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N^r®ro unc-ch chapel hill C(P^1 C 19^:1 **CHWIL NC £7514 VOLUME 88 - NUMBER 27 DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - SATURDAY, JULY 11, 2009 TELEPHONE (919) 682-2913 PRICE: 30 NCCU Kicks Offits Centennial With 'Charter Day North Carolina Central Uni versity inaugurated its Centennial Year witli a bell-ringing ceremo ny followed by an observance at B.N. Duke Auditorium in honor of Charter Day. the 100th anni- versaiy of the day the school was officially incorporated. Timothy McIntosh drove down front Maryland to call the assem- bl\' to order by ringing the same bell he sounded five times a day as a student from 1958 to 1962. "If it were not for NCCU. 1 wouldn't be in the position 1 ant today.” said McIntosh. "And I hope the university continues to keep its closeness and concern for the students." NCCU Chancellor Charlie Nelms spoke of the symbolic significance of the bell in the Af rican-American community and the special place the campus bell holds in the hearts of alumni and former faculty and staff. "This bell signaled opportunity, but also certaintt. as it tolled like clockwork, letting the students know they were draw ing nearer to a better life even hour of every day.” said Nelms. In a filled B.N. Duke Audito rium. guest speaker and alumnus. Dr. Dudley E. Flood offered a humorous look at life on cam pus in the 1950s and particularly, the "Spirit of NCC.” He said the "Spirit” was about the students re lying on one other to get througli and learning how to comport themselves to succeed in the wid er world. He said they were also instilled with the sense that "life would be about service to human- it.v." Intermingled with the speeches and the proclamations of Char ter Day from Bill Bell, mayor of Durham, and Rev. Michael Page, chair of the Durham County Com mission. were wonderful solos performed by NCCU music ma jor Jasmyn Cooper and Richard Banks, assistant professor in the music department. In a dramatic moment, descen dants and family members of the original signatories of the Charter of Incorporation of the National Religious Training School and Chautauqua for the Colored Race, the precursor of North Caro lina Central University, rose and signed a replica of the document on stage. The original incorporators included Dr. James E. Shepard, founder; Professor William G. Pearson, principal of Hillside Park High School; physicians Charles H. Shepard and Aaron M. Moore; and John Merrick presi dent. and Charles C. Spaulding, general manager and secretary, of the North Carolina Mutual & Provident Association. The descendants and family members on stage included Mr. Isaac Hughes (Jreen. Sr., great grandson of James E. Shepard; Charles Watts. Jr., and Joseph M, Sansom. great grandsons of Dr. Aaron Moore and John Merrick; Aaron L. Spaulding, namesake and relative of Dr. Aaron Moore and Mr. C.C. Spaulding; Clin ton A. Shearin. Sr., grandson of Charles C. Spaulding; Samuel A. Shepard. Jr., a relative of Dr. Charles H. Shepard; and Eugene Turner, grandnephew of William G- Pearson. Erskine Bowles, president of The University of North Carolina aaid "1 think today's re-enactment ta a fitting kickoff to what will be a yearlong celebration of the Cen tennial.” " During the Bell-Ringing Ceremony, NCCU Chancellor Charlie Nelms rang the bell in honor of the founder Dr. James E. Shepard. Colin Powell attacks critics of Sotomayor WASHINGTON (AP) - Colin Powell, one of the nation's most prominent African-Atnericans. is going after people who attacked Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor because of her stand in favor of affirmative action. Powell, who's from the same Bronx neighborhood in New York as Sotomayor. said she should face "a spirited set of hear ings” in the Senate. But he said the federal appeals court judge, who would be the first Hispanic Justice, shouldn't be condemned for ruling against white firefighters who contended they suffered reverse discrimination. "What we can't continue to have is to have somebody like a Judge Sotomay or... called a racist, a reverse racist and she ought to withdraw her nomination because we're mad at her." Powell said in an interview broadcast July 5 on "State of the Union" on CNN. Powell made it clear that he was referring to critics outside the Senate. "Fortunately, the senators who will sit on this hearing in the Judiciary Committee, after a few days of this kind of nonsense, said. 