IMI Muhammed All Minority Programming Committee

Muhammed Ali Speaks atT.S.C.

by Gene Webb

On Monday November 6th, the problem was created by Muhammed Ali delivered a them. Now, because they have message to Trenton State refused, throughout time, to students. Packer Hall was the rectify their wrong doings, the setting as Ali spent approxi­ responsibility has been left to mately 90 minutes giving what weigh heavily on the shoulders of he termed an "unprepared young white Americans today. speech" on the racial problems The white segment of the in America today. audience reacted to Muhammed Ali emphasized the point that Ali in a quiet and solemn way. Hidden Voice the solution to the Black-white One white student was heard to. race problem lies in Black say, "He was a good speaker but people themselves. He believes a I didn't like the shit he was good place to start would be for talking about." Black people to cast off their White folks won't like what Ali slave names and search for their or any other Black leader is own identity. Ali is very saying because the truth is dedicated to Elijah Muhammed, always hard to face up to; he suggested several times that especially when fault is placed the place for Black people to find on them. themselves is in the Black Muslim faith. As evidence, he referred to a group of Black Muslim brothers present in the audience as being clean, aware, and free from the vices of "the man." Black Muslims believe in separatism; building their own schools, stores, hospitals, and providing their own literature. Ali reinforced this with examples of how integration has not worked for us. He admits that we have come a long way but only the Black man's body is free and not his mind. He said that as soon as most Black men feel they have themselves together financially or otherwise, they change. They feel too good for the Black race, TRENTON STATE COLLEGE now needing white women and the social peer group of the white middle class. One of Ali's most emphatic points and one which he referred to repeatedly was directed to the white people present. He explained to them that it was not directly their fault that Black people were oppressed and maltreated in America. The fault li^s with their ancestors,

Good-Bye Jackie

by Feliz Melendez, Jr. Jackie Robinson, who broke had a family to support and his major League baseball's color manager asked him to stay, "I barrier in 1947, died Tuesday. need a man who can do the job October 24, 1972, of a heart and break this barrier." So attack. IN MEMORIAM Jackie decided to suffer the Jackie was the first Black man hatred and degradation to to be named to the Hall of Fame. realize a dream. When his team He joined the Brooklyn Dodgers played away he would sit on the in 1947 after spending a year with back of the train thinking about Montreal where he led the his family and all the trouble Rebirth International League in hitting. that he had to go through. A ball Jackie won the most Valuable park in Jacksonville, Florida Player award in 1949 with a padlocked its gates just to keeR batting average of .342. Two Jackie Robinson from playing. years prior to his winning the Hotels which housed the Dodgers M.V.P., he was named "Rookie in Philadelphia and St. Louis of th e year." barred him, and there were Jackie was an outstanding hundreds of other little things. Jackie was quiet at first, but in athlete in college, becoming the time he began to talk back to first man at his school to win critics and namecallers. letters in Baseball, Basketball. Everyone remembers the now Football and Track. When Jackie first came to the famous words he used, "I'm a major leagues, people started to human being! I have the right to boo him. He couldn't sleep with talk, haven't I?" his team mates in the hotel, In the second game of the 1972 because many of the hotels were world series between Oakland segregated at that time. In the and Cincinnati, Jackie had the park when he went to get some honor of throwing the first warm up catches or hits before pitch. Prior to throwing that the games, the players didn't pitch he had made a short speech want to catch with him, the John R. Robinson (Jackie Robinson) to the fans and I think those pitchers seldom wanted to throw words will never be forgotten. Born- Jan 31, 1919 "Before I die", said. Robinson, to him and when they did. they Died- Oct. 24, 1972 threw to hit him. "I would like to look down third In the beginning Jackie wanted Age- 53 base line and see a Black face to quit baseball forever, but he managing a major League BLACK JAMAICANS IN Revyou Muvee LONDON,ENGLAND

Oval Four Police Frame-Up "Nothin's changed noj Revyou (Same struggle against the same a goddamned thing". Near the man) end of Ron Milner's "Who's Got . His Own", recently presented on Note: This article is an exact me, I screamed for help. A TSC's campus, these words are reprint as it was sent to us from 'Woman ran to my aid and spoken by the leading character, the brothers in London. This trial grabbed the man who had my a young Black man in his early throat. I m anaged to break loose is still going on. twenties. The truth of the and another grabbed my coat. I matter, however, is that a lot of On Monday 9th October a trial slipped out of it and ran for my things have changed. On a very begun at the Old Bailey in which life. I ran and ran trying to find superficial level, one can see the' someone who would help us. four Brothers from the South mark of t he new day in that very The Last one continues. "The East face 17 charges ranging fact of the play's presence here men had us in the room going from attempted theft, assault on before a largely Black audience, berserk, they were kicking and ' Police, theft, robbery and before a predominantly Black conspiracy to rob and steal. The punching us. When they had audience. Four Brothers said they have finished hitting us, police came In the past, the cultural been framed by the police. The - and then the thugs told the police programs