Page 2...THE PEN...Febniary, 1981
From the
editor’s desk
editor’s note
productive pursuits which prevent
one from getting the best from our
college experience, we, as young
Black Americans, need to be able to
maintain the highest degree of ex
cellence ever.
editorials
A Beautiful Black Man
By Carlton Taylor, Jr.
This month, February is Black
History month in America. What is
being emphasized this month, con
cerning blacks, is a dedication to the
Historical Black America. Due to
the circumstances, I chose to reflect
on the Honorable Elijah Muham
mad, the Messenger of Allah.
Why should this man, Elijah
Muhammad, be written about? He
should be written about, today,
because he has done some things
that were not conceivable before his
time.
The organization, the Nation of
Islam, was and still is the only
organization with the concept of na
tionhood in America. His beliefs as
he has stated in his monumental
book. The message To The Black
Man and Woman In America, “that
we must do something for ourselves
or suffer the consequences.”
What did he mean by this? He
meant instead of depending on
others to do for us, we should take
the initiative ourselves.
Did he practice what he preached?
Yes. The Nation of Islam was the
only Black organization to build
educational institutions for our peo
ple that are governed and instructed
by black people. He, Elijah Muham
mad, also wrote books.
For example. Message To The
Black Man and Woman In America,
The Fall of America, Our Savior
Has Arrived and How To Eat To
Live, volumes one and two.
In addition to that, the Nation of
Islam structured food exchanges,
factories, a printing press, land,
planes and tracks to run his nation.
What did this prove? This proved
that we can do the same thing, my
brothers and sisters.
Should we practice what he, Eli
jah Muhammad, preached and prac
ticed? Yes. I believe that we should
practice what was taught because
this would be beneficial to us in the
long run.
We will obtain respect from our
international brothers and sisters,
plus the white men. He would see
that we are trying to do something
for ourselves, instead of ap
proaching him to do it for us.
And this, I believe, would lessen
the racial tension instilled in the
American System of Democracy. In
addition, by practicing what Elijah
preached, we would set a positive ex
ample for the generation of tomor
row to follow.
Editor in Chief Sammie W. Brown
Assistant Editor Vincent Smith
Editorial Editor Lillian Williams
Asst. Editorial Editor Austin Cooper
Features Editor Dave Byrd
Poetry Editor Rouchell Chesson
Sports Editor LeondrasRoss
Layout E^tor Charies Bolen
Business Manager Carlton Taylor
Photography and Developing Editor Pete Peterson
Asst. Photo and Developing Editor Andrew Brown
Cartoonist Gregory Bolden
Reporters Vinecia Bunch, Patricia Lowery,
Bonita Hadley, Marcella Jackson,
Eric Williams, Michael Scantling
Photographers Ida Bulluck, Cynthia Green,
Anthony Johnson, Lewis Ligon,
Douglas Lindsey, Bruce Topping, Toya Williams
Typists Anita Davis, Wanda Sanders
Advisor Dr. Elizabeth Lee
Asst. Advisor Ms. Theresa Whitfield
The Cheshire Building
St. Augustine’s College
Raleigh, North Carolina 27611
Pen Offlce: 828-4451 Ext 276
The Pen is published once a month by the students of St.
Augustine’s College. The newspaper encourages letters to the Editor,
but the right to edit or print any inquiries are left to the Editor’s
descretion. Please take advantage of this tremendous opportunity.
Finally, Elijah Muhammad stated
“that unity is a must.” Because
without unity, politically, socially or
economically, there would be no
progress from us in America or the
world.
This is why he stated, “that we
must have a bold leadership.”
Because with bold leadership, we
will be able to build a strong
political, social, and economical
foundation which is essential for our
survival in America and the world.
In conclusion, let’s make what our
great forefathers said a reality and,
stop dreaming. Let’s unite, instead
of destroying one another. In addi
tion, let’s study the words of our
Black leaders, such as Elijah
Muhamma^J^cause in their
t^l^^^^^^P^WiB^something
we cah use to our ali>a...age. This is
the final call!!!
As a concerned student of this in
stitution, 1 feel that it is imperative
that we as a student body begin to be
serious about our goals and
priorities and set realistic means for
accomplishing them.
With our everhanging culture
and pressing economic status, an
unlimited education during our
undergraduate years is mandatory.
In order for us to overcome the bar
riers which are before us. Black
Americans must put more emphasis
on the moral and ethical values
which have brought us this far and
disregard the disillusionments of
White America.
