The Compass Thursday, February 15, 2001 3
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We Must Not Forget Their Struggle
Stacy Brock
b_stacy@mailexcite.com
Black Americans, strong, proud and free from oppression are products of a
strong and earlier group of Blacks who fought and died so that we could have
well deserved human rights that we now exercise.
What this means is that as Black Americans, we are obliged to show our
ancestors gratitude, something we don't do by exchanging an education for a
"thug life" image, or by infesting our neighborhoods with drugs and diseases.
Doing drugs and "thuggin" are for people who are weak; we come from a race
of people who were strong.
We are the descendants of men and women who loved and respected each
other too much to cause harm to each other's bodies. Brothers and sisters, we
don't show our gratitude by bringing home sexually transmitted diseases that
harm our loved ones and help kill off our race. The way in which we can and
should thank our ancestors is by recognizing and celebrating their struggles
and by also contributing to the growth and well being of our race.
We must educate ourselves and others in our communities. We must nurture
and support our children. We must encourage them to support one another.
And last, but not least, we should participate in our democracy.
For those of us who find it difficult to recognize and celebrate our ancestors,
remember that you don't have human rights, an education or a job because
you're human, intelligent or because of who you know, but because people
marched, people were beaten and people were lynched.
To forget the struggle of our ancestors is to forget their fight, which won us
freedom and equality. In 2001, the battle is not over. We're still marching to be
seen and we're still fighting against human injustice. But, because we know
how those who came before us pulled us through, we know that with the whole
armor of God, courage and persistence we're equipped to win the continued
struggle of being Black in America.
CPlease send your poetry, Dear
Vike questions and Letters to the ^
Editor today to The Compass, J
Campus Box 815 or bring to
Room 111 in Johnson Hall.
The Compass
The Compass is published by Elizabeth City State University students under the
direction of the Department of Language, Literature and Communication, Dr. Velma
Blackmon, chairperson.
Editor Stacy Brock
Assistant Editor Amanda Parker
Copy Editor Inger Parker
Arts & Entertainment Editor Michael Fournier
Sports Writers Derek Lyons, Shannon Penn
Photograhers Staff
Office iVlanager Detra Stith
Advertising Manager Brian Gray
Layout Designers Stacy Brock, Amanda Parker
Staff writers Antonio Barrow, Abrian Carter, Sharon
Gorgani, ElizabethMartins Chi’Mur Knight
Heather Malone, James Polk, Chrishanda
Rodgers LaQuisha Tisdal
Advisor Dr. Ngwainmbi
The Compass welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be sent to ECSU
Box 815, Elizabeth City, NC 27909. All letters must be signed and Include the
writer's address and telephone number. Ttiey may be edited for length, clarity,
and taste as well as accuracy and grammar. Because of limited space, not all
letters can be published.
Twenty-two hundred copies of this publication were printed on recycled paper at a cost of 45c each.
Letters
Response to: “Community
Neglects ECSU,” Dec. 2000
I am writing in concern of your recent article in The Compass entitled, "Com
munity Neglects ECSU." It saddens me to realize the view of ECSU's student
body in relation to the local community.
I am a 1995 graduate of Elizabeth City State University with a Bachelor's of Art
degree in Art. Currently, I am self-employed as a Certified Massage Therapist. I
own a private office and I have been in business for two years. Most importantly,
I am a "community person" in every aspect.
There's no question about how valuable the University is to this entire north
eastern North Carolina region. The history is extremely remarkable. The suc
cesses are threefold and still rising. The awareness of it all is well known. Of
course, the objective would be to improve it even more and to make more of an
impact in the community. Indeed, the support of the local community is needed
to assist in the growth of the University.
My questions are: What are the efforts of the student body? Is the lack of
support in all areas of the University or just on an economical basis? Does the
University give positive feedback?
More community support can happen with more effort. I don't feel that the
community is well informed of the University's services and activities. Yes,
announcements are made via newspaper, WRVS and Channel 43. Honestly, the
majority of the community you need to reach are not feeling the affects of these
mediums. Where is the footwork? I rarely see posters, hear announcements in
my church or at my organizations' meetings or receive information at my busi
ness. What is the criteria of becoming a supporter of the University other than
giving pledges and attending your major fundraising activities? To be frank,
that's played out. The commur\ity feels it's not getting its money worth. That's
how my colleagues and I feel. How are we to feel otherwise considering we go to
the games anticipating a loss due to the last performances, but we still try to
"keep hope alive." And, not to mention the financial loss for the disappointment.
I assume that to be one reason why local merchants feel they can't turn a profit
selling the University's paraphernalia.
I am an active member of the alumni association and would like nothing more
than the University to be a compelling force in the commimity. I feel that it is
surely possible, but it will take determination, organization and motivation. For
instance, I am a member and officer of several organizations and we would love
for a member of the University family to attend our meetings and inform us of
how we can assist.
I have formally and informally inquired on several occasions about how I can
be of service to the University. I am a minority female and small business owner
with a dedication to health. I specialize in alternative health and natural thera
pies, which include massage therapy. The benefit of massage to the muscle
system alone is beyond remarkable. Who can benefit from it more than athletes?
I have received no positive feedback.
I attended the Laser Light show at the Planetarium over the holidays and was
accomparued by out of town quests. There was nothing in the show that repre
sented the African-American culture, yet it is a historically black college.
The University's commtmication system is not "people friendly." I have called
on a numerous occasions and could not get a live body on the phone. That's not
good for someone who is interested in supporting.
Last but not the least, what is the University doing to inform the community of
its plans and goals since the passing of the Bond Referendum? We were well
informed to receive our yes vote. Now what? These are issues the community
wants to know.
All these things play an important part in gaining and keeping the trust,
dedication and support of conmtunity, especially the African-American commu-
ruty.
I am not badgering the University, and I have not fallen short in trying to offer
my support at the levels of my abilities. I want to be well informed of the
"happenings" at the University, and I want to support the University in any way
I can. However, I expect the University to better inform and support the commu
nity as well.
Elizabeth City State University
is accredited by the Commissipn on Ccjlleges of the Southern Association
of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate degrees.
333953 Jackie Bright, CMT