Newspapers / Meredith College Student Newspaper / Feb. 2, 2000, edition 1 / Page 6
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Meredith Herald February 2,. 2000 6 Campus Opinion Editor Take a seat for something Forty years ago, four students about the age of many Meredith students, sat down for what they believed in. Forty years ago, four black students sat at a whites-only lunch counter They made history in a few brief moments; they changed their own lives and the lives of others. They exercised their right to eat where ever they pleased. Forty years ago on Feb. 1, 1960, the sit- in that was not planned and that would never be forgotten hap pened. Indeed, the four freshmen from N.C. A&T in Greensboro went Into Woolworth's and ordered Cokes and doughnuts, a typical unhealthy college snack. However, when those four students were refused service, they had an atypical reaction; they did not leave. By the same token, they did not yell. They simply sal. Eventually, 5 p.m. arrived, the store closcd and the students left along with all the other customers. Their simple action provided a cornerstone for similar sit-ins all over the South. Civil disobedience, first written about by American transcen- denialist writer Henry David 'I'horeau, provided the stepping stones for Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. Those students may not have even known aboui civil disobedi ence, yet they knew what they had to do. Their courage and their conviction, even 40 years ago, should be a reminder to us all of the past and its failures and achieve ments. In retrospect, we do realize the magnitude of the tremendous courage that those four students had, the convictions they felt so early on in the Civil Rights Movement. Yet we must question ourselves. Have we forgotten the convic tions of those four black students? Have we taken civil rights for granted for so long that we are reverting back to its pre-movement f'onn? While these questions may seem extreme, there is no better time to think about them than during February, ISIack History Month. Meredith Herald Editor in Chief. Leslie Maxwell News Editor. Chri.stina Holder Copy Editor Sara Parsons Arts & Efntenainment Editor. Lisa Gilliam Business Manager. Michelle Drake PhotographcT. Jenny Altier, Abby Spcnccr Keponcrs Jenny Altier, Alexia Andrews, I.eesha Austin. Jcnni Brady. Jenny Costa, Stephanie Jordan, Nikki Norris, Jessica Parrish, Betsy Rhame, Kristin Schneider, Joni Smith, Harmony Strong, Tracy Sumner, Lora Tillman, TaneshaWilliams, Lisa Wilson Distribution Lora Tillman Subscriptions Nikki Norris & Kristin Schneider Faculty Adviser. Dr. Rebecca Duncan iyilonal Policy: The Merecliih Herald is published by the College throughout the academic year. The paper is funded by the College and through independent advertising. The opinions expressed in the editorial columns do not nece.ssarily reflect those of the college administra tion. faculty, or student body. How to reach the Herald: If you have a anicle idea for the staff, contact the office at 760- 2824. You can al.so e-mail the paper at max wclll@rneredith.edu>. All ideas will be considered but may not necessarily be used. Battle flag debate continues Ai.kxia Andrbws SlafI Wnler I was born and raised in Summerville. S.C. My father was born in Mobile, Ala., and my mother was born in Ger many. I was always raised to respect anyone and everyone no matter their religion, race, creed, age or sex. Yet 1 believe that the Con federate battle flag should be flown over the state Capitol building of South Carolina, To me, (he flag is not a sym bol of hate, but instead it sym bolizes the people who were willing to risk their lives to fight for what they believed in. More than anything in this world, I hate apathy. The battle flag is a symbol of the lack of apathy that the Confederate soldiers had. I do not believe in flying the flag to show hate, racism or white supremacy. By no means do 1 -see myself as better than anyone t)f any other race. I simply believe that a flag that symbolizes the lives of men (both black and while) fighting for what they believed in should fly. Men that were black and white fought side by side on the Confederacy's side to win separation from the Union. Unlike the Confederacy, the Union’s soldiers were segre gated. Southerners are not more racist because they fly flags or fight wars or speak out about how they feel. Rather, they are passionate about what they believe. There is little room for apathy but plenty for southern hospitality. By flying the Confederate flag in South Carolina, we show that threats and taw suits do not keep us from fighting for what we believe. Along the same lines, I approve of those who are fight ing against the flag because they are also fighting the war on apathy. The point has been argued many times, and it seems that the people of South Carolina have spoken: We want the Bat tle Flag to fly high over the Capitol. Part of the reason that for mer Governor David Beasley was ousted by a Democrat is that he wanted to take the flag down. Governor Jim Hodges was the first Demtxrat that South Carolinia had elected in many years partially because we want the flag to fly. If the majority of citizens feel the way I do, that the flag should fly, then the citizens should rule. 1 understand that to .some people, it is a sign of racistn and oppression, but I question if the.se people really under stand what the majority of South Carolinians see tlic flag as repre.senting. Mo.st of the people I know are not racist, yet they believe that the flag should fly. 1 do know a few people who can be considered raci.st, yet it is these very people who are apathetic about the flag. Even now, I do not under stand why the NAACP is boy cotting South Carolina while Georgia's slate flag includes the battle flag in its design. All the citizens of South Carolina want is to fly a flag that stands for all the relatives they lost fighting a war they believed in; we do not ask to include it in the design of our flag. I find myself growing weary of retelling my views on this issue because it is so controver sial, but 1 cannot preach against apathy if 1 practice it. I despise people who use the battle flag as a symbol of hate, 1 disagree with using the flag to scare people and I am certainly not writing this to offend any one. I am writing to voice my opinion, and 1 am writing in the hopes of urging others to do the same, even if their opinions are different from mine. So let ihe flag fly. If you di.s- agrec with its flying, let it be known, but do not fie apathetic. Apathy is what kills ihe souls of gO(xl people. LeMers to the Editor Policy: Everyone in the Meredith communily is invited and cncouraL'ed to write a letter to (he editor. All published letters must be typewrit ten with a contact name, address, and tele phone number. All letters must be signed by the author in order to be published. The Hcrah! reserves the right to place any other article submissions on file until needed or to choose not to print them. The Herald also has the right (o edit .submissions for space restrictions, grammar and style. Inclement Weather Policy In the event of inclcmcnt winter weather, faculty, staff and students should call 760-2384 for the latest information on clas.s cancellations or delays and olTice closings. When possible, the college will also run public announcements on 101.5 FM and WRAL Channel 5 and on the WRAf/ website at www.wraltv.com/content.s/>. Submitting to the Herald : Submissions must be received by I p.m on the Monday before Wednesday's publication. Sub missions include letters to the editor, press releases and feature articles.
Meredith College Student Newspaper
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Feb. 2, 2000, edition 1
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