2 The Pen, November 1W5
Editorials
“TwolBminBsliplKF
Franklin!
by Anishka McKenzie
In December 1994, Dr. Bernard W. Franklin was
elected to serve as Saint Augustine’s ninth president,
succeeding Dr. Prezel R. Robinson, who had diligently
led the coUege for 28 years.
There was no denying that Franklin had his work
already cut out for him. Robinson had left a strong
legacy in the hearts of faculty, teachers and students of
St. Aug, and everyone was curious to find out if Franklin
would be able to fill the giant’s place effectively.
I will never forget the atmosphere on campus the
day our new president arrived because the tension,
mixed with anticipation, was so thick that you could
cut it with a knife.
The expressions on the faces of faculty, staff, and
students told you exactly what they were thinking and
feeling.
“I wonder if I’ll have my job at the end of the day?”
“Maybe my department will finally get the financial
assistance I’ve been asking for all these years.”
“I wonder if life at the Aug will be better or worse
with Franklin at the helm.”
“Is he capable of doing the job effectively?”
These were thoughts that I knew were racing
through the heads of faculty and staff members.
The looks on the students' faces, on the other hand,
seemed to suggest, “What is he going to do for us?”
Six months later. Dr. Franklin has succeeded in
winning the hearts of the St. Augustine’s family. How
did he do it? Franklin is approachable, down to earth,
and friendly. When he interacts with the students, we
don’t just hear empty words filled with vain promises,
but we see a heart that sincerely wants the absolute
best for each student because he is concerned with our
holistic development. Franklin takes the time to interact
with the students; sometimes he goes to the cafeteria
and eats lunch with us. He has eliminated the invisible
barrier existing between himself and the students by
coming to us.
The President has a vision in mind for the future of
Saint Augustine’s, and the positive changes that we have
seen in the short time he has been with us show that,
with Dr. Bernard Franklin as our leader, we will rise to
the top.
The theater has critics who criticize movies.
Publishers of books have critics that criticize their books.
At St. Augustine's, we also have a critic who has taken
it upon herself in this article to critically analyze and
evaluate our new president’s performance over the
months that he has been with us. Franklin receives
thumbs up! from this critic because he is definitely
steering us in the right direction.
We congratulate you on a job well done. Dr.
Franklin. Keep up the good work!
CONCERNS OF YOUNG ADULTS
YOUNG, SAVED, AND SINGLE
by: Kathy Chapman
If you are a single young person, you kiK^w that the flesh can become a problem. That
doesn't mean that you are a “fast” person; it is just natural for the flesh to get weak.
No wonder the Bible says we should put no confidence in the flesh (Phil 3:3). I am
glad that young, single people do not have to be overtaken by lustful feelings. Phil 4:13
says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
If we submit ourselves to God, then those lustful problems would not be a big deal.
James 7 says, “Submit yourself therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from
you.” If we as young pepole would devote more of our time to God, we would not have
to worry about a companion. There is nothing wrong with seeking companionship. It is
normal for singles to seek a meaningful relationship.
Most of us young people want someone of the opposite sex to ^hare our dreams and
goals with. Little do we know it goes deeper than that. What we fail to realize is that
when you are bom again and you know the Lx>rd as your personal Savior, you should not
worry about a companion. That person will come when you least expect. God will send
you a mate when He knows that you are ready and capable to receive your mate. Not
everyone, even those who are bom again, can handle a relationship.
When a person’s relationship with the Lord is lacking before they are involved in a
relationship, it is more than likely that their relationship with the Lord will decrease even
more after they are involved with someone. And this is not to say that a relationship with
the Lord will decrease even more after they are involved with someone. Nor is it to say
that a relationship is wrong; however, I think that singles should focus on “failing in love”
with Jesus before focusing on falling in love with someone else.
Nevertheless, you may have made mistakes throughout your walk with Christ while
being young and single, but remember that the victory can always be regained.
Whatever you do, do not keep making the same mistakes. Never make excuses for
your mistakes. Admitting is the first step to recovery. Always keep going forward; do not
waste your time looking at your past mistakes {Phil.3:13).
The Million Man March
by Maria Arvelo
On October 16th, 1995, the witnessing of over one-million men of color actualized a
vision that seemed, to many, an impossible goal.
In this moment of “pure utopism at its finest", there were men with suits, jeans and T-
shirts, hats to the back, gym shoes, Baptists, Catholics, Muslims, light-skinned men, men
who had been imprisoned, drug addicts, men who were negligent in paying their child support,
men in college, men who were forced by their parents to be there, men who were brought by
their single mothers — all kinds of men.
But the point of the matter was that all of these men, in their many varieties, without
regard to religion being a barrier in their agenda of objectives, proved to the world that it was
time to acknowledge the deficiencies that beset us as a race and turn our adversities into the
kind of spiritual motivation it will take to return our people back to their original greatness.
At that moment in history, a sea of manhood was manifested and the beneficiaries of
this moment now have an obligation to leave this event and return to their communities,
families and churches, enlightened and inspired to be vessels of hope, destroying monologue
and developing dialogue.
Here are some students' comments on the march:
“Shaun Henderson (March Participant and member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.)
“/ never experienced being in the midst of that many black men who appeared to
have the same goals in mind as I did, and although I think it sparked tension between the
races, it proved that there are a lot of black men who care about the plight of our race."
-John Sledge (March Participant)
‘7 got a lot out of the March because of the vibes. It was an atmosphere full of
LOVE and I was personally inspired to help where I can, because I have a son and we
have to be the initiators of our own progress. ”
Editor-in-Chief: Natosha Kennedy Deputy Editor-in-Chief: Dawn Randolph News Editon L: Tonya Janies
Advertising Manager: Kathy Chsq)man Arts & Entertainment Editor: Jackie Yates Sports Editor: Rukel Faulam
Public RelationsOfflcer: Maria Arvelo Typist: Michelle Fox Photographers: Taimica Johnson, Willie Kelly, Tracy
Todd Advisor: Dr. Frederick Jones.
The Pen is a student publication of Saint Augustine’s College and is published monthly throughout the academic year
from September to May. Mailing address is: The Pen, Saint Augustine’s CoUege, 1315 Oakwood Avenue, Raleigh,
North Carolina 27610. Entire contents Copyright 1995/6. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise indicated, the opinions expressed in editorials, cartoons, and columns in these pages are those of the
contributors and do not necessarily reflect an editorial perspective of The Pen. The Pen reserves the ri^t to edit all
submisssions for taste, style and clarity. The unsigned editorial that appears on the left is the responsibility of the
Editor4n-Chief.
CORRECTION: In the September/October
issue of The Pen, we printed a article on the
first female lieutenant at St. Augustine’s CoDege.
Later, we discovered that Lt. Doris Batchelor
was not St. Aug’s first female lieutenant. The
woman holding this honor is Mrs. Elsie High.
Mrs. High was an employee at the College for over twenty years,
and IS still highly respected by her peers. In fact, it was one of her
former co-workers that made us aware of the error. Although the
current lieutenant, Lt. Batchelor, is doing a great job in her position,
respect should be given where respect is due. The Pen wishes to
offer our sincerest apologies to Mrs. Elsie High, St. Augustine’s
College female lieutenant.