NATIONAL
Clinton remembers Daisy Bates ,
WASHINGTON, D.C. - President Bill Clinton issued a statement
recently lamenting the death of civil rights leader Daisy Bates.
Ms. Bates, who with her husband published the black weekly newspaper
the Arkansas State Press, died Nov. 4 after a lengthy illness.
She was 86. ?"
"Hillary and I were very saddened to learn of Daisy Bates' death this
morning," the statement read. "She was a dear friend and a heroine. She
was known chiefly as a leader during the crisis of Central High School in
1957 and a mentor to the Little Rock Nine. But, she was so much more.
"President Kennedy so admired her for her civil rights work that he
hired her to work in his administration. During her 84 years, she received
over 200 awards for her civil rights work - including the NAACP's esteemed
Spingam Award. In 1957, the Associated Press named her one of the Top
Nine news personalities in the World.
"We were blessed to have Daisy as a citizen of Arkansas, where she and
her husband. L.C., published the award-winning Arkansas State Press
newspaper. For over 30 years, it was the qnly African American newspaper
in the state. Her death will leave a vacuum in the civil rights community, the
state of Arkansas and our country. Her legacy will live on through the work
she did, the friends she made and the people she touched."
INTERNATIONAL
Child prostitution on the rise in Congo
POINTE-NOIRE. Republic of Congo (IPS) - Child prostitution is on
the rise in Pointe-Noire, the Republic of Congo's main port and economic
capital, causing concern for municipal officials.
"We're aware of this problem, which has picked up speed over the past
two years after many displaced persons arrived here from neighboring
areas. We are currently putting the finishing touches on a plan to combat it,"
said Luc Francois Makosso. mayor of Pointe-Noire.
The population increase of 500,000 to 1. million has been bolstered by
massive migration from war-torn neighboring zones, the theater of opera
tions of the continuing war between militiamen loyal to deposed President
Pascal Lissouba and government forces.
Most of the children are orphaned or abandoned young boys between
the ages of 7 and 15, who sell their bodies to pedophiles as a means of sur
vival.
Without tough laws, observers fear the phenomenon could spill over
into the big cities and affect youths who do not have the means to protect
themselves against sexually-transmitted diseases like AIDS. - Louis Okam
ba \ '
Jamaicans: Poverty level still high
M0NTEGO BAY, Jamaica (IPS) - According to the Jamaican govern
ment's recently released "1998 Survey of Living Conditions," poverty levels
have fallen, but it is an assertion which ordinary citizens struggle to relate to
their daily lives.
The survey indicates that poverty levels are now at a 10-year low, mov
ing from 30.5 percent in 1989 to 19.9 percent in 1997 and 15.9 percent last
year.
"This is largely the result of the low rates of inflation achieved since
19%, and the efforts of the National Poverty Alleviation Program, launched
in 1995, the Jamaica Social Investment Fund, and the Social Development
Commission, among others," the report states.
"They (figures) don't have any significance to me; they don't mean any
thing," said lead economist Dr. Omri Evans "The per capita income, which
is used to measure what is happening with welfare and poverty in a country,
is not showing any increase As a matter of fact, the per capita income in
1998 registered a 1.7 percent decline below '97, and as an economist, that is
the best indicator I use to see what is happening with poverty in a country."
"Like most Jamaicans my feeling is that when you look at the material
conditions that exist in the economy, the absence of growth in particular, the
problems in relation to the fiscal deficit, it clearly is not a climate in which
anyone could boast of any serious gains in poverty reduction or allevia
tion," said financial analyst Errol Gregory. - Dionne Jackson Miller
U.N. tribunal visits Rwandan genocide sites
ARUSHA, TANZANIA (IPS) - Five years after starting its work, the
Tanzania-based International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda made its first
ever trip to Rwanda to visit sites where the 1994 genocide was committed
against Rwanda's minority Tutsis
The ICTR visit to the Kibuye district in Rwanda, where more than
25,000 Tutsis were massacred, was prompted by the tribunal's seventh trial
of Ignace.Bagilishema. who was mayor of the district during that time.
"I would like to stress that this is strictly a judicial activity and that is
why it will not be mixed with protocol activities in relation to Rwandan
authorities such as courtesy calls or meetings," said Kingsley Moghalu, the
tribunal's spokesperson.
Bagilishema is charged with eight counts of genocide, complicity in
genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, in the four counties of
Mabanza, Gitesi. Gishyita and Gisovu, within the Kibuye district which he
presided over.
Bagillishema, who was arrested in February in Pretoria, South Africa,
has pleaded innocent to all the charges. Judith Achieng.
INDEX
OPINION _ _ A6
SPORTS _ SI
RELIGION _ B6
CLASSIFIEDS _ 19
HEALTH _ C3
ENTERTAINMENT __ C7
CALENDAR A9
This Week In Black History...
Now. IS, 1900 - Noted theologian Howard Thurman is bom in Day
tona Beach, Fla. Thurman, who studied at Morehouse College with
the Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr.. is the founder of the interracial
Church of Fellowship for All Peoples. He will author more than 20
books and become the first black professor at Boston University in
1953.
