AROUND THE CAMPUS
THE COMPASS - SPRING 2008 5
African American Contribution To America
Bj: Niya Jones
ECSU Holds Traditional M.L. King, Jr. March
Bj; Arquirah Shaipless
Since the beginning of the Dutch slave
trade, African Americans, were destined
to make contribution to America. Their
hard work in the fields helped establish
the economy and world market from
their blood sweat and tears. Although the
voice of the dead was never heard, their
life was still written after their time. We
should be able to lesirn from the different
contributions that African Americans
made starting with Harriet Tubman and
her great escapes to the Underground
Railroad displaying bravery and loyalty,
and slaves in their huts making music for
peace of mind which in modern day can
be considered hip hop. Regardless of how
some over look the contributions, think,
if African Americans had never came to
America what would it be like? As the time
line continues to grow African Americans
still use the teachings of others to move
forward, among them, W.E.B. Dubois
and Booker T. Washington. Washington
believed African Americans should develop
a mentality of work force environment and
Dubois believed that we should grow and
develop higher education for the future
of all Americans. When these idejis began
to reach the community others began to
leam and make use of their knowledge and
built stepping stones for others. African
Americans began to go to college, trade
schools and community colleges and create
opportunities for themselves. The efforts
began a domino effect; African American
people began to come out the shadows and
believe in themselves and the thought of
freedom began to ring.
One year ago a student was shot three
times on the campus of Elizabeth City State
University at 2:30 a. m, outside of Wamack
Hall, an ECSU residence hall after an
altercation off campus.
“This campus has gotten more violent
each year," says William Balance, a graduating
senior.
Jerard Patterson wais arrested after turning
himself into local authorities. Patterson was
not a student nor affiliated with Elizabeth
City State University.
The altercation started at local sports bju",
Level’s, in downtown Elizabeth City then
moved to the campus of ECSU. The student
was shot three times in the parking lot
outside of a residence hall.
Since that time substantial changes have
occurred on campus, especially in the wake
of shooting at Virginia Tech last spring.
Emergency boxes, with a blue glowing light
for easy notice, were installed on campus
giving students a direct line to security
Men and womain began to feel the gap
and take initiative to do great things and
stjuid up for the rights of every mcin,
Opportimity began to knock, people
wanted to be something. Martin Luther
King Jr., Rosa Pcirks, and memorable
figiu’es of the Civil rights movement began
to advocate cind speak out for the rights
of men woman of color. There were great
court cases of Plessey vs. Ferguson, and
Brown vs. the Bocird of Education, which
said separate but equal was ok but then
was over turned. Before those figures
there were himdreds of other voices who
just weren’t heard, cind sometimes over
looked. There were luminaries such as
George Washington Ccirver, who created
over five hundred agricultural products
cind made way for other black inventors;
Bei^amin Banneker, who made a clock
out of wood; writers like Sojourner
Truth, Hcirriet Jacobs, and Alexander
Crummel. The contributions of writers,
inventors, musicians, and advocates for
the African American society have created
a history. TTieir knowledge experience
and testimonies have shaped American
into a diverse and imique society. Their
contributions have allowed the presence
of African Americans to be established
and recognized as equal and capable of
accomplishing the many occupations that
American society has to offer. Yet, at the
same time they have spoken out about
how no one is greater than the next and
if America is a free country then every
person should be accepted and free to
achieve what life has to offer.
personnel.
“I think they are very convenient,
but I don’t think there are enough of
them,” says Shomonic Willijmis, an ECSU
Communications major.
The boxes use conununications equipment
that lets security personnel know the
location of the call box you’re using so they
can find you.
ECSU placed a security camera system
around campus and the camercis helped
identify the shooter.
According to the police chief of Elizabeth
City State University’s police department the
cameras have been very helpful in catching
suspects on Ccimpus illegally.
Students are notified of incidents on
campus by phone and e-mail Other
precautions are also being taken.
“ I eim glad to know more safety precautions
are being taken,” says Brian Houston, the
legal guardian of an ECSU student.
On January 21, the annual Martin Luther
King Jr. march started at the G.R. Litde Li
brary on the campus of Elizabeth City State
University. Students, faculty, and the Eliza
beth City community gathered to celebrate
MLK day
People held signs and some sang during
the walk that ended at Cornerstone Mis
sionary Baptist Church. The ceremony took
place at the chxu-ch where several people
participated and the District Court judge
of the first judicial district, NC Eula E. Reid
was the guest speaker.
Jasper Fleming the president, ECSU
Chapter of NAACP stated that the march
was very successful because this Wcis the first
year there was a woman speaker. She opened
the ears of the community as well as the stu
dents.
TTie annual march started in 1963. Ac
cording, to Mary Berry, each year it grows
larger and larger because it is relevant for
not just the blacks but America in general.
Berry said that the student activity depart
ment of ECSU strives to get the community,
church, and the NAACP involved each year.
It is not just for the students. This day allows
the people to come together more to sup
port the cause and that is why it has not lost
its true meaning.
In addition, the leaders are involved in the
March and ceremony. The city officials are
involved and have supported the march in
the past.
“The march was effective because when
I think of the NAACP and the people that
strive to keep MLK dream alive I think of the
rights for all people not just African Ameri
cans," said Fleming.
The march and ceremony are to let the
people know that MLK’s dream is still alive
and we are still struggling with some of the
same issues that MLK struggled with back
when he was fighting for equal opportunity.
“ My purpose in participating in the march
was to give the honor to Dr Martin Luther
King Jr and I think it is important to stand
up for something and I think it was a good
cause to stand for."
Fleming encouraged all people to come
and listen to the speaker because, “we do it
all for a reason.”
The march and ceremony are planned to
be held again next year.
This yecir the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is celebrating 100 years of op
eration. It is one of the organizations in the vanguard of bringing about
change, social justice and progressive thinking on college campuses
nationwide. This piece salutes the organization’s outstanding achieve
ments. We wish them well.
By . Shomonic Williams
Campus Safety Still In Question?
Bjr:Jordan McAllister