have shied away from experience of the youths in the that they were plain clothes depictions of our own Black community verifies such transport police and that we attacked them. The police took frustrations and insights as a statement. defined by our brothers and These charges arose out of an us away giving us no chance to say what really happened. We sisters. So much so, that a good incident which occurred at the number of Blacks still operate Oval tube station on Thursday were taken to Kennington Police station. When we arrived they with the false understanding that 16th, March 1972. we are latecomers or that One of the defendants state: hastily took us into the cells and beat us again. They told us that we have no culture in certain "We were on our way home from areas. To see an honest response North London. We got off the we were going to sign statements. We refused and we to the oppression Black folks tube* at the Oval to go home .. . experienced through the eyes "Lady Sings Th*» Blues" When we reached the top of the were beaten until we did. We were made to sign statements and ears of one who has actually escalator a gang of white thugs walked in our shoes is a new by Ernestine Mapp grabbed us and pushed us against fabricated by the police linking thing on this campus-a portenet and a wall. They started to hit us and m to crimes we did not of things to come. There is no Bert Campfield swear at us. We asked them who commit". avenue of expression or The visual and auditory captured Billie's style and they were and they told us to This policy by the police of communication that cannot be assault upon your senses was radiance, putting forth a voice so shut up, we'll soon find out. fake arrests followed by beating and should not be used to say induced by the realization that similar that even fans of Billie's Some tried to put their hands in and signed "confession" over and over again what must what you were seeing was as question the tone. Diana paints a our pockets, we fended them off. statements is characteristic of be said. near to a Black existence as portrait of an addict, so lifelike The men surrounded us, about all the arrests affected by one The production of Brother possible. The movie was based either craving for "the stuff" or nine of them. Suddenly one of particular police officer. Milner's play by Princeton's on the biography of Billie suffering from withdrawal, thai them shouted 'fuck it, we'll have DETECTIVE SGT. RIDGWELL Hansberry Arts Workshop Holliday, a jazz singer of the 30's you will cringe in your seats em over there', and they of the British Transport police. beautifully and powerfully said and 40's. which she co-authored Diana's portrayal of Billie attacked us. They were drunk as In one of his arrests in February, some of the things that need to with Howard Dufty. The movie Holliday has surpassed many hell. four Black youths were acquited be heard; to be dealt with. Over wasn't intended to be an exact academy award winning Another Brother took up the of simular charges. Another and over again, it asked the replica of her life, but what was performances. She must truly be story; "We thought the men arrest in the same month question, "How do we throw off shown was Black and truly, praised for this movie debut. were a gang of drunkards who resulted in five brothers being the stifling chains of white beautiful. Bille Dee Williams, estab­ wanted to round off their night's sent to prison. oppression"? Even into our most The first scene opens with lishes himself in a role that drinking by beating up some It appears that the police have private societies, the family, we Billie Holliday (portrayed by is relatively new to the screen. Black youths. When they went no disposition to track down see the effects of accommoda­ Diana Ross), being put in jail. He portrays Louis McKay, the for us, we tried to fend them off criminals. They would rather tion, self-hatred born of mis­ Strait-jacketed and suffering man who gave Billie Holliday and at the same time shout for spend their time lurking in from withdrawal symptoms. h'er trademark of white help. There were a lot of people subways and alleys attacking placed hatred and unexpressed Billie reflects on her past life gardenias. He remains patient standing by. The men punched any individual or groups of Black love. "The Black thing" YYOTO. \.Y\"\s dreary ai\d morbid and toy at to tier tt\rougt\out tt\e and kicked us. TY\ev dragged me youth that may pass. frustration turned inside out. entire film. Whether fighting for This had better stop or the only to emerge in the wrong scene. into a room and started to bang house; raising its ugly Her tragic life takes her from the "big break" or withdrawal. police will be faced with the my head against a wall. screaming head to chase those Baltimore to New York, where Louis is continuously present wrath of an angry Black Another Brother continues. we love from us; to burst full she held a variety of jobs ranging either scolding or comforting community. "One man locked his arm around blown into self loathing. But it is from a clean-up girl in a brothel her. The character is so *tube — subway my throat and started to strangle Tim, Jr., dancing his funny to a prostitute and finally a different, he almost appears dance and struggling to show singer. The events that plagued strange, because we have truth to others while failing to Billie found characterization in accepted a Black Man's role as find it in himself until the her songs. She met an untimely one "with a plan to stick it to the inevitable act of violence stands death in 1959 at the early age of man" or something of this sort. looming in front of him; it is 44. But suddenly this character Tim. Jr. who learns that a long The musical score consists of bursts through, with new pride BLACK and LATIN POETRY line of Brothers before him many of Billie's original tunes and reality. GEORGE JACKSON ROOM combined with a few new themes As "Piano Man", a better 7:30 P.M. fought the inside battle by Michel Legrand. choice than Richard Pryor was November 16 and it must be fought from the The warmth of Billie Holliday impossible. Pryor. who started inside - mother - to - son - to- is excellently portrayed by out with a ten line role which THEINGRAMS IN CONCERT brother - to - sister - to - father- Diana Ross. Instead of trying to was expanded to a major ALSO - H A B I T. to - to headswinging - brother - be a carbon copy of B illie, Diana character, performed both as a AND comedian Maurice Mander reeling - around - those - mean - 8 P.M. Wednesday, December 6 corners - to - hipswinging - Kendall Hall sister - crying that "Niggahs - STAFF Tickets $2.00 for T.S.C. Students $3.00 for others ain't - shit" always from Tickets Available in the Hub the inside. From the soul. