Newspapers / Fayetteville State University Student … / March 1, 1996, edition 1 / Page 14
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14 Bronco* Voice March 1996 Cheer from pg. 13 still under a permanent sus pension banning them from participating as members of the cheerleading squad for the rest of their stay at the univer sity. The cheerleaders still un der suspension are Yolanda Johnson, Linda Barden, Rhonda Staton, Lisa Whatley, Princesa Palmer, and Dora Rogers, the core of Cheer-Phi and a large part of the histori cal continuity for the team. The result of their suspensions was a freshman cheerleading squad who struggled to learn the ropes during the season. The administration’s case When contacted. Dr. McLeod and Mr. Scurry of fered no comment. Dr. Burns, FSU’s current Athletic Direc tor, was out of town. Ms. Adams stated that the suspen sions have “...been appealed twice, through Dr. Benson and Dr. McLeod, and the matter is closed.” However, our investigation revealed that several factors influenced the administra tion’s heavy-handed decision. Though a strong form of pro test, by not cheering at a tele vised event at the CIAA tour nament, Cheer-Phi seriously damaged their case. In a word, their action was considered “unconscionable.” It was also determined that some of Cheer-Phi may have “cussed out” Ms. Adams (though Cheer-Phi members say they merely spoke to her “woman to woman”). Last, by not apologizing in any way for their conduct, it was deter mined that those affected by the suspensions refused to take ownership for their actions. The Deliberation A few factors must now be evaluated. Jerrell Joyner did not appeal his suspension yet was allowed back on the var sity squad. Due to their tenu ous relationship with Ms. Adams, when the suspended members tried to help train the “new” Cheer-Phi’s, they were told that their services (and years of experience and tradi tion) were not needed. As team captain, Yolanda Johnson was supposed to be recognized and awarded All- ClAA Cheerleader honors. Not only were she and the other suspended members barred from attending FSU’s 1995 Athletic Awards Ban quet (a right earned through their year-long participation in Cheer-Phi), Ms. Johnson’s award was given to Jerrell Joyner (who was still under suspension yet allowed to at tend the banquet). In light of these facts, does the punishment outweigh the crime? Has Dr. McLeod con tradicted his “put the student first” anthem? Why was the specific reasoning for the sus pensions vague, ambiguous and never fully explained to those affected by the suspen sions? Although the entire var sity squad was suspended, why were certain members afforded “special”,treatment? Should the grievances of an entire cheerleading squad be discounted without an open conference between them selves, a moderator, and their accusers? Has the University ultimately suffered from the administration’s heavy- handed verdict? What is lost in the drama is that, as with University of Nebraska running back Lawrence Phillips, students have and will make mistakes. The driving reason and effort in relieving this dilemma should lie in trying to find common ground; of creating a circumstance that both al lows one to make, acknowl edge and grow from mistakes or errors in judgement. Here, at FSU, is where one can and should show compassion be cause the streets beyond these hollowed halls are indeed cold and mean. FSU is ultimately here for the student, and whether the cheerleaders that comprised Cheer-Phi are to remain suspended or be rein stated, let the common ground of reason, compassion, and forgiveness be their common denominator. Muted from pg. 2 In one of our earliest con versations, Chancellor McLeod expressed his desire to ensure that The Broncos’ Voice has the resources it needs to be published. His po sition is significant in that what we need is staff pay and the printer necessary to pub lish The Voice on campus. I trust that he will follow through with his assurance. However, this is a note to those who might try to limit his efforts that FSU students will not settle for less than a paid staff and a printer to pub lish The Voice on campus. This is not a request but a de mand; not a threat but a fact, for our thoughts will have ex pression, our Voice shall scream triumphant, we will be empowered, and we will not stand for or allow our trumpet to be muted. SoectaJ ^iui/a/ion is coming to fay(3tt3Villel Something wonderful, something powerful is happening in Fayetteville. For the last 6 weeks African Americans' in small groups have been gathering to privately pre-view and size up Sankofa. We ended