PAGE FOUR T H E BENNETT BANNER FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 1984

M ore letters: Alumna to publish novel Nigeria defended; unity demanded by Yolanda DuRant Willa B. Player, and two of have always been healers and This letter is written in response “In Nigeria you undergo a col­ Bragg’s sisters had been peacemakers. People assume to quotations attributed to Omo- lege training period, something Soft-spoken, articulate and Belles. that if a person is strong, she tayo Otoki in a feature written like a technical school for two firm in her convictions are doesn’t have turmoil. So I by Vonda Long. years,” said Tayo. terms which characterize Dr. Bennett fulfilled another important need for Bragg. As told the story from her inner To the Editor: The qualification for entry into Linda Bragg, a former Belle conflicts,” she says. As a full Nigerian, I have to the Nigerian universities is a suc­ who teaches English at a child in Akron, Ohio, she lacked black role models be­ Bragg has no ideas for a straighten up so many things you cessful completion of not less than UNC-G and has a first novel did not say right; either because five courses including English and that will appear this summer. yond the figures in her im­ new novel, but she is “sure it mediate family. The college [inspiration] will come.” you are a half-Nigerian or be­ mathematics passed with Credit Bennett gave Bragg confi­ provided a surplus of models. She’s busy giving lectures cause you are ignorant of the at Ordinary Level General Certif­ dence and direction. The forthcoming novel, and doing freelance writing things you ought to know. icate of Education for entry by “Bennett was a major in­ “Rainbow ’Round My Shoul­ and book reviews. Before I talk about your mis­ entrance examination, or the five fluence on my life. Academ­ der” is Bragg’s first maior Mother of two teenagers, representations on Nigeria — my passes with additional three ically, I felt really prepared work of fiction. She is the Bragg finds it difficult to beloved country, I would like to courses passed at Advanced Level for graduate school, and I author of a book of poems, combine parenthood with her bring you up to date about Ben­ General Certificate of Education didn’t have any trouble “A Love Song to Black Men” career. “It’s a very delicate nett College. You said “I am not for direct enti^ (entry without competing. as well as various poems pub­ balancing act,” she says. impressed with Bennett College; examination) into Nigerian uni­ “Bennett gave me a sense lished in periodicals. As advice to aspiring writ­ it does not have the techniques versities. You do not have to go of direction and purpose, and Bragg’s novel is a partially ers, Bragg says a strong spir­ I am looking for.” What tech­ to a two-year college before you I had the experience of people true story about a psvchic ituality and belief in God are niques? I do not need to tell are accepted into a University in other than my immediate and healer who lived in necessary. Writing must be­ you when Bennett College was Nigeria. family caring about me,” ex­ Greensboro during the early come an obsession in order founded. The school has produced Tayo also said that “In Nigeria, plains the class of ’61 alumna, part of this century. The for a young writer to develop very many educators. bribery is often used.” Bribery is who took a master’s at Case novel dramatizes the turmoil her talent. There are 13 Departments which not often used; however, people Western Reserve and a doc­ the protagonist undergoes Bragg encourages people to offer sound and well balanced use it and others give tips. Tayo torate in Afro-American lit­ because of her gift. write because the world needs programs. Bennett College is an must have misunderstood what is erature and creative writing In writing the book, Bragg poets. accredited and approved institu­ bribery and what are tips. Bribery from The Union Graduate developed a new interest. The writer’s life is arduous tion of higher learning. Many for­ is against the law in every nation School. “I became intrigued with but fulfilling, according to eign students have graduated from including Nigieria. This college was a tradition healing, metaphysics and psy­ Bragg: “It’s a dream. It Bennett College and are now According to Tayo, “I would in her family. Bragg’s aunt chic phenomena while writ­ doesn’t happen that often. We reputable administrators and like to get my degree and return was former Bennett President ing this book. Black women can’t all be Alex Haley.” among the policy makers of their home. . . “I would rather stay countries. here than return and kiss the U.S. Although B'ennett College is not goodbye.” She apparently is con­ designated “Bennett University,” fused and infatuated with the U.S. it has all the potentials of a uni­ at the first sight. She may refute versity which offers only first her