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF - Lenny Sample How much love can we send to CO-EDITOR — Miguel Rod riguez the Bothers and Sisters of LITERARY EDITOR - Pamela Smith Praise is in order for this Hansberry? To Ralph Austin, BUSINESS MANAGER — Rosalind Ogburn FROM THE group and its director Terry whose first act certainly melted LAYOUT MANAGER - Wilbert Campfield Steaple, who made the many to soulful torment as he began to ART MANAGER — Qu ency Jones; assistants: Genie Travers and STAFF words take on action and assault realize his awful inheritance. Alice Herring Last issue, Utimme Umana/La our understandings, leading us Measured and direct. Filled with POETRY EDITOR — Chico Chambers; assistants: Sheila Lewis, voz Oculta failed to give Barbara back to our closets for a quiet passion. Black actors working Kelvel and Lavinia Sapp Kellam and Bea Watson credit battle. with so much truth are FEATURE EDITOR — Chico Chambers; assistant: Alberto for their articles. These folks "Who's Got His Own" shows redefining the craft of acting. Rodriguez have worked with the paper us that we have our's our We watched ourselves being PHOTOGRAPHY MANAGER - Richard Williams; assistants: from the onset and have special problems and the freed of century old hassles. James "Butter" Allen and Hawkeye demonstrated that they are solutions. How much living was mah man MUSIC EDITORS - Jimmy and Billy Ingram dedicated members of the staff. doin' up there? NEWS EDITOR - Ernestine Mapp; assistants: Bea Watson, Sylvia Barbara's article was on The Did Moynihan and Co. know Jackson, Gene and Lynn Webb, and Wanda Austin Alvin Ailey dance theatre and about Blacloyal mother who ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER - Donald "Duck" Davis and Dennis Bea's article was on Nixon or stood between him and her "Perky" Thornton McGovern. man's need for purging chaos? CIRCULATION MANAGER - Robert Valley; assistants: Gloria Thanks alot Sharon Brown did. In gentle Westry and Wallace Williams WMcftE C*n you terms, she hid to save: hid the REVIEWS EDITOR - Brent Bishop; assistants: Pamela Smith and truth she knew in hopes that her Sherry Westcott children would be saved by STAFF MANAGERS - Doris Walker and Sheila Coates finding a new truth. And Clara TYPISTS: Bernadette Yeager. How Catrina Moody much truth did she fight through Irene Coleman to find something she could Gerrie Walden publicly share and still function? Midge Mitchell Black on white. Black after Florence Hines white nothing new Pat MacMannis but hard to purge: to end. We Monique Mickens saw it, felt it, shared it as Miss Peggy Godwin Yeager's portrayal fused with Annette Scruggs the others to show us the single FACULTY ADVISER - Don Evans truth that it can't be as it has been. The New Black Sound Spotlight on a JLean Thomas New Black Artist by Beg Watson by Bill/Jim Ingram Sister Elsie J. Graham is a Leon Thomas is not as new as describe the unique voice of sister originally from Newport most people believe. Most people Leon Thomas but it seems that News, Virginia but who is now think that his career started with there are no words that can residing and teaching English in Pharoah Sanders and then capture the full soul experience Newark, New Jersey. Sister blossomed into independent that his voice puts you through Graham was the guest poetess work in the form of "Spirits each time you hear him. He for the African American Known and Unknown." This is moans, cries, yodels, whistles, reception held on October not true. Leon Thomas created and whispers. When he sings, his Those of you who attended the "Spirits Known and Unknown" voice has a mellow, soft, reception can easily indentify before Pharoah Sanders began pleasing tone. He tries to do her poetry by its dynamics and work on "Karma." The album things with his voice that have style. This week Utimme Umana was virtually ignored until it was never been done before in is featuring sister Graham in our recorded again under another traditional music and he is poetry section. label. Also, another major extremely successful. These are the shortest of Elsie reason for his lack of appeal Instrumentally. he relies Graham's poetry. Here are'the initially was that his audience heavily on a type of f lute, piano, rest of h er poetry for file and for was, as yet. unprepared to deal bass and percussion instruments later use. with something so new and so to supply him with background contradictory to existing music although other instru­ standards of music. ments are used. He presently has three albums on the music Leon Thomas is now one of the They Say: The Nominees are: most original and dynamic Black market that are entirely his. IT IS ILLEGAL, BECAUSE OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION OR Other albums feature him as a Jack Webb vocalist around, with a style all NATIONAL ORIGIN, TO: guest artist. When you listen to For his own. The most marvelous Deny a loan for the purpose of purchasing, his albums, a rare magnetism Friday thing about Leon Thomas is that constructing, improving, repairing or envelopes you and when you other accomplished musicians maintaining a dwelling or can not call him a fake, nor can attend a live