'Let's slow- down, let's examine her qualifications in the way we're supposed to at a confirmation hearing.'" The commit tee begins hearings July LA. Powell said Sotomayor has "an open and liberal bent of mind, but that's not disqualify ing. But she seems to have a judicial re cord that seems to be balanced and tries to follow the law," Powell, a Republican who supported Obama, said his party still is not sensitive enough toward minorities. He noted that Obama had a significant advantage with His- panics and African-Americans in the November elections. He criticized Republicans who are not elected to office and "imme diately shout racism" against Sotomayor. while accusing Powell of supporting Obama because both men are black. "We still have a problem." he said. Radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh has called Powell "just another liberal." said hq should become a Democrat and charged that Powell endorsed Obama based on race. Powell said July 5 that Limbaugh "doesn't decide who I am or what I am no more than I decide w ho he is or what he is." The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 last June 29 that white firefight ers in Connecticut were unfairly denied promotion because of their race. The justices threw out a decision that Sotomayor had endorsed as an appeals court judge. Long Live the King - Michael Jackson Memorial Leaves Lasting Impression of Worlds ‘Greatest Entertainer’ By Kenneth Miller NNPA Special Correspondent LOS ANGELES (NNPA) - Pro claimed "the greatest entertainer that ever lived'', Michael Jackson made a final jaw-dropping and tear- drawing appearance Tuesday as the Andrae Crouch singers ushered his gold-plated coffin into the Staples Center to the melody of "Soon and very soon. v\ e are going to see the king". It was an emotional iiiemoriai July 7. televised to billions around the world. But for the estimated 20.000 on hand inside the same are na where Jackson rehearsed for the final time just days before lii:-. death, his celebration of life brought home the harsh reaiii) that the most gen erous entertainer the world has ever known is gone. It was a vveli-crafted and fining testimonial for a barrier-breaking entertainer who was often scorned and openK criticized for accusa tions unproven. It was a testimo nial that began with lon^ niomenis of aw kw ard silence bcfon; the first words were spoken. That is w hen iongiiniu r' iend and former Motown Records colleague Smokey Robinson read a passion- . ate statement from cherished Jack- son friend Diana Ross, then another former South African President Nelson Mandela. li was then that Crouch's gospel group sang. "We're Going to See the King" as Jackson's platinum and gold-coated casket was carried from the lunnei and near the stage to the response of abbreviated ap plause and gasps of silence. The King of Pop had final!) ar rived. And while man) ha\e been aware of his kidden death since June 25. this time it was carvinu its wa\ into the depth of our liearts and souls. An oversized screen behind the stage reflected a sideshow of Jackson's life through photos and videos. And above what would be the Lakers' basketball court, the scoreboard read. "Michael Jackson - 1958-2009!" It was a homegoing ceremony befitting an African-American and world-renowned King as a gaia.x) of blacks from the music and sports industry paid the ultimate respect to the ultimate game changer. For mer Lakers great and NBA Hall of Fame basketball star Earvin Magic Johnson and current l.akers star and world champion Kobe Bryant graced the stage as a pair to share reflections, A leaiy-eyed Johnson remembered the time he first met the pop icon and went to meet him at his home. "He asked me what 1 wanted to eat and I ordered some grilled chicken and then Michael came out with a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken," he said to a spatter of laughter and applause. Johnson credited Jackson with influencing his career on the bas ketball court after touring with him and watching his perfoiniance on stage. Just as the two hoop stars spoke for the sports communii)'. multi-tal ented Queen Latifah shared ofa life where she too grew up. inspired b\' Jackson and his brothers' songs and dance. Latifah read a poem from great black poet Maya Angelo. "No clocks can tell our time. No oceans can rush our tides. With the abrupt absence of our treasure, though we are many each of us is achingly alone, piercingly alone. Only when we