statements after she joins the degree. I like Bennett College for system. Defining Mr. Right what it is and will recommend it U.S. is a great nation, a super­ for any person who wants to fur­ power, one of the best nations of ther her education beyond the by Pamela Gary criterion. Dana Rutledge, a soph­ subject of which famous men at­ the world and my second place of high school level. I dream of the permanent residence. Who needs tough guys like omore, says that a well-groomed tract them and why. Marcy Davis, day when I will graduate from “Nigeria, we hail thee. . .” Tayo, Charles Bronson when you can man captures her attention: “His a junior, admires Quincy Jones: Bennett College and call her my you do not bite the fingers that have a hunk like Tom Selleck? appearance has to be neat.” Burch “He is so multi-talented. He uses alma mater. feed you! ! Today women are looking for adds that “if his appearance both his talent and ability in un­ Nigeria is not the only nation the man behind the macho myth. doesn’t appeal to me, my immedi­ limited ways.” Smith admires Nat Veronica Ezekegbu where communication is neces­ ate interest fades quickly.” Phyllis King Cole because of his talent: The emphasis has shifted from sary. You need a form of good Wilson, a junior, says that a neat “He was an outstanding perform­ To the Editor: the “He-Man” qualities popular communication in any societies appearance makes a good impres­ er, and during his time period, during the “Me Decade" to the all over the world in order to get Since my freshman year at sion: “A m an’s appearance makes he never received the recognition more abstract attributes like sen­ along nicely with the environ­ Bennett College motivation on sitivity, warmth and compassion. a definite statement about his that he deserved.” campus seems to have been swept personality. If he isn’t well ment. Nigerians do not pull any­ Susan Smith, a senior, says that Wilson likes actor Tom Selleck: up by a very powerful tornado. groomed, then he probably has a one “back down” because she is to capture the status of being a “He has definite sex appeal and We need to get ourselves to­ very poor self-image.” unable to communicate. In fact, perfect 10 a man must have in­ he is good at what he does.” Effie good communicators are the group gether and motivate one another. tegrity: “He should have pride What comes out of m an’s mouth Hayes, a senior, says that she that may be likely to cheat others We sit around and complain day within himself.” may be more significant than his really admires James Earl Jones: through their communication by day about how boring campus appearance. Lisa Jackson, a jun­ Adrienne Burch, a junior, wants “He is an outstanding actor that process. life is, the food and we even have a man that stands out in the ior, says that if a guy is making never compromises himself.” Tayo must have come from an­ gotten to the point where we are crowd: “He has to have a mind a great first impression, the There is no such thing as the other part of the world and not bored with ourselves. of his own, be very clean-cut and easiest way for him to ruin it is perfect man. But if there were, even a half-Nigerian. Today edu­ Lack of motivation cannot be relatively handsome.” if he talks like a thug: “I get sick he would be an unlikely combina­ cation has reached all parts of blamed on the college as some Looks are still important to of hearing men approach me with tion of today’s superstars. Rut­ Nigeria. Parents who are educated individuals seem to think. You women. Ulonda Beaty, a sopho­ slang like ‘Yo, baby, yo.’ It really ledge says, “He would be a com­ want their children to go as high see, it is we who are not moti­ more, says the eyes and mouth turns me off.” Burch adds that bination of Muhammad Ali be­ as they can in education. Unedu­ vated. We can only make Bennett are what attract her attention good diction is a must. If he cause of his athletic ability, he cated parents know the disadvan­ College w hat we want it to be. first: “If he doesn’t have clean doesn’t speak well grammatically would have to have Billy Dee tages of lack of education and We should bring back a lot of teeth then I don’t want to have she loses interest. Ashley says Williams’ looks, Richard Pryor’s would not let such disadvantages activities we once had. For in­ anything to do with him.” that gjuys that frequently use sense of humor and Michael befall their children. stance, Fun Night was an exciting Yvonne Ashley, a rising senior, slang are usually trying to im­ W arren’s body.” They want their children to be part of the Bennett College at­ agrees with Beaty. “If he doesn’t press you: “Speaking properly to Although individual tastes do educated so that their families mosphere. We have parties on take good care of his teeth, then me impresses me more than using differ, Eddie Murphy’s sense of will see the light and join in