performance, his Raymond Burr they discredit his style. His past magnetism is multiplied by a For Discriminate in fixing the amount, interest million. It is easy to fall in love Ironside experience with other musicians rate, duration, application procedures or with the voice of Leon Thomas. such as Art Blakely, Ahmad other terms or conditions of such a loan Jamal, Joe Williams, Richard He is into a bag all his own. We Jack Lord would suggest that you check For Davis, Pharoah Sanders and IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE BEEN DISCRIMINATED AGAINST him out, for his bag is full of hip McGarrett others make it a known fact that YOU MAY SEND A COMPLAINT TO: L.T. is an established musician. things. Roger Moore Many people have tried to Assistant Secretary for Equal Opportunity For Department of H ousing and Urban Development Simon Templer Washington, D.C. 20410 'Poetd Effrem Zimbalist Or call your local HUD or FHA office For Chant For Children I SAY: THERE Erskine Later for Tom, Dick, and Jane. If Mike Connors So they got a red wagon, You believe you have been ARE For a dog named Spot. Discriminated against Mannix a white picket fence all around the yard protectin' green grass, SLAP NO Peter Falls. a brand new set of clothes, The For and pancakes for breakfast. Mother SPECTATORS Columbo Fucker I ain't never seen no James Franciscus red wagon, IN For white picket fence, Longstreet green grass, THE pancakes for breakfast. And I Left William Conrad We still have fun though. For We got this basketball court it's real rough, by Ennis V. Harrield REVOLUTION Cannon got glass all over it and stuff After the night was over, and the sun begot the day: and the ball don't bounce too well, I held the memory of yesterday within Richard Roundtree but we still be shootin" that pill. my mind, with naught a word to say. You have written laws, passed bills, For Yeah, and we dodgin' cars, almost gettin' hit sometimes No one was capable of reading my mind, made court decisions about me Shaft 'cause we play baseball in the street, or of experiencing the feeling that I For more than a century. David Janssen ain't enough room no where else. bore; For and vain was the wish that I had begged, With all your laws and bills and court You should see us when only a night before. O'Hara we make them racin' cars out of milk crates and decisions Dare not a cloud form by mid-day, as I My condition has remained unchanged. old wheels that really ain't wheels at all walk on in prayer from rain; Richard Widmark but they alot better then them ole' shiny red For for only this miracle can camouflage Well... I can't eat laws wagons in them books, the tears, that may flow from my eyes Madigan cause WE made 'em. I can't wear laws with pain. I can't spend laws My mama, she don't like where we play and how we play I know of a story that I once read, and George Peppard For Sometimes she get mad found it to be amusing; Looks like I'll have to do BUT she knows that's all we got, but finally experience gave a siminar. to With out law. Banachek 'Cause we live in a ghetto . prove my time misuseing. and we can't have them kinda things that some Like a fallen tree, my roots were torn. Robert Forster people got. from the soil that held me steady ; For I know my mama ain't got the money 'cause and now as a log in a rapid stream, I'll Banyon I know the ole' white landlord is rippin' us turn when I am ready. all off. Empty shoes are often found under many Envelope, Please It don't really matter. a bed, and sometimes for the better; 'Cause I know my mama tries. and better words of hope are often found, The Winner Is: I know my mama love US, too. within an empty letter. It Ain't Easy Footprints have been made upon many a Richard Milhouse Nixon YEAH. darkened road, that can not be traced by Later for Tom, Dick, and Jane. day; by Bob Bailey AND because the rain of truth has come by DAMN SPOT!!!! by SEC dawn, and washed the tracks away. These words to treasure I gave my friends, Today, one of the prominent goal. Many Brothers and Sisters at the forked road bearing left; thoughts in young, Black on campus ask, "How can we, iseme rut and they rewarded me with smile filled people's heads is the concept of such a small minority, help in tears AND I .LEFT. Black Liberation. They try to the liberation of Black people?" express their sentiments by They say, "What can a u>e Spoke. . . S carefui!lit^ as some wearing liberation colors, newspaper do?" Well Brother, What Is Soul wearing afros, and calling one well sister, didn't you know thai nrcen "fence . Mli rust parrj. Soul is rice and beans another "brother" and "sister". liberation starts first in the sandwich. But let's look at ourselves in mind? Yes, we must first get all Soul is skin tight pants and roach reality. We say we want Black people in the same train of killer shoes. liberation but yet we do not act mind, all working for the same ^ut tlorfcuoi.k th e invisible Wife of Soul is saying (Que pasa man?) like Black folks trying to obtain goal. Don't say it can't be done. Check the pages of history and \jou/ masK., ^ See tire game. ending Soul is the Afro-Puerto Rican liberation. Did you think we culture. could obtain liberation by talking you'll find where its been done, Soul es la raza (the race). about it? Well, Brother, sister, I and more than once. Soul is me. can frankly tell you hell, no, it When you start thinking about ijoa are JOUL again— Soul is you. ain't gonna work. numbers, remember — a Soul is us. Work will help us achieve our thousand mile journey begins Que viva la raza. with one step, Chosen Few Football

by Kevin Harris