Now. 19, 1797 - Isabella Baumfree is born in New York. Baumfree,
who will change her name to Sojourner Truth in 1843, will gain inter
national fame as an abolitionist and women's rights activist.
Nor. 24, 1S83 - "Father of Black College Sports" Edwin Bancroft
Henderson is bom in Washington, D.C. The pioneering educator and
I coach will help organize the Negro Athletic C onference, Interscholas
tic Athletic Association and the Colored Inter-Collegiate Athletic
Association , now the CIAA.
Proud FTCC grads earn GEDs
BYT. KEVIN WALKER
THE CHRONICLE
They didn't let the clouds
above rain on their parade.
The ceremony had to go on.
A lot of old adages could have
applied last week as a sudden
downpour washed out a gradua
tion procession line, sending
dozens of cap-and-gown-clad stu
dents scurrying.
They found refuge fropi the
chill and the rain inside of Wake
Forest University's Wait Chapel,
where they used a dual flight of
stairs to reassemble the line
As they waited to march
before their family and friends,
the graduates passed away the
minutes with laughter and chit
chat. They reminisced about the
good times they'd shared together
and spoke with grandeur about
the future.
After it was all over, a dream
had come true for more than 200
local men and women. They
walked off with Adult High
School Diplomas or GED certifi
cates from Forsyth Technical
Community College.
For many of them, it was the
first graduation of their lives.
They were young and old,
black and white, married and sin
gle. Before entering their respec
tive programs, many of the stu
dents had not seen the inside of a
classroom for more than a
decade; others made costly mis
steps at public schools and
entered the programs to earn a
few credits.
"All of them have their own
stories, but they all have overcome
some obstacles to get here
tonight," said Desna Wallin, pres
ident of Forsyth Tech.
For the Class of 1999, the'
obstacles were both mental and
physical. They included unexpect
ed pregnancies, hospitalizations,
low self-esteem and feelings of
inadequacy.
But past mistakes, and long
standing hurdles didn't matter
much at the ceremony. As the
grads took turns walking across
the stage - securing their degrees
in the process - they seemed not
to have a care in the world. As one
FTCC staffer put it, now that they
have diplomas and GEDs under
their belts, the graduates feel that
Photo by Kevin Walker
More than 200 Forsyth Technical Community CoMege students wcdked away with 0B> or Adult Ftgh School Diplo
mas Airing a ceremony last week at Wake Forest University. Above, studentt prepare to match into Wait Chapel.
u ' '? * ?
they can conquer the world.
Here are some of their stories:
Against all odds
Kevin Bodenhamer's name
seemed to be on everyone's lips at
the ceremony. His GED instruc
tors debated his whereabouts as
the minutes till the big event
ticked away.
FTCC administrators often
brought up his name as an exam
ples? the kind of drive and deter
mination that exists in this class.
But Bodenhamer, 27, took all
the attention lightly
Blind since 1995, Bodenhamer
recalled his journey to graduation
with modesty. Only when pushed
a bit does he concede that his
accomplishments are not run-of
the-mill or average.
"Well, it wasn't the easiest
thing I've done," Bodenhamer
said with a wide smile as he wait
ed for the ceremony to begin.
He spent nearly 40 hours with
a basic skills instructor, complet
ing both the pre-test and GED
test orally.
Even the essay portion of his
test had to be done orally. Boden
hamer had to verbally place punc
tuation marks and spell words as
a scribe wrote for him.
He dirf the math portion of the
test in his head. Complex angles
and degrees had to be described
to him by an instructor.
"His ability to retain informa
tion is phenomenal," said Dick
Johnson, the man who was
Bodenhamer's eyes and hands
throughout the process.
Bodenhamer left high school
long ago. Today, he says he really
doesn't know why he decided to
turn his back on his education all
those years ago. But he doesn't
have to think long about his rea
sons for returning.
"I'm just looking for a better
job, a better life I'm hoping to
go into computers," he said.
By his side through his daily
trips to FTCC's West Campus
was Elliott, his trusty seeing-eye
dog. As people made a beeline to
I ?
Bodenhamer at the ceremony,
they looked down expecting to see
Elliott in his usual position. But
Elliot didn't make it to the event.
Danny Bodenhamer, Kevin's
brother, played guide, ushering
Kevin around the chapel and onto
the stage to receive his certificate.
"We are really proud of him
at home," Danny Bodenhamer
said, holding firmly to his broth
er's hand.
The folks at FTCC have not
seen the last of Kevin Boden
hamer. He has just completed
placement testing and will start
taking college courses at the
school's Main Campus in January.
Fulfilling an old promise
* ?
