PAGE TWO
THE CAMPUS ECHO /
0
OCTOBIR—1948
Politics - And College Students
In the colleges and universities of most European, South A-
merican and Oriental countries, usually the university student
comprises the nucleus around which political opinions are formed
and crystallized. However, in America, it has long been the pecu
liar premise that as far as the game of politics is concerned, the
average college student is supposed to take no active part.
Since the ending of World War II and the influx of more ma
ture students, veterans of world campaigns and contemporary
makers of history, America’s evaluation of her college students in
relation to the business of political activity has undergone a radi
cal if not too easily-perceptible change. The student is expected to
have an adequate knowledge of issues, platforms, and the men who
are running for. the highest governmental positions in our land;
not only does this new sense of responsibility require that he keep
himself fairly intelligent as to the major issues involved but this
responsibility demands that the mature American college studenti
take a definite, active part in the focusing of public opinion on the
nece.ssity of interest in government and the duties involved in reg
istering and voting.
The students of North Carolina College (no different from
many American college students) have not yet awakened to the
Realization of the part that the inteligent youth of today can play
in the affairs and destiny of their country. One of the most momen
tous na,tional elections in years takes place next month. How many
of us are aware of the fundamental issues involved? How many of
us can Gooly, disipassionately evaluate the men running for presi
dent: Dewey, Wallace, Thurmond, and the incumbent President?
How many are aware of the bases for each candidate’s foreign pol
icy, if any at all? How many of us are interested in knowing and
do know how his personal life and opportunities would be affected
by the triumph of one of these candidates?
. Aside from the Social Science Department, no other organ
ization or group on the eampus seems particularly active in gal
vanizing our students into attitudes o^ creative political conscious
ness. Let us, have a series of debates, symposiums, public forums,
open discussions, panel discussions, “bull sessions” or any other
type of round-table talks where certain issues of governmental
policies could be thrown into the open, liot for the campaigning for
any pa/rticular candidate, but for the student’s enlightenment on
all issues We have many' students and teachers who could in
spire and lead such discussion groups. Let us become politically-
scious, for politics in America, especially for the Negro, opens a
wide gate which leads down the only road ,to first-class citizenship.
The Pursuit Of Happiness
Last summer the Editors of Life magazine sponsored a round
table discussion on the little publicized third right of Americans—
the pursuit of happineas as phrased by Thomas Jefferson in the
Declaration of Independence. In a July issue of the magazine an
account of the dip‘^msion was given. At this roundtable, whieh was
held in Rye, New york at the Weschester county club, were gather
ed notables and eminent people who represented prototypes of
Americans in various fields of endeavor. Such people as Charles
Luckman, president of. Lever Brothers, Erich Fromm, eminent
philospher, the mother of the year, and Betsey Barton noted novel
ist who has overcome a physical handicap were present at the
roundtable.
There were several important conclusions arrived at and sev
eral principles recognized as fundamental necessities in the pursuit
of happiness as the roundtable 'wrangled through three fateful
days over the aspects of the right—do Americans generally take
advantage of the right and are they usually successful in attaining
happiness. Perhaps even more important than the conclusions
reached by the roundtable was the mere fact that some Americans
are becoming concerned over whether other Americans are captil-
izing on the legal right that was granted them in the constiution.
It is significant that somebody in this land of plenty where the
inhabitants are the best fed, sheltered, and clothed in the world,
realizes that, these inhabitants are missing out on their opportunity
j:o, qnjpy a privilege granted them in the constitution. It is signi-
licant that somebody in this highly impersonal and disinterested
society js concerned over somebody, else’s happiness.
One very, pertinent conclusion reached by the roundtable was
the fact that the pursuit of happiness would be greatly encumber
ed unless the'inner obstables—state of mind, and the outer barriers
—enivronmental obstacles, were removed. With due respect to prob
lems posed by the environmental barriers, we believe the individual
can do mupi more to alleviate the existing situation in his state of
mind that prevents him from pursuing happiness unencumbered
than to solve the problems which have their sources in his immed
iate or ultimate environment. On the merits of that assumption it
is, then, the indi\’idua] ’s responsibility to see that part of the handi
cap to his pursuit of happiness is overcome. It is our belief that
this is the point that most individuals miss and which subsequent
ly causes them to rely on the “straightening out of things” in their
environment as the prerequisites to their pursuit of happiness. As
college students we have a decided advantage over less educated
folk in eliminating those inner obstacles to our pursuit of happi-
■n \s8. In sallying forth to eliminate these inner barriers one of the
first items on the agenda should be a critical analysis of our pur
pose in ^getting a higher education. From our observations of col-
.lege- students we have concluded that a frightening percentage of
them have perverted senses of values. From a i-evealation of their
dreams and aspirations we have further concluded that they have
entirely, ifiissed the point of getin;:' a liberal education. This per
centage of students considers a Bachelor’s degree only in terms of
how many thousands a year can be earned from the possession of
it. It may not be too far fetched to assume that some college pro-
fcKsors get Doctorates for the sole purpose of adding-to their earn-
iin power. It is Ptill true that we live in a capatilistic society in
which, the “almighty dollar” has considerable influence; but this
is true only because society itself has perverted the values and in-
(Please turn to Page Five)
Student's Forum
In keeping with the current
season and the recent successes
of the “Mighty Eagles,” the
Quizzer has asked this question:
Do you think that the Eagles
will soar to a 1948 C. I. A. A.
Football Championship ?