Excitement is the name of the game, and exciting it was when the Chosen Few football team matched skills with the Pelicans during Independent football League action. The date was Mondav. Oct. 30, when these two teams put their undefeated records on the line There existed in the minds of all the players only one thing — to win - for with'the victory came the championship. The Chosen Few were to definitely have their hands full, playing a team comprised mainlv of former Varsity Football players. This point was to be a dividing factor in the end. which saw the Pelicans defeating the Chosen Few by a score of 20-6, th ereby gaining the victory and the championship. The first play of the game saw the Chosen Few penalized five yards, for on offside. From then on, their game seemed to come Power apart. The Chosen Few had a difficult time with the Pelicans, Black Power but they also had to contend with the officials. They called countless and controversial by Sheila Lewis penalities against the team. Inspite of this, there were a Black Power is few bright spots in the game. Genuine "O.J." and "Mousie" inter­ Power! cepted a number of Neil It means our muscular Kennett's passes. "F.T." ran for Black brothers the lone touchdown of the game using their Superior Black minds. for the Chosen Few. I t hink a lot of credit is due to It means a Cultural the Brothers. This was their first Expansion! season in the league, and they This in itself, is in trim, are already considered a threat with the building for next season. of our Black kingdom. The Chosen Few have scored Vie must not rationalixe; 83 points and have given up on\v But we must 43. T hat's not so bad, is it? Best actualize of luck next season!! our true identity. It's not the color nor the fashions; But it's your heart and soul which identifies you. The real you, Delta Sigma Theta Black! The word Black means The Poles "72" by Geraldine Waldeft Power! by Chico Extraordinary Damn them poles was something Power. Delta Sigma Theta was project was geared toward This Power is so strong and else this year founded in 1913 at Howard informing more Black people Unique; all those write in's and University. The founders about Sickle Cell Anemia, an That Only Black Minds extra hard head scratching envisioned an organization of incurable disease, which mainly can tallies college women pledged to affects the Black race. One Comprehend Sunday, we travelled to three Kinda takes me back to the serious endeavor and community local churches and gave brief ole grandfather clause days service. These youthful students demonstrated a vital concern for talks on Sickle Cell Anemia yea, the old three/fifths On another occasion we stood of the "nigga" clause days social welfare, academic excellence, and cultural in front of a local store, selling but that was so long ago enrichment, and de-emphasized bumper stickers and buttons. seems like a coupla hundred yrs. the social side of sorority life. The donations went to the Sickle done past us all by Their ideals of scholarship and Cell Anemia Association here in And I just bet ole Geo. Washington service have withstood the test Trenton. The same bumper Black Facts is proudly rolling over in his grave of time, and today Delta Sigma stickers and buttons were also rejoicing and humming to his Theta is a public service sold on campus. creator bout how his niggers sorority, dedicated to a program A group of boys from the of sharing membership skills Marie Katzenbach School for the after all these trying yrs. of Deaf were given a tour of our slavery done gained the rights and organizational services in Which African Leader is campus. We were told that they to help elect another of America's the public interest. Today, there President of Tanzania? enjoyed it and were ready for a Great White Presidents. are over 50 t housand members, and more than 300 chapters in 40 return visit. Julius Nyerere, the son of a And that ole devil Lincoln states, and -in the republic of An addition to our previous Chief of the Zanaki tribe, the emancipator who created that Haiti and Liberia. projects is the current became a teacher as well as a great proclamation which freed A grou p of young, gifted. Black® development of a tutorial political activist. He received an all of us natives stolen from women of Trenton State College program. We have set up a tutorial program to aid children arts degree from Edinburgh the swollen bosoms of our motherland had a strong desire to devote from the ghetto areas. These University and returned to I bet ole Lincoln's rolling too, their talents and skills in serving children are helped in areas of Tanzania in 1952. In 1954, he yea, I bet he sho' feel good the community. With this goal in education where they are founded the Tanganyika African bout us niggers after all these yrs. mind, they formed an interest National Union (T.A.N.U.). He group. The Interest Group lacking. The tutoring is being took their demands to the U.N. in finally securing our rights to vote started pledging in November of. done at a community center in 1955. T heir slogan is "Uhuru na especially since we couldn't vote 1970, and in June of 1971 these Trenton. Kazi" — "Freedom and Work." for him, but he sho' freed us slaves huh? women became women of Delta The Delta Sigma Theta Nyerere became chief Damn this is gonna sound crazy Sigma Theta. Sorority is not only interested in minister when the territory as all us Black folk seem to be The Iota Beta Chapter of D elta helping to improve the gained responsible self- but where is Dick Gregory's Sigma Theta Sorority on Trenton environment of the campus government, and Prime Minister name at this year? State College campus pursues community but also the when it was resigned to devote environment outside the I cant find it on the bottom their goal of serving the full time to T.A.N.U. He became campus, making Black people of this talley sheet community in various ways. On president with independence in more aware of the need for unity I must be in the wrong booth? Thanksgiving of 1971, a basket 1961. Tanganyika and Zanzibar was given to a needy family in among themselves. Think about it? were joined into Tanzania in Trenton. Our 1st public service 1964. Political Parties New Africa n Citizens Con victed African American and Puerto Rico Studies, 'Needs You ' by Vilma Hernandez MERIDAN, MISS. (AANS) Elections