As hordes of people began to
file into Wait Chapel, scrambling
for the best seats, Rodney Dewalt
sat alone quietly in the back of
the chapel, holding his still
unwrapped cap and gown in his
See Graduation on A8
Manhattans to
perform at gala
SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
Famed recording artists The
Manhattans will highlight an
evening of
Snuth
fun, food
and other
festivities at
the 22nd
anniversary
of the Win
ston-Salem
Urban
League's
Equal
Opportuni
ty Day
Founders'
Black and White Gala.
This year's event comes on the
heels of an exciting EOD Gala last
year, during which the Urban
League celebrated its 50th anniver
sary and the gala raised nearly
$50,000.
The EOD gala will be held
Nov. 19 in the Grand Pavilion
Ballroom at the Adam's Mark
Hotel. Tickets are S75, a portion
of which is tax deductible, and can
be purchased at the Winston
Salem Urban League. For more
information, call the Urban
League at 336-725-5614.
"Once again, this is an oppor-'
tunity for the community to recog
nize through its support of the
EOD Gala the tremendous role
that the Urban League plays in
providing meaningful programs
that help community residents
attain self-sufficiency," said
Delores "D" Smith, president and
chief executive officer of the Win
ston-Salem Urban League. "We
believe that, once again, the com
munity will step up to the plate."
In addition to the live enter
tainment and good food, there
also will be a Silent auction and
plenty of door prizes. All proceeds
will benefit the Winstoii-Saleni
Urban League programs for
youths, adults and seniors in the
community.
In keeping with the overall mis
sion of the Urban League move
ment, the board of directors spon
sors the annual fund-raiser to sup
port programs and services provid
ed to African Americans, other
minorities and disadvantaged citi
zens within the community.
"The theme for this year's gala.
? V ' r
> *
'Celebrating the New Millennium
and Our Corporate Partners,' wilt
serve to strengthen our support
system, our corporate partners
and promises an even brighter
future for those impacted by the
See Urban Laagiw on
WSSU students unveil marketing plan;
Unique program pairs students with local car dealerships
BY CHER1S HODGES
THE CHRONICLE -
A group of students at Win
ston-Salem State University got a
dress rehearsal for the real world
when they presented a marketing
plan to a local dealership.
The 11 students, calling them
selves Y2SU Enterprises, which
stands for year 2000 Old State
University, did not use a textbook
to create this plan - they jumped
into the project feet first.
The students are a part of the
General Motors Marketing
Internship program.
"This is a very good learning
experience," said Dr. Alican
Kavas, professor of marketing.
The internship is a part of the
marketing communications class
he teaches.
The students' mission was to
raise awareness of Bob Neill Ponti
ac among consumers ages 18-34.
They were given $2,500 to make
their ideas concrete.
Last Tuesday. Y2SU Enterpris
es put all of their research to the
test The dealership brought over
six cars from the Pontiac line. Stu
dents were given a chance to touch
and smell the car, which was posi
tioned in front of the Thomas Stu
dent Center.
Y2SU gave prizes for the stu
dents to win and games for them
to play when students stopped to
view the cars. "Students began by
filling put entry forms," said
Lawandria Penn, vice president
and promotions chairperson for
the group.
After the students completed
registration, they were given the
opportunity to look at the interi
ors of the featured cars, the Ponti
ac Sun fire and Grand Am.
Before the students got the
green light for the "Fall into
Excitement Festival," the promo
tions department of Y2SU had to
present its research findings to the
representatives from Bob Neill
Pbntiac.
The representatives from the
dealership, a General Motors rep
resentative and a host of WSSU
professors listened to an hour-long
presentation by the students.
Pamela Ford, a junior, presented t
the results of the research and i
defined the market most unfamil- 1
iar with the dealership - Genera- y
tions X and Y. j
"This was a new experience i
that was a benefit to me," she said 1
after the presentation. Ford admit
ted she was a little nervous when t
she started speaking, but the ner- s
vous feeling quickly disappeared. 1
Penn, also a junior, said the f
stress she felt while working with 1
the group has helped prepare her t
for the real work world. "We have \
gained real world experience
through Bob Neill's generosity," t
she added.
"When you work in a group r
like this it is very hectic." said c
Meredith Moser, a member of the
budget committee. "We learned 1
the importance of wdrking togeth- c
er." a
"We all had to work together in t
an effective manner." Stephanie c
Ijames. a member of the budget s
committee, elaborated.
Most of the students who par
id pa ted in the GMAC internship
program were marketing or sports!
nanagement majors. Keaton;
Wells, a senior and president of the
;roup, said even though he is not a
narketing major, the internship,
las helped him immensely.
"I am a business administra
ion major," he said. "(The intern
ihip) showed me how to market!
nyself." Wells said when it is time
or him to enter the work force, he
vill know how to present himself
o his future employers because ?f
vhat he learned with GMAC. t~
"It was a great privilege and
thallenge for us," Moser said!
'We have learned a lot about ther
eal world by participating on this
:ommittee."
The dealership owner, David
^eill, was impressed by the stu
lents' efforts. "I really appreciate
ill of the work you all put into
his," he told the students. He
ailed the research an eye opener,
ince many of the students polled
Srr Y2SU cm AS
I /