Mrs. Bessie R. Jones, Peters
burg, Virginia:
“Well,, I’m hoping. I think
there are possibilities. We have
excellent material and a swell
coach. All it takes now is a swell
cooperation of teammates, cheer
ing squad, dining hall, and the
student body.”
Larry Coleman, Montclair,
New Jersey:
“I believe that this year is
going to be a great year for our
North Carolina College Eagles.
Having been on the football
squad, I have seen and parti
cipated in the daily workouts
of our boys from the Delaware
victory to the South Carolina
State victory, and after those
defeats last year, I don’t think
the Eagles will be defeated
soon. Our boys need a lot more
school spirit to bring home the
C. I. A. A. Championship, for
our boys have the toughest
g'ames yet to come. AVhat about
it students?”
'Miss Maricjfi Jacobs.' Clinton,
North Carolina:
“The Eagles have started the
season off with a bang and, if
their spirits are kept high, I be
lieve that they will defeat any
team this year. ’ ’
Dear Editor, -
Y"outh knows no satisfaction.
We have already gotten ac
customed to seeing the new faces
and greeting the old flames and
what not around the campus. A
far as rules and regulations go,
our opinions , are divided. We
must respond favorably to some
of them but why must we go to
Womens’ Meetings so often?
Can’t we be reminded once a
month of those same little things
that shomehow always keep
coming up?
Besides being eontantly prob
ed toward our ever-constant
memorandum, ;we jiave other
problems. The girls in Rush
Hall aren’t given a chance to
socialize because they are watch
ed as if they are in prison.
There need not be any partition
between the ofBce and reception
room because all eyes are look
ing and all ears are open.
Grievances are not only among
the young women, biit the young
men as well. The girls admit
that the fellows look real sharp
in thin coats, ties, and shirts
but for the sake of athletes and
happy-go-lucky fel'ows, give
them a chance to sport those
mad blazers and zipper shirts.
Now for the entire student
body, I am compeilled to men
tion the seating arrangement in
the dining hall and at assembly.
We should like to feel free to
have more choice in our seating
arrangements.
Respectfullv submitted,
PATSY iCINCAID
Pekoe; Avenue
Durham, N. C.
Sept. i24, 1948
The Editorial Istaff of the
Campus Echo \
North Carolina \College at
Durham, North| Carolina
Dear Editor, I
To have becorfle a member of
the Student Association of North
Carolina Collegfe was indeed a
pleasure. 1
Relative to 4he September
issue of the Cam{ft>ii Echo, I
wish to thank you for-ii^the wel
comes which were expreb§ed in
dividually or through the Varii
(Please turn to Page Five)
Poem Of The Month
The Edito
Echo are sp'
Poem of the
dents who ha
posing lines oi
to send the
Echo. The h
published on*
column each i
of the yeai
judged by a f
prizes will b^
author of the
Editors.
of the Campus
Insuring a ‘ ‘ Best
.an” Contest. Stu-
le a flair for com-
\try are urged
^ the Campus
Ppoems will be
a time in this
fith. At the end
» poems will be
liculty advisor and
awarded to the
best ]K)eai. — The
Tlie world* is sb important to
The youngsters of today,
That sometimes it must seem to
them
That they are here to stay.
They strive for pleas'ure and
success ;
With all their hearts and souls,
Beyond their earthly goals.
And nothing matters much to
them
But we who watch the sun go
down
And long to have our rest.
Are not so much concerned a-
bout
The ordinary quest.
We understand that everything
Belongs at last to Goi^,
And we are only visitors
Who cultivate the sod.
We know that we
To help the world go'on
And try to be deserving of
The everlasting dawn.
J. Alphonso McKoy, Fayette
ville, North Carolina:
“A~vijining start has given
the team and school a great spir
it, plus a more power-packed
line with newcomers. Since our
backs aren’t jinxed by injuries,
I ei.;iect the Eagles to fly away
■ with the CIAA Championship.”
William H. Thomas, Balti
more, Maryland:
“This, 1 believe is to ba a
great year for the North Caro
lina College Eagles. So far, this
year T have seen school spirit
and ('ooperation that is to be
envied bj^ any school. If we, the
student body, continue to sup
port our team, I feel sure the
C. I. A. A. Championship will
be ours in the end.”
Miss Edith Lee, New York:
“I think the Eagles will win
Ithe CIAA Championship this
year because we have a stronger
team, and because I’m pulling
for them one hundred per cent.”
DID THIS EVER H/»PPEN TO YOU ?
C\JEAH
Paul McGist, Camden, South
Carolina:
“If the Eagles continue to
show the power that they have
exhibited in the past games,
there can be little doubt that
they will win the champion-
galley nine, clay ross z—
ship.”
James G. Jones, Durham,
"North Carolina:
“We of North Carolina Col
lege have joined our forces in'
unity and strength; therefore,
we have nothing to fear.
The Campus Echo
PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE STUDENTS AT NORTH CAROLINA COLLEGE
AT DURHAM.
CLATHAN ROSS A14d LIBSON BERRY co FniroRfS
_ ASSOC.rT°
GLADYS MCGILL
ELANE MOORE . — ^^ —_ gpoRTS EDITOR
WILLIAM PARKER i
LOUISE JACKSON
GEORGE THORNE .
WILLIAM THOMAS
WARREN COLEMAN .
W. A. TUCK
SPORTS WRITER
FEATURE EDITOR
ART EDITOR
BUSINESS MANAGER
ADVERTISING MANAGER
ADVISOR