are held in Puerto The party advocating Rico to determine the status of independence feel that Puerto Several years ago, a group of the island in regard to being a Rico need no longer be interested Brothers and Sisters Commonwealth, and associated with the United met with the college Independent Republic or State. States nor any northern Despite the conviction of a third officer (Hekima Ana is said to administration to discuss the The group that advocates American country. This party is member of its citizenry on have done that), he was armed need for an African-American' commonwealth does so using the very nationalistic not only in accessory to murder charges and in the house shooting. Studies program. Following the platform that Puerto Rico can dealing with Puerto Rico itself, here, the Republic of New Africa (Under the vague Mississippi trend of colleges all over the exist and will benefit more by but also in dealing with Latin has maintained that such statute of accessory to murder, country, Trenton State merely being a protectorate of America. They feel that Puerto setbacks are only "temporary." anyone who by word, action or established, as a part of the the United States. They feel that Rico has been exploited by Though "saddened and encouragement is involved in a college's academic curriculum, Puerto Rico is not strong enough Yankee domination of schools, discouraged" by the jury's guilty crime, is also guilty of the a course of study related to the to exist as an Independent businesses, and governmental verdict in the case of 16 year-old principal. The law is remarkably study of our culture and Republic, nor on the other hand policies. Their ideology stems Karim Njabafudi RNA president similar to the California state heritage. . that it should be a state of the from socialist roots but do not Bro. Imari Obadale said that the conspiracy statutes under which Needless to say, there have Union because they would be always follow that pattern. The organization's "relentless Angela Davis was tried been ups and downs in the life subject to taxes and various independence party consist of struggle for justice andior Black unsuccessfully for murder in span of the program, which has economic restrictions. several different factions such freedom and economic connection with the Marin recently become a department The parties that advocate as Puerto Rican Independence development goes on." county courthouse escape and is in the process of planning statehood do so on the platform Party (P.I.P.), Federacion "Unless the civil liberatarian attempt.) for a major in African-American that Puerto Rico would benefit Universitaria Pro Independencia rement is destroyed in the The same reasoning on the Studies. But we are here now more economically and (F.U.P.I.) a student Supreme Court," Bro. Imari part of the prosecution was used and, under the leadership of Dr. •politically by being the 51st organization advocating predicted "we shall win all three in the case of Quddus, except Frank Myyers, we will probably state. Their ideology is basically Independence and others. Even cases on appeal without a that in that instance, it was stay. What is needed at this point capitalistic. They feel that though these parties advocate doubt." claimed that he was actually in is a definite commitment from Puerto Rico should be Independence there are The conviction and subsequent the same room with Ana. the Brothers and Sisters on the Americanized, industrialized, ideological differences causing life sentence of Njabafudi The primary evidence against campus. and that the people should adopt conflicts and rivalries. (Larry Jackson) came on Sept. Ana consists of a mere palm Given the energetic cries for and assimilate the American 25, after only three hours of print on the gun which is alleged more concentration on the needs way of life. deliberation by a jury of ten to have fired the fatal shot from and interests of Minority whites and two Blacks. Also a particular angle inside the Students, it is amazing that so found guilty of murder and given house. According to informed few of us take advantage of the Wat Y'all life sentences months earlier RNA officials, this general courses offered through that were Hekima Ana (Thomas E. theory, around which all other department. It is the only Norman) and Offaga Quddus convictions are being built, has department that was set up 'bout (Wayne James). not been solidly confirmed by specifically to deal with our The convictions stem from police ballistics reports. world from our perspective. The The Board of Trustees this year is embarking on a new course of charges of murder and other Noting that the conviction of courses in AAS have a action. They have indicated to the President, Dr. Brower, that they miscellaneous crimes against 11 the third RNA citizen came at a guaranteed value. The faculty is would like to "get to know" the student body on a more personal level. New Africans arrested during time when the perpetrators of made up of interested and Their plan in carrying out this objective is to meet student groups or assaults on Jackson, Miss. RNA several notorious crimes against knowledgeable professors in a factions in face-to-face informal meetings. offices on Aug. 18, 1971. During Black people in Mississippi were variety of disciplines — people The initial meeting took place last Wednesday between "groups" of the raids by an estimated 40 being set free after either short who are here for us. Black students, the Board of Trustees, and various members of the Jackson police and Federal jail terms or official decrees, The schedule of courses, for Administration. Generally, the meeting was for the information of the Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Bro. Imari cautioned that such second semester will be Board of T rustees. Benny Barnes, the Black Associate Dean, acted as agents, a Jackson lawman, Louis injustice was ironically coming published by this paper. It is discussion