News Argus, November 2001
Speaker tells
blacks to turn
lives around
By Keith Caesar
Argus News Editor
The ancient Egyptians inscribed
the passage "Know thyself" above
the doors in their homes. A lecturer
that visited the campus in
September is hoping that students
and faculty at Winston-Salem State
University will hear that cry and
take the initiative to learn more
about themselves.
Famed black psychologist Dr.
Na'im Akbar was the guest speaker
of the Joseph Patterson Lecture
series in September. He spoke to stu
dents and faculty on the virtues of
knowing ourselves. He is adamant
that this is something that blacks can
attain.
He was due to come to WSSU ear
lier in the month but had to resched
ule because of the attacks of Sept. 11.
Akbar saidthat African-Americans
should focus not on the negativity,
but should instead begin learning
about the things that will be more
beneficial in the long run.
"Self-knowledge is the catalyst
that reverses this whole process," he
said.
He added that this can be attained
by using the Dubois principle of a
double consciousness.
"We cannot simply focus on our
self-knowledge. We have to see our
selves as we are, but also through
the eyes of other people," he said.
When asked whether this could
truly be attained by blacks, he
responded, "I wouldn't question if
we were up to the task if I didn't
know what we've been through."
However, Akbar said that this is
something that will not come
overnight and will take some time.
"It's a long-term process. Self-
knowledge releases human potential
productivity, creativity, all the ener
gy and motivation we have," he
said. "As long as we don't have it,
we have no place to steer."
He that said black America can
change its position in society.
"This will not come as a mass
movement by blacks, but as the
commitment of people who are true
to the cause.
"It begins with a nucleus of com
mitted people," said Akbar. "There
was never a massive slave revolt,
there were always a few people who
constantly worked together."
As devastating and traumatic as
slavery was, there were only a few
people who were willing to revolt,
such as Frederick Douglas and
Sojourner Truth. Only a handful did
it, as did a handful of whites.
How long it takes will be up to
those who believe in what is being
fought for.
"It will take a couple of genera
tions, but we will get there," he said.
Making a Connection
1 •
Photo by Jerry Watkins
Jaheim gets up
close and personal
with fans In the front
row at the home
coming concert at
Joel Coliseum. Also
performing at the
concert were Miss E
Wreck of Now City.
Modeling troupe
Mozik opened the
concert which only
had about 180
attending. Jadakiss,
who was reported as
being sought after to
headline the show,
was unable to come.
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