Newspapers / Elizabeth City State University … / Feb. 13, 2002, edition 1 / Page 3
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The Compass Wednesday, February 13, 2002 3 Editorial) African Americans’ Victory Through Struggle Inger Parker Editor Parkerjnger® hotmail.com Many African Americans are angry or ashamed to learn of and discuss their ancestors’ history. Most likely the reason is because Blacks have been humiliated, mistreated, disenfranchised and abused. African Americans have struggled harder and longer than any other race in the world, and sometimes we do not want to be associated with a group of people who have struggled the hardest. We were lynched, hanged, raped, beaten, sold, and dehumanized in so many other ways for over four hundred years and it seems that we are still struggling. Over the years, we have been called lazy, poor readers, disrespectful, ungrateful and un-educated. People poked fun at us and displayed us in an unrealistic fashion in minstrel shows, movies, books, and even cartoons. Whether you are angry or ashamed about your past, over the years you have learned about it because of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the man known as “the Father of Black History.” He was the founder of Study of Negro Life and History He is the man who initiated the move to bring realistic African-American experiences, life, backgrounds, contributions and struggles to the history books so that his people could learn about where they came from and how they became suc cessful. Woodson once said, “If a race has no history, if it has no worthwhile tribula tions, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world and it stands in danger of being exterminated.” It is because of all of our tribulations that we have a history, whether it was negative or positive. Because of our past struggles, tribulations, and embarrass ments, our people will never be extermi nated. Now that we know where we have been; we can see where we are going. Dr. Woodson made it possible for us to learn about Blacks, known and un known, who were killed and sacrificed so that their descendants could live in a better world. However, it seems as though we still lag behind in the socio economic world and, while some of the unfairness is not our fault, a great deal of it is. Have you ever wondered how Blacks like Woodson were able to gain great success? It was because he was his brother’s keeper, meaning that after he became successful in earning his degrees, he gave back to the Black race. Today, many Blacks who are successful tend to look down on the ones who are not as fortunate. Rather than giving back to their communities and alma maters, they have the mentality: “I have mine, now you have to get yours.” On the other hand, when some Blacks become suc cessful, often times they are unfairly ridiculed by their own people who say, “Who do they think they are now, with all of their degrees?” In the not too distant past, there were some blacks were known to mis treat those who were darker complex- ioned. We all know this comes from the slave mentality that we somehow still suffer from in this century; however, its modern term is called racial profiling. Unfortunately, that attitude still exists in some people. There is a constant rivalry between our own people. We refuse speak to each other, praise each other, or support one another. We talk about one another behind our backs. Some Blacks kill each other and are constantly against their own people for reasons that are not rational. This rivalry is often the result of jealousy or insecurities. But why do we put more strain on ourselves by opposing each other? If we continue to not support each other, then everything that Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other great blacks did for us will have been in vain. Every trial, tribulation, heartache, success, achieve ment and glory that our people experi enced will have little value or meaning. If we should be embarrassed or angry about anything, it should not be what happened to us in the past when we had no control, but how cruel we are to each other now that we do have control. It is time now for us to grow up and mature, and to use the lessons of our dark past to guide us toward the brighter tomorrow that we deserve. Each Year the Foundation of the Study of Negro Life and History Has a Theme for Black History Month This Year’s National Theme For Black History Month is: Africans For America: Contributions and Sacrifices That Built This Nation The Compass The Compass is pubhshed by Elizabeth City State University under the direction of the Department of Language, Literature, and Communication, Dr. Velma Blackmon, chairperson. Editor Inger Parker Assistant Editor Antonio Barrow Sports Editor Jonas Pope Arts & Entertainment Editor Clayton Mercer Fashion Editor Adia Keeler Poetry Editor James Hill Advertising Manager Yvonne Ribeiro-Yemofio Photographer Rich Harvey Layout Designers Inger Parker and AntonioB arrow News Writers Robin Reese, McKeith Cordell, Chi’Mur Knight, Enoch Bond, Jessica Barrier, Detra Stith, Kymber Lee Taylor, Kimberly Blackwell, Michael Webb, LaTonya Raynor, Shannon Autry, Cylea Seabrook, Rukiya WiUiams, Nykki Houston, Krystle Lee, Mario Jackson, Shannon Penn, Elizabeth Martins, Heather Malone, LaVonda Whitt Advisors Dr. Emmanuel Ngwainmbi and Mr. Kip Branch Financial Advisor Mr Stephen March Mr. and Mrs. Compass Enoch Bond and Robin Reese Please send your letters to the editor and poetry to ECSU Box 815, Elizabeth City, NC 27909. All letters must include writer’s signature, address, and telephone number. Elizabeth City State University is accredited by the Commission on Col leges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalau reate degrees. QPoetry Corner^ “Black Widow” My heart is a black hole that lures in lost sailors My love is the poisonous venom from the slimy tongue of a rattlesnake. A taste from my sweet lips will leave you dancing in dust. Ash on the ground is what you shall become if you dare to touch my soft bo som. For I am the Black Widow that all men dread I lure you onto my silk web to devour you soul and leave you dead. -Yvonne Ribeiro-Yemofio Young Black Men I know it*s a struggle Day by day Trying to get a job but bossman Looking at your cornrolls instead of your resume Your image Instead of your potential Where’s the justice Where’s my pencil We have been stereotyped, misjudged And consider unequal But I disagree Because God has made us a beautiful people He made no race Better than the other So recognize your power Strive for the best my brother Instead of crime scenes, let’s create a positive scene So our seeds can take witness Instead of selling drugs Let’s open a business Let’s change our train of thought And together we can make a change Let’s see the vision together Because together we can maintain We wanna be hardcore Well, lets be hardcore for righteousness With faith in God We can make our dreams exist Planting a small seed Can make a big different Accumulation of small things Done well - defines excellent Let’s put down the beer bottle Because there’s a negative message in that bottle I’ve been there before I found to better life in the bottle I know some cats Hold guns to protect their homes But let’s dig some knowledge To protect our thrones Let’s stop procrastinating Let’s stop holding back Our youth are being mislead Because of men figures they lack I said men figures not boy figures Not boy figures I wonder how our ancestors would feel If they hear us, calling ourselves niggas We are above that Don’t forget that We have made it too far So don’t take us back Because we’re trying to make it We’re trying to proceed Young black men We can succeed Yes, we can If only we set our hearts and minds Wait on God In due time, grapes will grow on the vine But until then, We have to stand and be strong Rise above our expectations And prove the world wrong -James Hill
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