leader. He called on various Black Student Representatives Skinner, was killed. to an end. hoped that students will look at who, in turn, gave brief general presentations about their The most recent trial lasted "A tottering system of evil their needs (academically and organizations. only one week from beginning to sometimes looks strongest just soulwise) and avail themselves Several important points were brought out, but the meeting was end. The defense, led by attorney before it falls," said Bro. Imari. of the offerings. generally low keyed. The Board absolutely made no commitments. "And this evil system of justice Although they were presented with a concrete proposal concerning the John Brittain, used up all of its pre-emptory challenges against shall fall." student activities fee, which will be discussed further, later on this biased jurors and also moved in Bro. Imari said the three RNA year. However, everyone left the meeting with a feeling of hope. vain to challenge the jury citizens would be "vindicated selection process itself. and freed." In the name of Black The prosecution alleged that self-defense, he called for Njabafudi took part in the increased Black unity "to The Black King If a TUT Could Talk shooting of S kinner, specifically expunge this evil and better our I Imagination> that although he did not pull the lives," adding that "with faith trigger of the gun that killed the and work together, victory will The weather is getting warm, Must Be Black! be ours." flowers are beginning to bloom, by Lavinia Sapp the grass is turning green, and • the cold deadly things of nature William Marshall, who Henry Christophe. leader of a are corning alive. What would national revolution in Haiti recently portrayed Blacula, you do if you w ere walking along, and suddenly a tree said, "hell against racism and exploitation, pointed out to Quinn. "there o"? Would you say hell o back, will be portrayed by Anthony exists an abundance of Black or would you not respond Quinn in an upcoming film. actors with the qualifications to thinking someone was playing a game? It tias been proven that play Christophe. The role of Christophe was born a slave in trees can riot ta lk, but is it really the British West Indies in 1767. Christophe does not have to be that we are merely unable to hear what they are saying'' and later served as a lieutenant played by an already certified A ta lking tree could be a great under Toussaint L'Overture. box-office winner." Marshall listener Many people who have After claiming a separate state went on to point out "that the problems and no one To tal k lo could solve them by discussing in northern Haiti, he proclaimed problem lies not in the actors' them Willi the trees A tree is himself King Henry I. Anthony interest or ability, but in the born, raised and dies in the same spot. Being in one place for Quinn's intention to portray the reality that producers and hundreds of years, there are Haitian hero has stirred distributors have shown no many things that can bo told by a controversy among Black interest in backing a Black actor tree: History can be spelled out in its true version; stories of writers and actors. who wishes to play a Black king lovers through the years ran be Quinn feels he is within his in a story of successful slave told ui the most sentimental way. revolution and independent "civil rights" to portray a Black The wonders of nature are FROM THE STAFF: man or any man he chooses. He nation building." Marshall urged seen in a tree, but do we really by Lenny and Bert know what it is lo be nature? stated in a letter to William Quinn to finish the picture, but to This is your newspaper, if it is to be as effective as possible it When it conies to littering, forest star a Black actor in its leading Marshall, a Black Shakespearian needs your help. We are speaking of you, the non participant fires, and chopping wood we can actor, that he is sure, "if Sidney role. who could be working with the paper. Don't be shy, whut y'all not feel the pain I'erhaps these injustices would lie ceased if a Poitier, Harry Belafonte, or The Marshall-Quinn Letters 'bout we're 'bout. tree could tell you how it f elt James Earl Jones felt qualified can be read in the June issue of Now, the paper needs more folks, particularly in the area of A tree is real It lives and it dies Listen In how it sings with a to do the role, they would have "Black Scholar". reporting news. But we also can use your talents in other places. So come on in and rap with us 'bout it. breeze and how it cries in the initiated the project long ago." Anyone interested in joining We are moving in a direction, but we need you to take us rain Maybe this is a case where Quinn seems to be inferring that Black writers and actors in people heai but they do not there. listen Tliev see. but they do not either Black actors are not support of making the "Black (eel interested nor do they consider King Black", may write directly Florence Mines themselves capable of doing the to the Haitian Consulate. 4400 role of Henry Christophe. 17th Street. North West. Washington. D.C. 