Newspapers / Saint Augustine’s University Student … / Feb. 1, 1939, edition 1 / Page 22
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T H E P E X 21 the student, the liberal, the libera tor, triuinpbed. The French mon" arehs Iiad tlieir thorns in the form of student agitators. The Russian tsars had their Polish students to continually remind them that they were oppressors. The German kai* sers also had their student agitators. Even Great Hritain lias not escaped this eternal tormentor of tryants. As Brutus was to Caesar as Crour well was to Charles I, as the phil" osopliers were to the French kings, as the American colonies were to George III, so, even so, is tlie stu" dent to tlie oppressor. Call him lib" oral, call hiuj idealist, call him radi" cal, the student has ever been the humanist, the friend of the oppress’ ed, the champion of free thought. Even today the power of the stu" dent is recognized. In Germany, Italy, Russia' and Japan, dictators fear liim and his liberal thought. At liome too, in our American states, the ))ower of the student is respect ed. Political organizations, peace committees, and other |)ublic insti tutions seek tile nod of his endorse ment. To this body of American .students comes an increasing horde of Negroes, unpolished as rougli diamonds, and oppressed, looking for and seeking the armor of edu cation in order to better figlit their oi)j)ressors. Rut are we Negro stu dents ))roud of our tradition? Are we ready to and capable of holding on high this torch of liberalism and free thought which we have sought for and received of our own voli tion ? About tlie middle of the last cen tury, many benevolent and munifi cent organizations, especially church es and states set up a series of in stitutions for the education of the Negro. Todaj’, many of these schools are recognized colleges. But the student; are we true to the ideals of our forerunners? Are we cham pions of the oppressed? Answer. How can we be? We are given no opj)ortunities to exercise those price less theories of demorcracy taught to us liy our professors.. How can we, when' in charge of our institu tions are placed men, ■ frequently unsympatlietic to our cause, men who attempt to dictate our every move and even enslave our thoughts? How can we, I ask, espouse the cause of liberty when we ourselves have no liberty? How can we advo cate freedom for others wlien we have no freedom? It is an all too true fact, that in many Negro colleges, tlie Negro is mistreated. His needs and wants are ignored and he is forced to accept the dictum of Iiis jiatrons. His social life is' naught but a series of “dont’s’’ which leave very little for him to “do.” His ■ preparation—his ])ractical preparation'for life in the world is very narrow. He is not trusted and consequently his actions are limited by various rules and regulations which authorities them selves recognize' as an inducement to sneaking and dishonesty. On many campuses, too, the student is given no chance at practical living. Thus his education remains but a tlieory. . . As other students were, so are you Negro students now oppressed and hamj)ered. But like other students, you too can tlirow off the bonds that enslave you. Be not discourag- e'l. Take heart from the examples of your illustrious forbearers. You, Negro students, are you worthy of the trust that has been placed in 3'our hands at your own request? Are you truly students? Are you
Saint Augustine’s University Student Newspaper
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Feb. 1, 1939, edition 1
22
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