up being rivited to our seats by it’s truth, it’s power, it’s beauty. The voices of “Nunu,” “Shango” and “Shola” still speaJc to me. After the showing we were eased into a sincere exchange of feelings and thoughts about our people, our condition our needs, our power, our future. That discussion further illuminated the healing power this film holds for our community. Sankofa passed my test. I can’t shake it. More than that, I don’t want to shake it! I want all of Fayetteville to enjoy Sankofa on the big screen and the community-based discussions that will follow all over town. I need your help to make this dream comc true. You are invited to an expanded private video pre-viewing of Sankofa. March 23rd at 7:00p.m. at the New Monk-Smith building at the Seahrook Park Complex. 1520 Slater Ave. (off Langdon After viewing the movie, if you agree that Fayetteville needs to sec Sankofa, I want you to become a member of the Sankofa Support Group. Your joining at any level you choose will help us capitalize this project and spread the healing aflFects some of us have already experienced. Space is lim ited; so, please let me know if you will accept this invitation. Sincerely, SANKOFA. the popular film by inde pendent filmmakef Haile Gerlma is a stofv ol tf)e trcywforrrxjtion of Mona. G self-possessed African-American women wtio is sent on a spiritual jour ney in time to experiertce captivtty (slavery). We share the life she en dures and her growing consciousr»ess and tronsformation. SANKOFA. an Akon word that means "one must return to the past in order to move forward.” is done from and African/African American perspec- ttve. It comects black people with our African past and culture. It empow ers Black people on the screen by showir»g our red hot passion for free dom. our resisting oppression, our Af rican spirftucWy. our toving each other even as we were treated as brutes. SANKOFA is winner of the Agip Grand Prize at the African Film Festival in Milan, ttaly. arxJ the Pest Clnematog- raphy Award of the FESPACO Film Festival in Burkina Faso. Africa. SANKOFA has opened to standing room audiences inWashlngton.D.C.. Baltimore. MD. Chicago. Philadel phia. New York City. London, and Accra. Gtvana. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE You Are Not Alone (NU) • It’s becoming routine to cover up the bruises, but you know others suspect their cause. You think there’s no one you can turn to who would understand. The National Crime Prevention Council has a message for you: You are not alone. The council says as many as four million women in the United States suffer some kind of violence at the hands of their husbands or boyfriends each year, yet few will tell anyone. Part of the abuser’s power comes from secrecy, and victims often are ashamed to talk about such intimate family problems. Do mestic violence counselors recom mend breaking the cycle of abuse by going to a friend or neighbor, calling a domestic violence hotline or talking to a counselor. If you are hurt, call the police. Remember that assault, even by family members, is a crime. Police often have information about shel ters and other agencies that help victims of domestic violence. Leave, or have someone stay with you. If you believe that you and your children are in danger, leave immediately. And get medical attention. Ask the hospital or doctor’s staff to photograph your injuries and keep detailed records in case you decide to take legal action. For more information, call the National Resource Center on Do mestic Violence at 1-800-537- 2238. This information is provided as part of the National Citizens’ Crime Prevention Campaign, which is substantially funded by the U.S. Department of Justice. ARE YOU ABUSED? Check any that apply 1(7you. Does the person you love... □"Track” all of your time? □Constantly accuse you of being unfaithful? □Discourage your relation ships with family and friends? □Prevent you from work ing or attending school? □Constantly criticize you for little things? □Anger easily when drink ing or using other drugs? □Control all finances and force you to account in detail what you spend? □Humiliate you in front of others? □Destroy personal proper ty or sentimental items? □Hit, punch, slap, kick or bite you or the children? □Use or threaten to use a weapon against you? □Threaten to hurt you or the children? □Force you to have sex against your will? If you checked any of these, it’s time to get help. N«ws USA
Fayetteville State University Student Newspaper
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March 1, 1996, edition 1
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