One role of the Black College is to
provide a quality education ex
perience for those denied a quality
pre-college experience. But, in order
to sustain and increase the produc
tion of scientists, medical doctors,
lawyers, etc., the mind and body
must be sufficiently stable to absorb
an unlimited amount of facts,
theories and skills.
Instead of indulging in alcoholc
beverages, jive, and other counter-
With the government under the
present leadership, we will suffer
even greater setbacks in the years to
come.
In order for us to overcome this
circumstance, it is very important
that we put forth our best efforts to
excel in the best of our potentials.
We must instill within our brothers
and sisters that the high school
diploma alone has very little
significance in this day and time. We
also need to become fully aware of
the necessary requirements for EX
CELLENCE. In order to maintain
this kind of EXCELLENCE we
must be wiUing and able to pay the
price.
We must be convinced ourselves
of the significance of EX
CELLENCE. We have to demand
that faculty, staff and ad
ministrators which are authorized to
operate our institutions are capable
and committed to our further
growth and development. If not, we
are letting ourselves be deprived of
one of the most important resources
for our further progress.
“A Mind Is A Terrible Thng To
Waste!”
Sammie W. Brown
Editor-in-Chief
Black Economic Developement
By Jerry Pennick
In this election year, as has been
the case in the past, the politicians
and “Black leaders” are limiting
their perception of Black economic
development to acquiring more jobs,
that is, working for the government
or the other man. That perception
and related actions ultimately results
in a total dependence on a salary,
thus virtually eliminating any chance
for real economic independence.
This is not to say that jobs are not
important, however, while emphasis
is being placed almost exclusively on
that goal, Blacks continue to lose
land at an alarming rate. Land, of
course, is the best hope for any
measure of economic independence
■-for Blacks in this country, yet very
Uttle assistance by the government or
“Black leadership” is being provid
ed to protect and develop this
valuable resource.
One of the most glaring examples
of this neglect is the Harris Neck
commuhity on the Georgia Coast.
Here was a Black community that
owned over 2,000 acres of land.
From the ocean and through proper
utilization of that land they had
become totally self-sufficient.
Yet, of all the available land in the
area, the government chose to take
theirs to construct an airbase during
World War II. Naturally, the
“promise” was made to return the
land once it was no longer needed
for military purposes. Of course it
was never returned, and since that
time, has been used to raise cattle, as
a wildlife refuge and will be open to
hunters in September of this year.
No consideration has been given
to the owners and their children, no
attempt was made to return their
land, so that they could once again
be economically independent and
escape the grasp of poverty,
joblessness and underemployment.
When the children and grand
children of the original owners of
those 2,000 acres decided that they
wanted to regain what was taken
from them, the issue at first was a
very popular one. All of the major
newspapers, television and radio sta
tions did extensive coverage of the
various marches, sit-ins, etc...
During this period of constant
media coverage and publicity, there
was no shortage of politicians and
“Black leaders.” Once the media
left and it was time to work and raise
money, only the faithful were left,
and they were very few.
The point is, that the politicians
and leaders do not see Harris Neck
as a problem that goes beyond that
small community and touches the
entire Black population of this coun
try. They do not understand or do
not care that the retention and pro
per utilization of land creates
political as well as economic in
dependence.
Harris Neck to one degree or
another is happening throughout the
southeastern United States. If a con
centrated effort to stop the rectify
these occurrences on the part of the
government and Black leadership is
not launched soon, there will be no
Black owned land and not even a
dream of economic independence.'
Could the lack of emphasis on real
Black economic development be in
tentional? Could the politicians and
leaders be so naive as not to
recognize the importance of lan-
downership in any economic
development? These are just two of
the questions that all Blacks,
especially those who own or aspire
to own land, must answer.
Extensive lip service has been
given to the land related problems of
Blacks over the past few years,
however, those problems have never
been allowed to take the form of a
viable and meaningful issue that
would demand a commitment from
those in a position to deal with it.
No matter what organizations Uke
the Emergency Land Fund, the Na
tional Association of Landowners,
Southern Cooperative Development
Fund, the Federation of Southern
Cooperatives, etc...do in this area,
Unless that commitment on the part
of the government, politicians and
“Black leaders” is forthcoming.
Black land loss and hopes for the
future will continue to fade until
neither is left.
The choice is ours, salary
dependence or economic in
dependence. Both are important,
however, it must be decided which
takes priority, and that decision can
not be made by the politicians or
“leaders.” It must be made by the
people most affected.
Once the decision is made, then
the politicians and leaders must be
given a mandate to honor that deci
sion and work toward that goal.
Jerry Pennick is executive director
of the Emergency Land Fund.