the campus, but most of us would he probably has poor personal the current slang. It lets me know humor is in demand along with policy-making of the nation. Ni­ rather go to Side Effects or the hygiene. I love to see a guy with that he is talking to me, not at either Michael Jackson’s or Luther geria is one of the countries of Trevi Fountain instead of sup­ a pretty smile,” Ashley observes. me.” Vandross’ voice and Tom Selleck’s the world that believes in educat­ porting our own Belle sisters. Good grooming is another key Belles are very articulate on the body. ing her people. There are educa­ What is wrong with the moti­ tional programs carried out since vation? It may be because of our Nigeria’s independence as the pessimistic view of Bennett, Universal Primary Education and Hopefully, one day we can all the Free Primary Education. The have some kind of inspiration IS government subsidizes the uni­ that will pursue us to motivation Bonds on our own campus instead of princess versity education for its students. “My dad thinks like an Afri­ someone else’s. by Jacqueline Williams gan on Sunday when repre­ tion this way: “Each Con­ can,” said Tayo. Africans are Sincerely, sentatives received gifts from gressman out of the six dis­ great thinkers and philosophers. Ms. Darlene Smallwood Wendy Bonds, a junior each of the states. On Mon­ tricts that are in South Car­ Most young women in Nigeria Concerned Bennett computer science major, from day, they went to the White olina, submitted a name to Georgetown, S. C., has been today are more interested in get­ Sister House where they met Pres­ the South Carolina State So­ ting education prior to getting elected the 1984 Cherry ident Reagan in the Rose ciety.” Bonds worked as a married. Some may not get uni­ Blossom Princess for South Garden. Later that afternoon, summer intern for Congress­ versity education because of lack Carolina. they met the Washington man Robin Tallon last sum­ of adequate funds and not because Gaye: from page 3 Bonds was selected her Redskins. mer. The only requirement to they want to get married and be state’s princess by the South acles, and the unmistakable grace become a princess was that taken care of by their husbands. Carolina State Society of A Congressional reception of Diana Ross and the Supremes. the aspirant be between the It is known that African (Ni­ Washington, D. C. She repre­ was held in their honor on We never thought Marvin would ages of 18 and 23. gerian) women are very indus­ sented her state in the Cherry Tuesda.y evening. Bonds was leave so suddenly, so tragically. Of the 56 princesses who trious and resourceful. They do Blossom Festival held in the escorted by Senator Strom Who would’ve ever imagined that attended the festival, only the work at home and in the farm, nation’s capital April 1-7. Thurmond, the oldest member he too, would fall victim to such of the senate. Thurmond of­ two were black. The other and are good entrepreneurs, in an early and untimely death? Says Bonds, “The Cherry fered Bonds an opportunity black princess was a repre­ some cases carrying on trade from The grim reality is that Marvin Blossom Festival is the be­ to work as an intern. sentative of the District of one city to the other. The men seemed to have a rather pessimis­ ginning of Spring. The cher­ Columbia. Says Bonds, “I was are the family planners and ad­ tic outlook on life. “Once you ry blossom tree was given to Some of the other events the first black princess of ministrators with the support of reach the top, there’s no place the United States as a gift which occurrpd during the South Carolina.” women. I believe that your dad to go but down,” the singer stated from the Japanese.” The we°k included an Elizabeth Says Bonds, “The most would not think that women did in a television interview. This Cherry Blossom Festival is Arden fashion show, the memorable experience was not need education; hence he statement gives one the feeling of SDonsored annually by the Cherrv Blossom Ball and the having the opportunity to married a nurse many years ago. immense predestination. National Conference of State narade. B'^nds also visited the share with 55 other members However, he may think that girls On the day of Marvin’s death, Societies to coincide with the Japanese Embassv for a re­ in the celebration of the who are poor or failing students he received no elaborate fanfare, blooming of the cherry blos­ ception. The South Carolina Cherry Blossom Festival. It should not waste their time going, no in-depth newspaper writeups soms along the Potomac State Society also sponsored was a great honor to repre­ to the college; it may be better and very few of the musical trib­ River. a reception in her honor. sent the state of South for them to get married and start utes that former Beatle John The week-long festival be- Bonds explained her selec- Carolina.” a family. Lennon got.