Anti-Draft March Gets Little Support
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A member of the Campus Digest News Service and the National News Bureau. VOL. XXIII, NO. 7 Atlanta, Georgia March 12, 1980 Anti-Draft March Gets Little Support By Bridgett M. Davis February 14, 1980 at Morehouse college. On Friday, February 28, 1980, The group’s orange and black the members of the Black banners read, “Stop the U.S. War Students’ Coalition of Atlanta Drive”, and “No Draft No Way”. (BSCA) sponsored a protest mar- For a while, the members patien ch/rally at the Russell Building at- tly waited to recruit interested the corner of Mitchell and Spring persons from the many passer- St. The turn-out, however, was sbys, then the fervored cries of unexpectedly low. Only a few of one enthused young man could the BSCA members themselves be heard within the immediate were initially present at the pre vicinity as he yelled, “Hell no! arranged starting time of three We won’t go! Hell no! We won’t o’clock. go!!!” Eventually, the small group of dedicated followers were led The BSCA was formulated by Robert Booker, a sophmore at especially for the anti-draft Morehouse, outward to Chestnut issue.Their previous par Street where they began a small ticipation has been much more yet determined procession. In an encouraging than the turn-out for attempt to collect more the march. Their first meeting followers as tney progresses, the was held at Spelman on February marchers traveled around the en 2nd, where at least fifty in tire Atlanta University Center, terested persons attended. The but few if any joined the ban The Black Students’ Coalition of Atlanta sponsored a protest march on February 28, second meeting, which was held dwagon. The group was very 1980, led by Robert Booker, a sophomore at Morehouse College. The small group of in the Manley Center’s Upper disappointed but not marchers traveled around the entire AUC. Concource, boasted nearly 200 discouraged, and as one member attendants. Rowena Saunders, a stated: “There were more par Spelmanite, spoke out fervently ticipants than this on the anti- at this meeting, asking for sup klan march, where they had to port and action. Ms. Saunders catch buses to get to the place. Mugabe Wins In Zimbabwe was unfortunately, however, not For this, they only had to walk a in attendance at the march. A few blocks.” press conference was also held on See STUDENT MAKCH, p. 4 By Kiron Skinner seats in Parliament. Third place Was taken by former Prime The first major steps in for Minister Bishop Abel Muzorewa mation of a new Zimbabwe with 8.2 percent of the votes and Kennedy government were completed on three seats. In an earlier election, Tuesday March 4, 1980. The Ian Smith’s Rhodesian Front Par Visits AU Registrar General Eric Pope- ty received 20 seats in the in By Shelia Reid Simmonds reported that Robert dependence Parliament. Mugabe’s Zimbabwe African Mugabe also announced that The Atlanta University Center National Union-Patriotic Front the white commander of received direct exposure to the Party received 62.9 percent of Rhodesia’s armed forces, Lt. nation’s current presidential the vote in the country’s election- Gen. Peter Walls, will remain the race on Thursday, March 28th. an absolute majority. military chief. (Walls led the Robert Kennedy Jr. appearing According to the March 4th seven year struggle against the in the Dean Sage building at edition of the Atlanta Journal, Atlanta University, spoke out on “The victory was all the more guerrillas) The decision to keep behalf of his uncle. Second son remarkable since nine parties Walls was made to assure of the late Senator Robert contested the 80 seats reserved Mugabe support from the coun Kennedy, Robert Kennedy Jr. for blacks.” try’s 30,000 man security forces. is the nephew of the presidential After the election results were candidate Senator Ted Ken Mugabe stated that the new made known, jubilant crowds nedy. His arrival was in re Zimbabwe government will in filled the streets and the center of sponse to a series of invitations clude posts ior his chief guerrilla Salisbury. The army and police extended to Ted Kennedy and rival, Joshua Nkomo, and mem were also present to secure peace all candidates from the AUC bers of the conservative white and orderly conduct amongst the Student Council. Rhodesian Ian Smith. crowds. Mugabe, too, elated by Robert Kennedy Jr., who is Nkomo came in second with the election returns stated, “This on leave from Virginia Uni 24.1 percent of the votes and 20 is a great moment.” versity Law School gave an im petuous speech touching on Ted Kennedy’s efforts to improve health care in the United States. Inside This Issue “With the exception of South Africa this is the only nation The Olympic Controversy......................................Page 3 where a family has to hear their Statement of Academic Honesty.......................... Page 5 child crying at night and sit up wondering if it is 100, 500 or Opportunities Unlimited........................................ Page 6 1.000 dollars sick”, said Ken nedy. Another area of Kennedy’s Clint Deveaux and Robert Kennedy, Jr. See KENNEDY VISITS, p. 4 Spelman Spotlight March 12, 1980 Page 2 To Be Young, Black, Female — And Afraid To Go To War by Pamela Denise Moore thermore, in the case of the even though t am still searching Associate Editor Iranians, why should I be forced for them. But if mv guest for to participate in a war truth reveals harsh and un As a member of the NOW pleasant realities, I may have to precipitated by the U.S.’s refusal generation and a product of the take a stand that will put me—a to turnover a murderer and thief progress of the sixties, I had small, little, black lady—against to the justice he deserves? And in believed that the sky was my only the might and will of the entire respect to the Afghanistan limit when it came to my personal United States, and my ambitions, situation, does it really make a Editorin-Chief - Rolonda G. Watts and career development. difference for black America if dreams—my entire future would Associate Editor - Pamela Denise Moore Although I was born and raised thus be destroyed by the cruel we are ruled by whites in the U.S. in the heart of cotton country in consequences of such a stand. or whites in Russia? And in terms the Mississippi Delta—where Editors of the impact of war on the black But, in the final analysis, it slavery used to be king—I was Advertising Manager - Phyllis Sawyer community, can we really survive may make no difference in the Art Editor- Ellen Robinson never reallly exposed to the kind another conflict that will deprive world whether I fight to live or Business Manager- Trevonia Brown of life my parents and my parent’s us of more men as well as women, die in order to not fight, for I Angela Nickerson parents knew. Thus, I never knew am just a cog in the Great Circulation Manager - Lavita J ohnson which in essence could be what it was really like to be Wheel of Life. History goes News Editor - Kiron Kanina Skinner another genocidal attempt on our limited from achieving simply on—with or without me—and it Photography Editors - Kirby Ayres race? because of color or sex. Pamela Scott To tell the truth, I do not have is the threat of War that has Public Relations Manager - Sheron Covington As a matter of fact (without the answers to these questions, frightened me to the reality of Religion Editor - Angela Benson bragging), I think that I have this fact. Literary Editor- Michelle Dacus been pretty good at achieving the Photographers - J oe Louis things that I have wanted. Ruth Cauthen What's more, I have been led Kirby Ayres to believe that because I’m black and female, there are more opportunities available to me than ever before. However, with the recent ad vent of the Iranian and Afghanistan crisis—and all of Rise Up Blacks! President Carter’s talk about the By Christopher M. Hamlin Dr. Benjamin E. Mays in his book registration of women for the Disturbed About Man stated that draft, I am slowly learning that I To be the bottom of anything “If we ever reach the goal and may not be the only one who con trols my destiny. to a certain extent is not good. In become satisfied, stagnation sets It has been said that the actual our society, many people are at in and we cease to grow. And chance of women being drafted the bottom. But the time has when satisfaction settles upon us, are slim; however, the mere talk come for Black Americans to we have nothing challenging to of it is enough to send one elevate themselves and rise up. spur us on.” In our world today, through changes. It is true that our world is the Black college student as well Now don’t get me wrong—1 plagued with many problems. as the non-student can not afford have no problems with fighting, Some we will never find a to become satisfied with the way that is, physically fighting in a solution for, but we should not things are. Doing so would be a war. I believe that women should become nor accept a nonchalant form of suicide. fight and defend their country attitude towards them. We Our generation has proved to along with men. should strive to solve our the world that we are a different problems and create a more breed with new ideas, higher Curiously enough, it is the pleasurable and livable society goals and better standards.