacrifices in accomplishing his
dream.
"King had the ability to awake from
his sleep in order to make his dream a
reality," said Banks. "He had to for
sake his family and many luxuries just
to make sure he carried out his dream
without waiting for anyone. Not only
did he not wait for anyone, he was on
the frontline of the battlefield."
Banks said that King's spiritual in
sight helped him through most of his
trials and tribulations.
"In the midst of vicious dogs, water
hoses, enemies and prison. King never
backed down," said Bartks. "He knew
if God was for him, than that was more
than the whole world against him."
Banks also discussed how racial
prejudices still exist today. He de
scribed his experience at a local restau-
When one says one love I want
to say soul
for my three hemispheres
body soul and spirit
come to love my heart like a
dream
My woman for we are as one
I see through her bosom and it
captivates
rant when a family of a different race
was served appetizers prior to their
meal while the people at his table "were
served nothing." When Banks ap
proached the manager to ask if the res
taurant had a problem serving Afri
can-American customers, the manager
offered his family a free lunch. Banks,
however, refused the manager's offer,
declaring that people can not settle for
"a free lunch" anymore.
Banks ended his speech by express
ing how important it is for local dream
ers to come "to the frontline of the
battlefield" in order to make Elizabeth
City worth living in.
"If our hearts are right, if our minds
are right, if our attitudes are right, then
Elizabeth City will be right," Banks
said.
Others at the assembly praised the
achievements of the slain civil rights
leader at the assembly.
ECSU Chancellor Dr. Mickey Bumim
described King as a "giant" and "a
man of great courage who saw it as
taking more courage to love your en
emies and to turn the other cheek."
Mayor Rick Gardner spoke of the
success of King's non-violent strategy
and encouraged the audience to take
action if they wanted to improve the
community.
Elizabeth City Councilman Jimmy
Sutton said he was impressed by the
turnout of students who participated
in the march despite the rain and cold
weather.
"It says that tomorrow, you people
will be where we are today," said
Sutton.
The program honoring the slain civil
rights leader was moderated by Eliza
beth City councilman A.C. Robinson
Jr. The event ended with song and
prayer.
my sense of oneness
our love revolutionizes me
love to pain, of my love
soft and dirty
from the tribe of Africa
the cradle of civilization
let me suck of your milk
one love, one love
Atiba^^ggins
Poetry
One Love