'Lady Day' Back Home comedian and as an actor. The relationship that develops- vx>rVh +\me PVieoe is no by Marguerite (Midge) Mitchell between Billie and "Piano Man" So -j-heoe nnosp be room -VoG is intense and enveloping. PGH-i<2.Nce -Phene \e> -Po be. "Piano Man" provides the humor and the understanding Xmie. -|or e.ve.e\f •VVimg." necessary to help Billie and to entertain the audience. The World Airlines Jet took off Americans had forgotten that Many analogies can be drawn from the Massachusetts Airport they were children of Africa. I from the movie, such as the with approximately 200 Black had a close friend in the Ivory white man's strongest control and 20 white students. The Coast who had been quietly over the Black people through Blacks were glad that at last watching all these Americans. I drugs. This message comes they were leaving this racist asked him if the Black across in a scene where Billie is country and going back to the Americans were any different nodding in a bathroom that is so Motherland. from the white Americans, other white that it is almost blinding. In preparation for the flight to than skin color and hair? Did The movie is two hours and the West Coast of Africa, the they relate to the Africans any twenty-four minutes long, but at Black students had a rap session differently? "No," he said, "you the end, you almost beg for on how Black Americans would all act the same." That's how more. This film provides the act towards their African much we were acting "bou'sie". younger generation, those of us brothers and sisters, and how the using false pretenses to fulfill who missed Billie Holliday, the African would receive them as a your own inability to be yourself. blues, the 30's and 40's. with a whole. Many bloods had the But in reality the Black man in vivid picture of reality of those feeling that when they got to America is just like the Black times. The pomade slickness of Africa, they would be warmly man here striving in all the men's hair, the ancient welcomed; that they would be directions for survival. automobiles, the styles and "home." They were right; our The most abundant food in fashions which one could wear, brothers and sisters did not want West Africa is gari. a yellowish today without eccentricity, us to return home after our stay. paste-like substance made from reveal a lifestyle, which has However, we did leave over 50 of roots. Gari makes up the largest been too soon forgotten. But in our own people there, because part of the African meal, and it all, it tells the story of an epic they felt at home and decided is eaten everyday. But gari has- personality who most of u s never that this is where they wanted to almost no nutritional value. It's knew and why she sang the spend the rest of their lives. major purpose is to fill the blues. Life there is reality; no stomach and thus ease the discrimination in color, age, hunger pains. Nutrition would business, etc. People live and let come from what is served with live. Their clothing was different the gari; a small amount of fish in -the sense that they were soup, or if you're lucky, some clean; no jeans but dress pants chicken. African children are (not bells) but people were still easily struck down by malaria, together. Africans, in public, try dysentery, diarrhea, pneumonia, their best to be neat and clean. tuberculosis, schistosomiasis, It was very nice to see and other diseases. Once a child beautiful Black faces all around is struck down, the odds are you everywhere you went. They strong that he or she will not seemed extremely happy that survive. One reason why African DllNCHH' OF the brothers and sisters decided women keep having children is to come back home. Anything that they have to have nine or ten you asked, if within their power, to end up with any family at all. § would be given to you and The more children you have the a anything to be done was done more people there are to work MHU o without question, for you see the land, to herd the animals, to rti time didn't mean anything to fetch the water. A- c 3 them. How many brothers and Every year more and more sisters you know would be this Blacks visit Africa. The o consistent? majority wanted to stay. But on 5 The middle class Blacks are 3 September 7, 1972 Afro- mm 9 definitely leaving their mark. Americans crowded the Abidjan They are leaving a distorted Airport. Checking in for the 3. impression of what Black people return flight to the U.S.. sisters X in America are like. In ACCRA wore head wraps, and braids, $ 0 (the capital of Ghana) for and ankle-length dresses 3 K example, I met a brother who purchased in the market where o c said he was a teacher at a they only paid about 3 dollars for -*• & and said, "Later, brother." He Most of the Americans were O was trying already to exploit all on board, exhausted, the people who really don't have smell of marijuana was heavy in ifi anything. & the air because you can buy 2 Secondly we are even leaving a lbs. for less than $2. Most X Nevee bod ~Por -fuclp, o false impression with African conversations were loud. One Vxjiiln MO " IN z people about how dark or rather brother said, "When I g et home, / Phe rTVoPher\pNd. how light we are. If you lined up the first thing I want is TRENTON STATE COLLEGE all the Blacks who have gone to a McDonald's hamburger." Africa, with the deepest black to Another brother said, "I can't the left and the highest yellow to wait to sleep in a real bed." the right, most of us would be Bits of conversation like this crowded in on the right side. This continued until the majority of again reflects the fact that most us fell asleep. When w.e woke up of visitors are from the middle and saw what looked like class, because historically the America among the clouds, one middle class has been lighter in brother commented "Man. don't skin color than the masses of the you feel weird coming back people. And last but not least the here?" Hey personal impression that we Who gets to go to Africa? The leave with Africans is the same ones who have the time and the impression that whites leave. In money or those in high positions the Ivory Coast, for example, the and who know the right people. Black Americans, and the white In my case, I applied through Americans were all touring over Lake House. Complete the Eulogy Abidjan in small groups. There forms, have a cum. of 1.8 or THE MISERY OF BLACKNESS were places to see. pictures to better and for God's sake, show take, francs to spend. I wondered up on time for your interview, team!" But Jackie will never if in the confusion the Black Misery is when you start see this dream come true. and the opportunity can be to play a game and someone yours! Maybe we will. Who will be the begins to count out first one; Willie Mays. Hank Eenie, meenie, minie, mo... Aaron, or Roberto Clemente? Jackie, you will be in our hearts forever. Rest in Peace.