confess our confu sion can we remember that lie w as a gift to us. And we did have him. He came to us from the creator, trailing creativity in abundance. Despite the anguish, his life was sheathed in the mother love and family love and survived - and did more than that. He thrived with passion and com passion. huiiior and style. We had him." Latifah read. Singer/actress Jennifer Hudson arrives at Staples Center. (Photo by Malcolm Aii/L. A. Sentinel She was among man\ who attended who were influenced by one who is now described as the number one showman in the history of the w'orld. Others in attendance were Chris Brown. Usher. P. Bidd\’. Lil Kirn. Mariah Carey. Lionel Richie. Berry Gordy. the Revs. Jesse Jackson and A1 Sharp- ton. Legendan bo.xing promoter Don King flew from Florida to be w'ith the Jackson familv and mourn his friend. King said after the ceremony. " {he same laws that govern the nation were applicable to Michael Jackson. And he was not proven guilty of any thing in a court of law and his fitting tribute should not be scarred by that. His legacy will live forever." It was Jackson who. as Rev. Al Sharon so eloquently stated, put on one sequined glove and pulled up his pants and brought down the curtain that would open a world of opportunit) for African-Americans. While it ma) have begun with him being the first black artist to have his videos played on MTV. it would also challenge a nation and world who were not comfortable enough w ith blacks to embrace them and keep an open mind about their culture long after Jackie Robinson integrated professional baseball. The Staples Center was packed to the rafters. His legion of fans, those who grew up with him. and those who came to know him as he established and broke his ow n stratospheric barriers, frequently displayed a fierce loy alty that even in his demise could not be altered. Expectant mother Jennifer Hudson, who has experienced her own per sonal family tragedies, sang another of Jackson's hit tunes. "Will You Be There?" And arguabl) the most touching moment came w'Jien Steve Won der told the audience. "This is a moment that i wished I didn't live to see." It was Wonder who was also a child act w ith Motown before Jackson and his brothers arrived. Motown founder Berry Gordy said that calling Jackson the "King of Pop" was not high enough accolades. He received a standing ovation when he told the audience, "1 think he's simply the great est entertainer that ever lived." Longtime Jackson childhood friend Broke Shields was choked with gripping emotion and struggled w ith sharing her moments with her friend. But she told the crowd that Jackson's favorite song was one by Charlie Chaplain, a tune that he never recorded called "Smile." Afterwards, his closest sibling brother Jermaine Jackson stepped on stage to sing. "Smile". And despite his fighting back tears, he made it through the moment, touching the hearts of thousands inside the arena and the billions that watched by television. The person who drew the most animated applause was Rev. Sharon who eulogized. "Eveiy time he got knocked down, he got back up. Eveiy time you counted him out. he came back in. Michael never stopped. Michael never stopped. Michael never stopped!" The crowd roared to a standing ovation, that interrupted his speed for at least two minutes. To Jackson's children. Sharpton implored. "There was nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what your daddy had to deal with." Sharpton told the audience that many of the fans who grew up with Jackson ultimately voted and brought about the first black president in America's - President Barack Obama. Moments of sustained applause were plentiful. U. S. Rep. Sheila Jack- son Lee (D-Te\as) told the crowd. "As a member of Congress we under stand the Constitution and a man is innocent until proven guilty." She received rousing applause as she referred to the defeated charges of child molestation against Jackson. Rep. Lee and the House of Representatives will be voting on a resolu tion that will classify Jackson as an American Legend and Icon. Shaipton was one of several noted clergy in attendance. The Rev. Lu- cious W. Smith of Friendship Baptist Church in Pa.sadena w'as the first of the pastors to speak. Noted civil rights leader and famlK triend Rev. Jesse Jackson was not on the program. Rev. Smith said. "As long as we remember him ' will always be there to "« "
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