February, 1981,..THE PEN...Page 5
Luther King Jr.
y
A Dramatic Tribute To Dr. King
By Vincent L. Smith
In the midst of another act of
hisfory being set, many mysterious
experiences take place. Not long ago
preparations were being made to pay
tribute to one of our fallen kings, the
late Pr. Martin. Luther King, Jr.
Various persons from numerous
walks of life entwined themselves in
activities to stress the essence of
what this man’s life stood for while
he lived, as well as he continues to
live in the minds of many.
Arrangements for January 15,
1981, the date of the slain leader’s
birthday has taken a mark
throughout the world as it
significantly relates to history.
Thousands interacted to this day to
tell the world to recognize the
natural birth date as a national holi
day in America and furthermore
acknowledge the work of the Rev.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Among all the tributes scheduled
for that day, one would have to
think the march on Washington
coordinated by recording artist and
entertainer, Stevie Wonder, would
have to be by far at the peak of
events that were scheduled for
January 15, 1981.
Although local and state efforts
were being made national attention
was the highlight of the day. Unfor
tunately, nine others and myself
weren’t able to attend. Yes, we had
made preparations to go and were
on our way.
On the brisk morning of January
15, 1981, at approximately 3:50
a.m., nine St. Augustine’s College
students and one staff member left
en route to Washington, D.C. to
participate in an effort to help
legalize Dr. King’s birthday.
John Jolly, president of Saint
Augustine’s SGA was coordinator
of the trip and driver of the fifteen
seat van. The majority of people
who planned to go were present and
accounted for and prepared properly
to make the trip. While loading on
the van and getting ready to leave
campus, Stevie Wonder’s recording,
“Happy Birthday” happened to be
playings which heightened our spirits
for the journey ahead.
After riding ten to fifteeli miles
outside of Raleigh, weather and
road conditions began to appear
hazardous. Five miles later the con
ditions proved themselves quite evi
dent. John Jolly seemed to be driv
ing along quite well, when all of a
sudden, the van hit an ice slick and
began to swivel from-side to side.
From the rear a voice beckons
“take your foot off the brake, take
your foot off the brake.” Jolly
replied calmly, “I don’t have my
foot on the brake.” At that point an
array of alarmness filled the van.
Now the vehicle appeared to have
straightened out although it may
have been hydroplaning.
This was only temporary, because
passing over the bridge was another
ice slick. This ice slick was a tremen
dous hazard to us as it took control
and spinned the van completely
around, off the road, and forced the
rear end of the van a yardstick out of
a creek, and the front end facing for
ward leaning and tilting on the em
bankment where we were lodged.
Fast thinking and self-control
allowed all of us to exit the van
without major injury. Other than
the excitement of it all, everyone
seemed physically and mentally safe,
except two people, one being a vic
tim of a possible back injury and the
other being a leg injury.
After everyone was present and
accounted for, we began to consider
rescue techniques, as well as safety
measures for our location. Unfor
tunately, the lights on the van were
pointed practically straight up the
road; so this didn’t shine too
favorable in signaling passing
vehicles. We were left with no other
alternative than to stand on the side
of the highway and try to flag down
passing motorists.
During the process a passing
motorist encountered the same ice
slicks and made a complete turn and
almost traveled off the highway to
where we were standing. At another
point, two semi-trucks were
speeding down the highway when a
camper trailer passed them unstably
in the area where we had been stan
ding.
After rescue units had arrived,
three other vehicles in our vicinity
had accidents. After an hour and a
half, those who needed medical at
tention were taken to the hospital
and the others were safely on their
way back to campus.
Thanks to passing motorists,
rescue units, and most definitely the
Grace of God for sparing our lives
through such a traumatic ex
perience. Although we had a rough
night and a long morning before the
day ended some of us were still able
to participate in the local and state
commemoration to Dr. King.
In Tribute to
Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr
By Austin Cooper
On January 15, 1981 Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. would have been
fifty-two years of age. In
Washington, D.C. over 100,000 per
sons, led by Mrs. Coretta Scott
King, Stevie Wonder, and other
notables marched.
The purpose of this march ws tc
appeal to the United States Congress
to pass the proposed legislation of
Congressman John Conyers to make
January 15 a National Holiday.
I can think of no other person
within this century who is more
deserving of this special recognition
than Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
For he has truly proven himself to be
a dedicated leader of his people.
This he did for thirteen years. When
those around him were afraid to
stand up and speak out for that
which was right, Dr. King did so and
gave others the courage to also.
He was not afraid to die for that
he beUeved in because he believed
that death was a cheap price to pay
for the freedom of his people, both
LIFT EVERY VOICE
AND SING
The National Negro Anthem
By James Wtdon Johnson
Lift every voice and sing, TUI earth and heaven ring.
Ring with the harmonies of liberty; Let our rejoicing rise, .
High as the listening skies, let it resound loud as a rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us.
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun.
Let us march on till victory is won.
Stony the road we trod, bitter the chastening rod.
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a stady beat.
Have not our weary feet, come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
IVe have come over away that with tears has been watered.
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered.
Out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last.
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.
God of our weary years, God of our silent tears.
Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way, Thous who hast by thy
mighty
Led us into the light, keep us forever in the past, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God where we met thee.
Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world we forget thee;
Shadowed beneath Thy hand, may we forever stand. True to our God,
true to our Native Land.
born and yet unborn. His plea of “If
anyone should be killed, let it be
me” was prophetic and much more
than a histronic burst. Although his
words were eloquent and moving,
his actions in behalf of his cause
spoke far louder.
His philosophy was nonviolence
and passive resistance was his
method or means of achieving his
goals. One has to understand that
his approach to the problem of
Vacism was the logic of his religious
training.
Having Mohnac|as Gandhi as his
mentor, he sought to use the same
methods as used by Gandhi when he
led his countrymen m their revolt
against the British. Dr. King regard
ed the situation during Gandhi’s
time and the situation of the^Negro
in America to be ahnost the same.
He was quick to question those
who believed that violence would
win us our freedom. How could a
minority, comprising of but ten per
cent of a prosperous and powerful
nation, revolt against a system that
controlled practically al* commercial
commerce and all weapons?
He believed that by protesting in a
nonviolent manner, the plight of his
people would be dramitized in order
for the whole world to see the un
fairness of white America to the
Negro citizens. He understood that
this country cquI^ not advise other
countries on practicing democracy
and equality without looking at
herself first.
There is not one person today who
has not benefited from the life and
the work of Dr. King in some way or
another. While we all may reaUze
how great a leader of us he was, we
cannot afford to sit around and wait
for another King to walk on the
scene and take up where Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. left off in 1968.
It is up to us to do this, to support
our Civil Rights Organizations and
if you are not satisfied with the work
of the National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People or
the National Urban League, then get
together with those who share your
dissent and organize to form your
own Civil Rights Organization!
But, do not just st back and
criticize. There are far too many
black people in the world as of now
who have already taken this attitude.
A Memorial:
Dr. Martin
Luther
King, Jr.
By Vinecia Bunch
Qn Thursday, January 15, 1981 at
7:30 p.m. the Alpha Phi Alpha
Fraternity Incorporated, rendered a
memorial service in behalf of the late
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The
opening prayer was by Danny Mit
chell followed by the introduction of
the occasion by Dennis Haggray.
The scripture was by Charles Ed
wards.
The college Gospel Choir sang
two selections. Brief remarks were
given by Student Government
representative, Michael Cox. Austin
Cooper presented the speaker for the
occasion.
The speaker. Dr. Wesley Mc
Clure, Executive Assistant to the
President, spoke mainly about how
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s works
effected black America’s life of to
day. He also emphasized the impor
tance of students setting goals and
the improtanceiof religion.
Mr, Don: Haynes gave the litany.
The benediction by college chaplain,
Rev. Ronald N. Fox followed
remarks given by Dr. Thelma
Roundtree, Vice President for
Academic Affairs.
Salute to King
By Ida Bulluck
He was tall, broad and handsome
With skin the tone of mahogany
His eyes bright with life
and with a grin he showed his pearly whites
_His smile was that of hope and faith
and a glimmer of cheer
And from his lips the word “no”
one would never hear.
A strong Black man oh yes he was
He preached of a dream he had
which derived from Love •
Striving for freedom and what was right
This man had so much influrence among his people
That on the evening of April 6 in 1968
They took his life.
r.
We
arc thatvkful fcr ■HuYnau...
(Hvcie tnen),
V\/1vo'ye led us tKrougK detl;
into a 'World, thougK Hwiely injpired,
we ftianlc desired.
W/fe
dre thAnVful and apparent^ rid,
rtvougK batHfcs rage cm, witti bicfot^ Kid,
discjuised in lov«, sKaltered IwH;
wWtl* is upon u$-
we still wafr.
■ttvdYikful vwearft
■fijr CdrrnUKael \ jour^d,
QKitkdi aTvd bqiicoHi,
bouwl.
AA.«redrth., Riiiijsippi
ar\d j bus,
vnH^raiion jeekarj,
■rt\air a-muit.
For po«ei and Worxfes,
cramped jaiU- ••
burned crojses;
flrfc Vvosiujs, ttie voting ric^Ki
ofapeacfe'wlnner'j \;inons,
We
are ttvdnkful... ye>.
for 4Ke bi^oiV jtare;
Tnaiidervm^ cKarm
6Tvd bru+al care.
{or wltKout his cause we'd not have Jwn
nor Wen inspires! Hirougb the iruttiJ
wlrvo front balcony iKronesdld cKoje h
wittvQod's own ^guidance di Hir mght.
until d^ of tKdi -Huinderoui gun,
rt\is deemed Kng
led masses as one.
We
are tKankiul
for luarcbes,
the dr^am,
■for bap^strval waTrlori,
for
Martin lij^er
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